Project Background: The Kosovo Youth Council was founded in 1999 in the refugee camps of Albania. They target particularly students in secondary schools (14-19), but also primary schools (10-15) and students. The system is hierarchical, with bigger councils for broader areas (municipal areas, national). They are supported by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. In schools they concentrate on human rights, children’s rights, fight against trafficking and abuse. They explain to young people how they can affect the decision-making process, and have summer planning sessions.

1. In summer sessions, student volunteers can help train secondary school students in activism, proposals and advocacy work.

• Create a newspaper / newsletter detailing local problems and ways to resolve them
• Representing students’ concerns to authorities (local or national), helping them to articulate their concerns
• Show students the benefits of advocacy – private and social benefits. Valon is particularly keen to emphasise the private benefits, such as giving a broader experience and helping to build your capacities and CV. Visits from Oxford students will provide a supportive environment for this.

Ease of implementation: This would require a program to be developed, coordinating with KYC before departure. It would be possible to work on other projects as well as this one on the same volunteering trip.

Skill base of the volunteer required: None. Some experience in advocacy work would be useful.

Development and future opportunities: To be discussed with Valon

Possible Partnerships: OUSU

Possible security and safety concerns: Low if the student is based in safe and secure Pristina. In most locations this is the same. But see general advice if there is proposed movement to North Kosovo.

Last updated: April 26th, 2009