GUSINJE – RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro in partnership with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs and with the support of the Embassy of the French Republic in Montenegro organized a two-day camp in Gusinje “A Better Region Starts with YOUth” on 11 – 12 June where they discussed youth activism, entrepreneurship and regional cooperation, but also shared their impressions from RYCO youth exchanges.
The camp’s opening ceremony kicked off with the introductory speeches delivered by Ambassador of the French Republic H. E. Ms Christine Toudic and RYCO Local Branch Officer in Montenegro Mr Edin Koljenović. They both highlighted the importance of the implementation of youth exchange programs, as well as networking between young people in the Western Balkans but also within their own societies.
The two-day camp gathered high school students from several Montenegrin municipalities such as Nikšić, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Plav and Gusinje. Students of the Secondary Economic and Catering School from Nikšić and the Secondary Vocational School from Berane who were participating in the first youth exchange programs supported by RYCO attended the event, too.
The participants had the opportunity to attend a number of workshops dealing with topics such as youth civic activism, youth entrepreneurship and networking opportunities in the regional context. Furthermore, they also had the opportunity to learn more about activities and opportunities for young people that the French Institute and French Cultural Centre in Montenegro offer.
Finally, a special session was conducted by the participants of the first RYCO youth exchanges where they motivatingly shared their impressions from the exchanges with their peers. Their speeches reflected sincere emotions provoked by beautiful memories, encouraging the rest of the youth audience to take part in such or similar projects conducted by RYCO and its partners in the future.
