“As our staff worked through the summer months preparing the e-bridge digital platform, we dreamed together about how young people would engage with the platform and how it would open new conversations and hopefully help our communities look forward.
There was a new air of optimism in Kosovo as for the first time in the countries short history the national government had a working majority in parliament, a national vaccine programme to tackle COVID had started and our YMCA had reopened with face to face activities over summer. Our friends and partners from YMCA Serbia had visited Prishtina and we were all excited for what was shaping up to be a great winter.
I am often reminded of a quote I heard “peace is a journey not a destination” and as summer came to a close, our plans started to crash.
Firstly due to a summer of too much activity and many Diaspora returning to see loved ones, after being prohibited during lockdown Kosovo was plunged back into restrictions and curfews. Schools and youth centres were closed and we were once again forced to switch digital to keep YMCA members engaged but this time with no clear timeframe or guidance.
Then an old border issue ignited over licence plates between Kosovo and Serbia and those travelling between the two countries were caught up in temporary plates, printed numbers and stickers.
As you read these words most people (especially living in the EU) would wonder why such a thing was an issue- however the smallest of issues here allows political posturing, a chance to assert dominance and to win favour in upcoming municipality elections. Statements were made, tensions raised and security forces put on alert- a wonderful time to initiate a cross-border project.
During the Peace Work Institute a lot of emphasis was put on the “do no harm” approach and organisations like the YMCA who are crossing borders and working in post war regions never really do get the credit they deserve.
Finding that balance between promoting what you are doing and working in broken communities is never easy. We live in an age of fake news and media bias and with many people throughout the world getting their “news” from social media this can all contribute to hate speech/ distrust and a return to certain narratives that fail to move the country forward.
As our YMCA started to promote the e-bridge platform with its matrix theme branding we were met with mixed reaction from some of our volunteers and young leaders, recently our YMCA in Kosovo have been working with YMCA Ireland and we have touched on intergenerational trauma (defined as trauma that gets passed down from those who directly experience an incident to subsequent generations) but as we played the trailer for the e-bridge this was very present- it led to discussions, it led to young people not wanting to be involved, it sparked debates about the recent border issues and the long term issues between countries.
As we reflected as a team on our next steps I was once again reminded that peace is a journey not a destination.
e-bridge teaser trailer
As we plan our next steps and enter the e-bridge together with young people from the region and the Island of Ireland I am reminded that this is just the start and a gateway to further activities, discussions and personal peace journeys.”
By Adi Davies, YMCA Kosovo
Learn more about the “e-bridge” project here.
