The ALDA Summer University organised in Skopje on 17-22 July under the title “Remembrance and intercultural dialogue” was organised by the ALDA-European Association for Local Democracy and supported by the CEI in cooperation with the FON University.
34 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo[1] and France attended the lectures, workshops and field visits in Skopje together with 11 lecturers from the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro and France.
H.E. Christian Thimonier, Ambassador of France in Macedonia mentioned in his opening speech on 18 July that “Remembrance of the sufferings of people in the past is often forgotten. It’s important for us to confront with the remembrance of the past in order to create a European memory during this university “.
The participants enjoyed discovering the history of Skopje, the theories of remembrance and history, examples of youth work for the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the Balkans.
A participant from Montenegro stated that “It was a wonderful experience to hear different perspectives on this topic. Sharing experiences and discovering stories of Skopje was eye-opening. We should really promote exchanges of young people from the Balkans in order to ensure prosperity of the Region”.
This project has contributed towards mutual learning and experience gaining and provided an opportunity to reflect on the past, discuss the current challenges and develop competencies needed to build a future democratic Europe.
This Summer University was co-funded by the CEI Cooperation Fund.
[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
34 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo[1] and France attended the lectures, workshops and field visits in Skopje together with 11 lecturers from the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro and France.
H.E. Christian Thimonier, Ambassador of France in Macedonia mentioned in his opening speech on 18 July that “Remembrance of the sufferings of people in the past is often forgotten. It’s important for us to confront with the remembrance of the past in order to create a European memory during this university “.
The participants enjoyed discovering the history of Skopje, the theories of remembrance and history, examples of youth work for the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the Balkans.
A participant from Montenegro stated that “It was a wonderful experience to hear different perspectives on this topic. Sharing experiences and discovering stories of Skopje was eye-opening. We should really promote exchanges of young people from the Balkans in order to ensure prosperity of the Region”.
This project has contributed towards mutual learning and experience gaining and provided an opportunity to reflect on the past, discuss the current challenges and develop competencies needed to build a future democratic Europe.
This Summer University was co-funded by the CEI Cooperation Fund.
[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.