Some 400 people celebrated
the grand opening of the International Rescue Committee's (IRC)
new youth center at the Boro and Ramizi complex in downtown Pristina
Saturday night. Festivities included a festival of classical, rock,
and jazz music, food and refreshments, and speeches from local and
international dignitaries.
The opening marks the culmination of a network of youth centers
the IRC has established throughout Kosovo. Since November 1999,
the IRC has been operating youth centers in Prizren and Gnjilane
and in March, a center opened in Pec. The new center in Pristina
was funded by UNICEF, United Hebrew Congregations and UNESCO.
Christine Ash, IRC Pristina youth center manager, was surprised
by the tremendous show of interest and support. "Clearly, the youth
center is already a big success in the community," she said. "The
facilities are in place, programming will begin this week, but based
on youth interest so far, all of that will be icing on the cake."
The programs and facilities are likely to make the center even
more popular.
IRC Youth Center in Prishtina
Centrally located in the heart of the capitol, the center will
be the largest in Kosovo. It has a large common room equipped with
a stereo, television, and library, a computer lab of 30 computers,
24 hour Internet access, counseling and meeting rooms, and use of
the theater and performing arts facilities next door.
The center will provide sports and recreation activities and offer
classes in fine arts, performing arts, and music. Computer training,
Internet access and the development of a Pristina youth center website
are set to begin, as are language classes in English, French, Spanish
and German.
The Pristina center, like all IRC youth centers, will conduct satellite
and outreach programs to surrounding rural communities, and encourage
the participation of youth from every ethnic and minority group.
By helping youth face life challenges, and particularly Kosovar
youth coping with life in the aftermath of war, the goal of the
IRC youth centers is to provide safe havens and to cultivate an
environment in which the qualities of tolerance, respect, safety
and stability thrive.
Christine Ash also expects the center to become a resource for
all formal and informal youth groups in the area. "The youth center,"
she explains, "builds upon the tremendous personal assets of adolescents
and youth. And when we reinforce the positive side of things, through
programs and activities, youth really thrive."
Building the Personal Assets of Kosovar Youth
Building self-esteem, teaching leadership skills, providing support
and encouragement, and training in essential life-skills, the IRC
youth centers also strive to help Kosovar youth build a better future.
Apprenticeship programs with local businesses and organizations
provide important opportunities for youth. For example, local radio
stations, television, and newspapers offer training programs and
have given youth their own programming time. Small businesses, restaurants,
construction and engineering companies, and others help youth build
skills and learn trades.
IRC Youth Centers as Focal Points
The centers also serve as focal points for other community initiated
activities, such as sports events, cultural festivals, social services
and school curricula. As the centers develop, the IRC will expand
its computer capacity, not only offering Internet access and email
but also video conferencing as part of a Balkan-wide youth center
network.
