Generations For Peace, the Jordan-based non-profit peace building organisation, has returned to Skopje with 30 leaders of youth to facilitate a conflict resolution programme utilising sport as a vehicle for peace between ethnic Albanians and Macedonians.

The one-day programme was facilitated by “second generation” Delegates, Frosina Kiprijanovska and Muhamed Duraki, supported by certified Generations For Peace Pioneer Sanja Angelovska. Sensitively facilitated, the activities provide an entry point for engaging children and adolescents in programmes which will educate them and encourage sustained behavioural change.

The training provided leaders of youth with new knowledge, skills and techniques for working with children of different backgrounds and ages, and taught them how to use role play and sport-based games as tools for conflict resolution. These are important skills in a country like the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia where tensions between ethnic Albanians and Macedonians have historically been high and the country was close to civil war in 2001.

Sanja Angelovska, a Delegate at the Generations For Peace Sochi 2010 Camp, expressed her delight at facilitating the programme:

“I am currently in the final stages of my master’s degree in conflict resolution and I am honoured to be part of this programme as it has allowed me to put my theory into practice. The programme has also provided a great opportunity for children and youth from different backgrounds to work together.

“Being active in peace building is a unique opportunity. Youth have the power to make and stimulate change in society and Generations For Peace has recognised this and continues to support and help us engage youth through programmes in our country. This proactive thinking will bring us closer to peace.”

The programme has inspired participants, giving them new tools, techniques and understanding. Muhamed Jashari, who participated in the programme, explains that it has helped his understanding of complex conflict situations:
“I have learnt that conflict is an inevitable part of our lives and can have either positive or negative results. What is most important is that both sides involved in conflict should have a wish to resolve it in a peaceful way, and negotiation is crucial to that”.

Muhamed Duraki, a second generation Delegate and a facilitator on the programme said “The way we approach conflict defines how it will be solved and the more we understand our roles, the sooner we can learn and pass on our knowledge to address the conflicts in our communities. This provides participants with the confidence that they have the capacity and skills to transform conflict”.