Kosovo Youth Summit for Peace Draws Delegates from 33 Countries
- khwang562
- Sep 22, 2025
- 2 min read
Mitrovica, Kosovo – From September 20 to 22, 2025, the city of Mitrovica, Kosovo, became a global beacon of hope as it hosted the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace. Organized by Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) Balkans, in close partnership with UPF- Europe and Middle East, the event brought together more than 120 youth representatives from 33 countries.
The summit was strategically held in Mitrovica, a city symbolically divided by the Ibar River between Serbian and Albanian communities. By bringing "the world to Mitrovica," the organizers aimed to transform this historical site of conflict into a bridge of connection and cooperation.
Day 1: Youth Innovation and Cultural Unity
The summit opened with high-level support from prominent statesmen, including H.E. Alfred Moisiu, former president of Albania, and H.E. Fatmir Sejdiu, former president of Kosovo, who underscored the vital role of youth in regional peacebuilding. Local mayors from South Mitrovica, North Mitrovica, and Preševa also participated, highlighting the necessity of intermunicipal cooperation.
A centerpiece of the first day was the S!NERGY Youth Innovation Forum, where young innovators from seven countries – Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Hungary, and the United Kingdom – presented creative solutions for education, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The day concluded with a "Peace Through My Culture" night, where artistic performances from diverse traditions demonstrated that culture is one of the strongest bridges between divided communities.
Day 2: Governance, Integrity, and Healing
The second day focused on the pillars of long-term stability: governance, integrity, and post-conflict recovery.
Youth in Governance: Former ministers and UN representatives discussed how young people can transition from being policy beneficiaries to policy architects.
Culture of Integrity: Experts from the UNODC joined panels to discuss combating corruption through education and transparency.
Post-Conflict Recovery: A poignant session on mental health and dialogue addressed the "invisible wounds" of trauma and social exclusion in post-conflict societies.
Participants engaged in an Action Lab led by Ms. Sandra Karagezian-Skrodzki and Dr. Rudina Çollaku, where they developed practical proposals such as interethnic art workshops and mobile listening spaces to foster community healing.
Day 3: The Peace Road Initiative
The summit culminated in a symbolic Peace Road event. Participants joined a "Youth Ride for Reconciliation," crossing the Ibar Bridge to demonstrate unity and solidarity. This global initiative uses shared physical action to promote peace across historically divided sites.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Ms. Ejona Icka, UN coordinator of IAYSP EUME and executive director of IAYSP Balkans, noted that the summit succeeded in creating a platform for youth from both sides of Mitrovica to contribute to lasting peace through dialogue and shared experience. By drawing parallels with other conflict regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East, the summit underscored that the lessons learned in the Balkans have universal relevance.
UPF and YSP remain committed to supporting these young leaders as they return to their nations, ensuring that the projects and partnerships formed in Mitrovica leave a lasting legacy of stability and inclusion across the region.
