Being an activist is an ongoing effort. It is a persistent journey towards social justice and equality, bringing about change while also demanding a challenging commitment. It requires continuously nurturing faith in change and finding the strength to stay engaged. Our concerns take on deeper significance when we present them to our local or broader community, giving them a powerful voice that resonates and drives change. Together in our journey as young men and women, I believe activism starts with a desire to play a role in society. Simultaneously, it begins with questions and concerns about why things are the way they are, or whether they should remain so.

When we partake in activities that touch on topics we like, that attract our attention and preoccupy us, we deepen our knowledge of those subjects. Often, these topics become integral to our identity, shaping who we are. They become issues with which we identify and with which others also associate us.

However, these actions can also become the basis for others to view us negatively, assigning nicknames and showing contempt. No matter how noble our goals may seem to us, or how important it is for us to express our dissatisfaction, we often face misunderstandings and lack of support. These challenges make it difficult for us to pave the way and advance our initiatives.

An often misunderstood issue, in my opinion, is activist engagement in initiatives aimed at fostering peace between Kosovo and Serbia. The assumption sometimes made is that we activists are working against our own state’s interests.

Curiosity and zeal for knowledge

My activism began with a curiosity to better understand peacebuilding within a cultural context and a desire to connect with new people. One of the first forms of activism I participated in was fostering connections between young people from Serbia and Kosovo.

Various organizations in Kosovo, in collaboration with counterparts from other Balkan countries, organize training sessions, conferences, workshops and visits aimed at connecting societies emerging from war and conflict through shared discussions and exchange of experiences.

The first dialogue I participated in between young people from Kosovo and Serbia was in the spring of 2021, marking the beginning of an ongoing journey. The Youth Initiative for Human Rights organized a three-day meeting for us to share our memories, whether they were personal experiences or the accounts from our relatives about the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo.

It was one of the first times I found myself in a room with citizens from different ethnic communities in Kosovo, where we talked but, above all, listened to their stories. It was also one of the first occasions we engaged in discussions with young people from Serbia about these memories. Each story was unique and evoked strong emotions in the room — teary eyes and growing empathy towards each other. This exchange nurtured stronger, more unified bonds among us. Experiencing these stories first hand made me realize the profound impact war has left behind.

These intense emotions shook me and prompted the question: Why aren’t we discussing these issues more openly among ourselves?

Perhaps this experience wasn’t intended to kickstart my activism in this field, but it marked the beginning of an ambition to learn more, to speak and listen — to truly understand what peace entails. Participating in the process of shaping our understanding of peace itself — a concept often discussed abstractly without much tangible institutional action — has been enlightening. It’s about providing people with the opportunity to discuss their expectations and needs for healing and forging their own path to peace.

The enthusiasm of other young men and women who have also chosen this path of activism has been a driving force to continue. This level of dedication to the cause is crucial, particularly for young activists.

Another significant event that played a pivotal role in my activism journey and taught me more about peacebuilding processes is a long-term project involving Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The project began with an initial meeting in December 2022, where 20 representatives from each country gathered to share their experiences. This collaboration continued until March 2024.

One of the program’s strengths was its duration, which allowed us enough time to discuss our concerns about our respective countries and develop more stable connections and comprehensive strategies to address the obstacles to peace. It provided us with the opportunity to better leverage the factors that support peacebuilding in our countries.

Politics, culture and the education system were among the main topics of the meetings. Additionally, we examined the forms and sources from which we receive information, particularly scrutinizing media coverage and hate speech, which persists. Opinions regarding how our political leaders influence regional peace and stability varied significantly among participants from the three countries. There were also some perspectives and comments that only presented one side of the coin. It was sometimes jarring to hear versions of what is considered reality from another country, where versions of events or facts differed drastically from your own country. This was itself a valuable and enlightening experience.

We talked about ongoing changes and developments in political, economic and other areas related to the role of the government, where we do not necessarily have the ability to change the course of events and processes. Our limitations as activists in this area are obvious, but our form of involvement is our activism, and it is enough, as long as it is vocal, continuous and felt.

Sharing experiences on a deep level with people who come from different backgrounds and hold different opinions, has broadened my horizons and made me more open-minded. At the same time, it was not always pleasant to talk to someone who I know holds a worldview quite different from mine, but this diversity also enriches our thoughts. Such interactions are often part of the activist’s journey — engaging in conversations where perspectives on the past and the history of the region and beyond collide. It is crucial to listen and learn how our worldviews are shaped. This is how we can challenge the narratives that do not serve us. Our open-mindedness and constant pursuit of new knowledge is central to our activism.

Feature Image: K2.0