21.11.2023. » 14:14 | ACDC

Conference on human rights and youth education

On November 20, at the EU House in North Mitrovica, NGO ACDC held a conference on human rights and youth education, aiming to raise awareness about human rights issues in Kosovo, particularly focusing on educating youth. It also aimed to provide insights into the state of human rights through the presentation of the Joint CSO Report for 2022 and address key topics such as the status of children and youth, youth education, and digital security.

Panelists at the conference included: Miljan Stanisic, Program Manager at Domovik, Blende Pira, Program Coordinator at YIHR, and Ines Aljović Mihajlović, Project Manager at ACDC.

At the beginning of the conference, Ines Aljovic Mihajlovic presented a project funded by CDF through the HumanRightivism program, emphasizing the importance of respecting human rights and educating youth about them, and showcasing the project's activities, initiatives, and their impact.

Blende Pira, Program Coordinator at YIHR, presented the Human Rights Report for 2022 as part of the Joint CSO Report on Human Rights for 2022, offering a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in Kosovo. The Civil Society Report on Human Rights in Kosovo provides an overview of the human rights situation in Kosovo during 2022, including the main problems, human rights violations, and challenges to realizing human rights. Mrs. Pira noted that the report also provides recommendations for improving human rights, indicating that institutions have shown limited progress in protecting the rights of marginalized groups and non-majority communities. She mentioned that the report for 2023 is currently in progress, with the process for this year already underway.

Miljan Stanisic from Domovik discussed the improvement of children's status, emphasizing that Kosovo's laws effectively define protection mechanisms. However, he stressed that enhancing the status of children should not be solely assessed through legislation but by examining on-the-ground needs. Miljan also addressed peer and digital violence, emphasizing society's need to promote true values and build an inclusive society. He highlighted Domovik's peer mediation as a model for preventing violence, noting that social networks and modern technology make these issues more visible. As technology continues to play a significant role in their lives, ensuring a safe and secure digital environment is paramount for the well-being of the younger generation.

Panelists stressed the need for comprehensive educational initiatives that empower young individuals with knowledge and awareness of their rights. The significance of human rights education was underscored as a means to foster a culture of respect, understanding, and advocacy for human rights.

The conference was organized as part of the project funded by Community Development Fund, through HumanRightivism program, funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – Sida.