OSCE concludes 10th jubilee edition of Dialogue Academy for Young Women
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Serbia, concluded on 21 October 2024 the 10th edition of the Dialogue Academy for Young Women from Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade, marking a decade long of successes in forging bridges between societies, fostering inter-personal relationships and strengthening women’s solidarity.
Building on previous editions, the 2024 Dialogue Academy brought together 24 young women for a 10-day intensive programme centred around dialogue, mediation and the key role of women in advancing trust and peace-building. It included interactive sessions and discussions involving guests from various fields and regions who inspired multi-faceted and comprehensive reflections, also taking into consideration different historical and geographical contexts and perspectives.
“Creating safe spaces where participants can express themselves openly, explore common ground, and navigate sensitive discussions are critical for building trust, mutual respect, and a sense of community, laying a good foundation for overcoming divisions,” said Cornelia Taylor, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “The Dialogue Academy has been doing this consistently for 10 years now, equipping these young women with important perspectives, while at the same time empowering them to become future leaders and agents of change,” she added.
As part of the programme, participants heard the personal story of a former Irish Republican Army combatant, watched a poignant testimony of persons divided by the iron curtain, engaged in discussions with OSCE gender officials, and gained insights from a women peace-builder who dedicated her life to uniting women in Cyprus, gaining profound perspectives on challenges and opportunities in fostering peace and dialogue. They also heard from Liliana Pahilovici, Special Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Gender, Teuta Sahatqija, Gordana Čomić and Marija Obradović, “Follow-Us Initiative” members, and MP Mimoza Kusari-Lila.
Speaking about her experience at the Academy, Una Danilović, participant from Belgrade, said: "The safe space that we managed to build over the past 10 days allowed me to talk about the past and address difficult topics with the other participants without fear or hesitation. Supporting each other, we created a collective voice that has the potential to set a different and more inclusive narrative in our communities.”
“You think you know all there is to know of the other side, and when you meet them, you realize you barely knew anything at all. You see them for who they truly are - amazing young women that will change the world. The Dialogue Academy taught me it's easy to look through the lenses of history and politics - it's using the lenses of peace that's the tricky part,” Amina Kaja, participant from Prishtinë/Priština said.
Taking place in Gorizia (Italy) - Nova Gorica (Slovenia), the programme also included specific sessions on the recent past of this historically divided territory, as well as forward-looking discussions on possibilities for fostering co-operation for a shared and common future.
The 2024 jubilee programme concluded with a final event celebrating the OSCE’s commitment to advancing women’s contribution to dialogue and trust-building, and highlighting the invaluable contributions of prominent women, experts, and Dialogue Academy alumnae, who have shaped the Academy into what it is today: a transformative journey that fosters lasting positive change at both personal and societal levels.