On 9th of December, the Salon with Youth on the topic “Youth in decision making – Challenges of inclusion during the period with Covid-19 in the Municipality of Ferizaj” was held. Part of the panel were: Florina Ujupi, Executive Director, NGO Nisja, Zhvillohu, Ferizaj, Agon Zhinipotoku, Head of Sector, Municipality of Ferizaj and Vullnet Ilazi, President, Youth Assembly, Ferizaj.
The year 2020 was characterized by many difficulties for all spheres of life, and among other things these difficulties appeared in the activities that the youth performs during the year. Due to the measures and restrictions imposed by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in agreement with the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, many of these activities were reduced and even banned. The only activities held this year were those carried out in a virtual form, or activities which did not require a large number of young people to participate.
Mr. Zhinipotoku emphasized that in the Municipality of Ferizaj were held activities during June as a result of the release of restrictive measures by the Government, but all were activities in open spaces such as art exhibition in the town square, consultative meetings with young people, activities voluntary as the distribution of masks and disinfectants to citizens, etc,.
Among the difficulties, was mentioned the attendance of learning process by children and youth of this municipality where Mrs. Ujupi expressed her concern towards this aspect. The transition from the system of previous years to an online system as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic presented young people with many problems, both materially and adaptively. While during this time there have been activities with young people who are always volunteers for their implementation in the Municipality of Ferizaj, in cooperation with non-governmental organizations.
Mr. Ilazi as President of the Youth Assembly of the Municipality of Ferizaj talked to fellow panelists and virtual participants about the work of this body during the pandemic. The activities of the Youth Assembly were reduced and mainly kept in a virtual form, avoiding the gathering of young people. In this context, as an official representative of the youth, he expressed his concern about the lack of youth centers and spaces which would enable the holding of activities in an adequate and functional way.
This salon was moderated by Lorita Rama, President, KVRL Ferizaj, from which the editorial will be written.
