BERAT- The 9th edition of the Youth Trail, titled “Fostering Dialogue between Youth and Decision-Making Institutions,” was successfully organized by the OSCE Mission in Albania and RYCO Local Branch Office Albania from July 13-15, 2023, in the city of Berat.
Sixteen Albanian participants, including OSCE Youth Advisory Group members, alumni, and RYCO youth activists, gathered in Berat for this significant activity. Facilitated by experts in communication and youth affairs, the primary aim of this initiative was to create a conducive environment for participants to engage in discussions and further explore the practical recommendations and outcomes generated in previous Youth Trail activities, mainly conducted between 2021 and 2022 on the topics of Media, Security, engagement in environmental governance, and Cultural Heritage.
Ms. Alba Brojka, the Head of RYCO’s Local Branch Office in Albania, shared valuable insights about RYCO’s engagement with youth stakeholders in Albania and the Western Balkans region. She also highlighted our contributions to youth policy development. Adding to that, Ms. Flutura Brakaj, the Local Program Officer, provided her perspective on the Youth Trails, shedding light on their purpose, history, and regional impact since 2017.
The Youth Trail event placed great emphasis on collaborative efforts to create specific information and structure, intended for presentation to the Albanian Parliament. This activity served as a crucial preparation stage to translate these recommendations into practical and valuable resources for decision-makers. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a concrete meeting scheduled for September 2023, underlying the collaboration and partnerships between youth representatives and parliamentarians.
Since 2017, the Youth Trails have been the flagship activities of the OSCE and RYCO LBO in Albania. The program’s activities are designed to promote mutual learning and development among Albanian youth and their peers from the Western Balkans, with the ultimate goal of building democratic societies, peace, and security in the region.