Friendship without borders? Is it possible? Can it be real? Yes, it can! Youth have already proven it! All they needed was the opportunity! They had the will and they were ready for the challenge.
Around 30 young people gather together in a small room, some in tears. It is hot, but the heat is not only from outside - the whole room is filled with emotions. It is the final day of “Friendships without Borders”, a Red Cross summer youth camp that has been held in the Balkans for the last 10 years.
Each year since 1998, Red Cross National Societies in the Balkans have been work together to give youth volunteers the opportunity to spend a memorable week with each other. Each year the camp is focused on different topics that effect Red Cross and Red Crescent youth volunteers, giving them the opportunity to cooperate and prepare for joint activities. The camp is an important opportunity for young Red Cross volunteers to learn about each others differences and similarities. So far, the Red Cross societies of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland have been part of this camp.
“I used to have a prejudice about other nationalities, that all of them were very different to me, but I’ve found the opposite to be the case ” explains Dren Pozhegu, an 18 year old Red Cross Volunteer from Kosovo.
The topics of this year's camp included culture, tolerance and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). During the week the participants received lectures and participated in games to teach the about the issues surrounding these topics. When asked what the most important thing learned during the camp, one of the participants said, “All these people, all these beautiful people have come together and united with one single intention; to make a positive change. I learned that people, joined together, can be an enormous force.”
This year’s camp was held in Struga, Macedonia. For many of the participants it was their first time in this small beautiful country. For others it was not only their first trip to Macedonia, but their first trip out of their home country. One of the aims of “Friendship without Borders” is provide the opportunity for young people to meet their peers from different countries. Although some of the participants live in countries which are physically quite close, there may be a vast distance between their cultures, and this can lead to misconceptions.
During the camp, cross cultural groups were formed with a member of each National Society. Groups made joint commitments - to keep in touch, hold small inter country projects, frequently exchange information, share experiences etc. Also each group made commitments on what they plan to do in the following year, and how to implement the knowledge gained during the camp. This shows that Friendship without borders is more than just a one week camp.
One of the main objectives of Friendship without borders is the promotion of activism. The goal is to inspire young people to make a the first step toward improving the world they live in by making small changes for the benefit of the community in which they live. At the same time the camp offers good training for the future leaders of the Movement.
“This camp helps you open the doors of perception, and see the world as it is, without prejudice. This camp challenges you, encouraging you to go further, to break down barriers and to embrace the fact that friendship both can and should be utterly without borders.”
Ten years of experience has shown that “Friendship without Borders” is a unique project that changes how youth perceive the world. Committed, inspired, enthusiastic and devoted participants continue their work with a different approach following the camp. When fully supported by the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, they can be a powerful force to improve the lives of others. |
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One of the fun activies during the camp was a hockey tournament! Participants found this game, which is uncommon in the region very exciting and enjoyable / Macedonian Red Cross
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Group picture of Friendship without borders 2007 / Macedonian Red Cross
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Three participants prepare a presentation for an IHL workshop / Macedonian Red Cross
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Friendship without borders gives participants a chance to learn about each others cultures, and see how much they have in common / Macedonian Red Cross
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Members of the Red Cross of different National Societies come together to show unity / Macedonian Red Cross
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