SKOPJE – The latest edition of “Peace Broadcasters: Empowering Young Journalists as Peace Reporters,” organized by RYCO in partnership with Deutsche Welle, took place from November 7th to 10th, 2024, in Skopje. This program, designed to strengthen young journalists’ skills in Intercultural Dialogue, Transitional Justice, and Constructive Journalism, brought together 15 promising journalists from across the Western Balkans. The event underscored RYCO’s commitment to equipping youth with the tools to foster peace and regional cooperation through quality journalism.
Over four days, participants engaged in intensive training across three modules. The first day, focused on Intercultural Dialogue and led by experienced trainer in the fields of intercultural cooperation, Mr. Nicolas Moll, guided participants through themes of personal values, cultural understanding, and the challenges of reconciliation. Through interactive exercises, young journalists deepened their intercultural learning and discussed the importance of unbiased reporting in bridging societal divides. Day two introduced participants to Transitional Justice, with Mr. Bekim Blakaj, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Law Center of Kosovo* leading discussions on conflict history, justice mechanisms, and victim reparations. This module offered critical insights into the media’s role in documenting truth and supporting reconciliation in post-conflict societies. The final day, led by Ms. Kristina Ozimec, the president & co-founder of the Platform for investigative journalism and analyses in North Macedonia (PINA), was dedicated to Constructive Journalism and Storytelling, where participants practiced techniques for effective storytelling in the digital age, explored mobile journalism, and crafted impactful, fact-based stories.
This edition of Peace Broadcasters is part of the RYCOGNIZED 2.0 project, funded under the “Enhancing Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in WB6” initiative, which focuses on Youth Peace and Security (YPS) actions in the region. The project amplifies RYCO’s advocacy efforts and institutional capacity in promoting peacebuilding, regional cooperation, and youth empowerment. By nurturing a new generation of journalists, RYCO continues its work to create an environment of peace and mutual understanding in the Western Balkans.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
