TinE Summer Camp 2018

The purpose of the camp was bringing together young people from the Western Balkans while providing them with the opportunity to interactively learn the main principles of social democracy. The camp aimed at encouraging youth to discuss and formulate ideas towards a more just society under the auspices of European integration, which also was the focus of the camp this year.

After a welcome note by Mariola Qesaraku from the FES Tirana office, Frank Morawietz, from th Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW), held a presentation on intercultural communication in the Western Balkans, while guiding participants in small work groups through simulation and discussions on the importance of intercultural understanding. This was followed by a lecture from Eugen Musta from the University of Marin Barleti on the challenges social democracy today is facing in the wake of neoliberalism. Frank Hantke, director of the FES office in Prishtina talked about the possibility of social democracy existing without democracy. Deputy Minister of Educationm Shpati Kolgega talked about the European perspective of the Western Balkans within the Berlin process and RYCO. Teuta Hodo, Deputy Minister of Justice talked about the impact of progressive youth politics on democracy and the fight against corruption mostly in Albania’s education system. Besjan Pesha, an activist of the Hashtag Initiative from Albania spoke of concrete examples on how civil society can actively engage and have a societal impact.

Once again TinE proved itself to be an important platform of exchange on social issues, youth unemployment, education, while improving mutual understanding and cultural diversity among participants. It also showed that it is fruitful for participants who learned about the values of social democracy, youth challenges in the region and European integration.