In October a youth exchange between Serbia, Kosovo and Sweden is being organized. The organizers hope the exchange will bring the countries closer together.
In October 2014, a national football match between Albania and Serbia spurs out of control and supporters invade the football field. Because of the tensions between the countries, which were accentuated during the match, the organisation FOTA now choose to organise an exchange between youths from Serbia, Kosovo and Sweden. It will take be held between 20-27 October, and be called “For better unity, active in our community”.
“People will be able to meet no matter what cultural background they have”, says Míša Rábová, a former Master student of Visual Culture at Lund University, and Organisation Developer at FOTA.
Workshops to build bridges
The exchange will take place in Scania in October this year. Míša Rábová points out the purpose is not to be a week of peace talks. Instead there will be different workshops in the field of entrepreneurship and inspiration.
“The goal is to create bridges between young people in Scandinavia and the Balkans. We try to see this as a mutual exchange and not as a ‘you are helping them’ situation”, she says.
Six youths and five leaders
A total of 18 youths from the three countries will, together with five leaders, live in a scout lodge in Torna-Hällestad. There they will experience and explore the diversity of each other’s culture. The theme is social growth, and the different workshops will among other things be about unemployment for young people, racism in society and the discrimination of women.
Photo caption: Míša Rábová, Organisation Developer at FOTA. Photo: Casper Danielsson
In Sweden there is currently a flow of youths from different countries, and Míša Rábová feel that the problems the Balkans face could be implemented in Sweden.
“So we bring these three groups together and start a conversation about society, a topic which affects everyone and where many are experiencing similar problems”, she says.
The Balkans – trouble brewing
Míša Rábová says that after the football match she saw a lot of hate and nationalism from her Albanian friends on her Facebook feed.
“It is no coincidence we have chosen this subject and these countries. There is trouble brewing in the Balkans, and we ought to at least try to initiate a dialogue”, she says.
LU Open is organising one day
One of the exchange days will be organized by Lund University’s Social Centre for Innovation, LU Open, with lectures and a guided tour at Ideon.
“The ambition is that everyone will seize this information and then bring it home with them”, says Míša Rábová.
For those living in Sweden, applying is open for everyone in the age group of 16 – 25. The week, with everything included, will be free. The last application date is 30 September, and sent to info@fotaorg.se.
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
