Skopje – On July 16, 2024, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) held a significant event titled “The Role of Media in Promoting the Berlin Process – A Decade On” in Skopje. This event also marked the closing of the Peace Broadcasters program, a key initiative aimed at empowering young journalists in the Western Balkans.
The event opened with remarks by Vladimir Gjorgjevski, Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Skopje, was followed by welcoming remarks from Albert Hani, Secretary General of RYCO, Kevin Maass, Press Secretary at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Skopje and Adelheid Feilcke, Director of Programs for Europe at Deutsche Welle. These speeches underscored the importance of the Berlin Process in fostering regional cooperation and peacebuilding, as well as the crucial role that media plays in these endeavours.
“We as Deutsche Welle have been active in the Western Balkans with our daily programming in Albanian, Macedonian, Serbian, Croation and Bosnian for decades now -and specifically following and covering the Berlin Process since its beginning. With RYCO we have a very close and trusted cooperation since its beginning and I am very happy that in 2022 we have been actively involved in the creation of the project for peace broadcasting. This year we will again publish some of the best articles.”
– addressed in her remarks Director of Programs for Europe at Deutsche Welle.
The highlight of the evening was the panel discussion on “The Role of Media in the Berlin Process – Peacebuilding and Regional Cooperation through Journalism.” Moderated by Agim Selami, Founder and Executive Director of the ZIP Institute, the discussion featured distinguished panelists: Ivana Stevanović, Executive Director of the Slavko Curuvija Foundation; Besnik Tahiri, Journalist at Klan Kosova; Azem Kurtic, Correspondent for BiH at Balkan Insight; Ognen Janeski, Journalist; and Krenare Gashi Krasniqi, Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Prishtina. The panelists delved into the past decade of the Berlin Process, discussing the influence of media coverage on public perception, key achievements, and the role of journalists in peacebuilding efforts. They also explored the challenges faced by journalists in this context and shared success stories of cross-border journalistic collaborations.
Following the engaging discussion, the event proceeded with the awarding of the best stories prepared by the participants of the Peace Broadcasters program. This segment celebrated the outstanding journalistic work produced during the program and highlighted the program’s success in enhancing the skills and knowledge of young journalists in the region.
The winners and their compelling stories, soon to be published in Deutsche Welle channels and other local media, include:
1. “Berlin Process Agreements: Are They Still Stuck on Paper?” by Afrodita Ramos, Geri Kolgega & Rialda Ramusović;
2. “Closed Doors of Institutions in Kosovo and Albania to Employ Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Communities,” by Gentiana Ahmeti & Oriada Dajko;
3. “So Close, but Yet So Far Away” by Alexia Malaj & Nina Šćepanović; and
4. “The Voice of the Youth: Activism and Change in the Balkans” by Nusrah Hadžić & Filip Došljak.
The evening concluded with a reception and networking session, providing attendees with the opportunity to connect and discuss the insights shared during the event. This gathering not only commemorated the achievements of the Berlin Process over the past decade but also set the stage for future media collaboration in promoting peace and regional cooperation.
