YSP Balkan - Youth and Students for Peace

YSP Balkan - Youth and Students for Peace IAYSP holds Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
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In the framework of preparations for the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2026, the Executive Director of YSP...
31/07/2026

In the framework of preparations for the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2026, the Executive Director of YSP Balkan, Prof. Ejona Icka, was received in an official meeting by H.E. Reiner Rudolph, the Ambassador of Germany to Kosovo.

Applications are officially OPEN for the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2026!From 1–4 October 2026, Mitrovi...
30/06/2026

Applications are officially OPEN for the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2026!

From 1–4 October 2026, Mitrovica, Kosova will once again become a meeting point for the world, bringing together 120 young leaders from more than 40 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Following the remarkable success of BIYSP 2025 which united 120 young people from 33+ countries alongside presidents, mayors, academics, civil society leaders, NGOs, and changemakers. Through dialogue, intercultural exchange, Action Labs, and youth-led initiatives, the Summit strengthened cooperation, mutual understanding, and peacebuilding among young people from diverse backgrounds.

This year, participants will engage in meaningful discussions on:

🔹 Good Governance & Democratic Participation
🔹 Anti-Corruption & Integrity
🔹 Mental Health & Youth Wellbeing
🔹 Disinformation & Hate Speech
🔹 Peacebuilding, Reconciliation & Social Cohesion

Through high-level panels, intercultural dialogue, hands-on workshops, and youth-led innovation labs, participants will collaborate with policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and community leaders to develop practical responses to some of the most pressing challenges facing our societies today.

In a city that symbolizes both division and hope, BIYSP 2026 creates a unique space where dialogue becomes understanding, understanding becomes cooperation, and cooperation becomes lasting peace.

🌐 Are you ready to become part of a global network of young peacebuilders and changemakers?

📍 Mitrovica, Kosova
📅 1–4 October 2026

Apply now and join us in shaping a more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive future.

Link: https://www.ysp-balkan.org/youth-summit/2026-edition-of-youth-summit-for-peace (Link in Bio).

YSP Balkan was one of the organizing partners of the Balkan Leadership Conference 2026; Organized by the International A...
28/06/2026

YSP Balkan was one of the organizing partners of the Balkan Leadership Conference 2026; Organized by the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), held at the Parliament of Albania in Tirana under the theme “Media Freedom, Democracy, and Digital Governance in the Western Balkans.”

Bringing together over 80 parliamentarians, policymakers, media professionals, academics, and civil society leaders from across the Balkans and Europe, the conference created an important platform for dialogue on democratic governance, media freedom, digital transformation, and regional cooperation.

Representing YSP Balkan, our Executive Director, Ms. Ejona Icka, took part in the conference discussions and was honored with a Recognition Award for her contribution to advancing peace, youth engagement, and regional cooperation. This recognition reflects not only her personal dedication but also YSP Balkan’s continued commitment to empowering young people and fostering dialogue across the Balkans.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the organizers and partners for bringing together voices committed to shaping a more democratic, peaceful, and connected Balkans.

During this week, the Director of YSP Balkan and UN Coordinator for IAYSP Europe and the Middle East (IAYSP EUME), Prof....
06/06/2026

During this week, the Director of YSP Balkan and UN Coordinator for IAYSP Europe and the Middle East (IAYSP EUME), Prof. Ejona Icka, participated in the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) Week, engaging in a series of high-level side events focused on youth empowerment, crime prevention, and anti-corruption education.

She served as both moderator and panelist in the IAYSP EUME side event on: “Empowering Youth through Education for Crime Prevention and Anti-Corruption.”

She also participated as a panelist in the UPF Europe and the Middle East side event on: “The Relevance of Interreligious Cooperation for Crime Prevention.”

In addition, she delivered a presentation on a peace project focused on anti-corruption education, highlighting practical approaches to strengthening integrity through education and youth engagement.

During these events she was accompanied by the Programs Coordinator of YSP Balkan in North Macedonia, Ms. Amra Azizi, who also contributed as a panelist in the IAYSP EUME side event, further strengthening regional youth representation and collaboration.

A meaningful week of global dialogue at the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) Week, contributing to youth inclusion, education, and peacebuilding efforts, while also representing the voices of the Balkan youth on international platforms.

01/06/2026

🌍 Empowering Youth through Education for Crime Prevention and Anti-Corruption

IAYSP Europe and Middle East (IAYSP EUME), with the support of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), is honored to host a side event at the 35th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna.

📅 2 June 2026 | 🕦 11:30–12:30 CET | 📍 VIC Room M5

The event will explore how education can empower young people to become active contributors to crime prevention, anti-corruption efforts, and the promotion of integrity and transparency in society.

🎤 Moderator: Dr. Ejona Icka (IAYSP EUME UN Coordinator)

🎙️ Speakers: • Viktorija Nesterovaite (UNODC)
• Prof. Dr. Li Jing Zhu (World Psychiatric Association)
• Amra Azizi (YSP North Macedonia)
• Maha Dabirian (Peace Designer Training Graduate, Austria)
• Hussein Adeleye (ANEEJ, Nigeria)

Join us as we bring together experts, civil society representatives, and youth leaders to discuss innovative approaches to youth engagement and crime prevention.

This May 1st, we celebrate the power, resilience, and dignity of work.At YSP Balkan, we believe that young people are no...
01/05/2026

This May 1st, we celebrate the power, resilience, and dignity of work.

At YSP Balkan, we believe that young people are not just the future of the workforce, they are the drivers of peace, progress, and transformation today. Through our work with youth and students across the region, we continue to empower voices that build bridges, foster dialogue, and shape a more just and peaceful society.

Behind every achievement stands effort. Behind every change stands courage.

Let’s keep working for impact, for unity, and for a better future.

YSP Balkan, is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Tetova.This partnersh...
17/04/2026

YSP Balkan, is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Tetova.

This partnership marks an important step in strengthening youth empowerment, education, and regional collaboration across the Balkans. Through this agreement, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for young people through joint educational, social, and community-driven initiatives.

For Tetova and North Macedonia, this cooperation contributes to building a more inclusive and youth-driven society, while at the regional level, it reinforces our shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and sustainable development.

Executive Director of YSP Balkan, Prof. Ejona Icka, emphasized that this partnership opens new pathways for empowering youth and developing impactful initiatives that address real community needes. Additionaly the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, highlighted that such collaborations enhance the university’s international engagement and create valuable opportunities for students and academic staff.

On this meeting, a Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed between the University of Tetova and the Universal Peace Federation Albania, represented by Mr. Gani Rroshi Secretary General of UPF, with a focus on promoting a culture of peace and fostering cooperation through education, dialogue, and community initiatives.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr. Afet Mamuti for his continuous support and cooperation in organizing and implementing joint activities, which made this partnership possible.

The Final Event of the Peace Designer Training marked the successful conclusion of a four-month journey empowering youth...
04/04/2026

The Final Event of the Peace Designer Training marked the successful conclusion of a four-month journey empowering youth with practical skills in peacebuilding and project development through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This training was organized by YSP Balkan in partership with UBT International Smart Schools.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Shqipe Agushi, Vice Principal of UBT High School, and Prof. Ejona Icka, Executive Director of YSP Balkan, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in building sustainable peace. An introduction to IAYSP EUME and YSP Balkan followed, presenting our vision, mission, key activities and achievements over the years.

During the core segment, student groups presented three projects, each addressing specific SDGs and societal challenges:
• YSPOSITIVITY – SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Promoting Equality in Education through Enhancing Student Motivation – SDG 4: Quality Education
• Disconnect to Reconnect – SDG 4: Quality Education

The projects were evaluated by a professional jury composed of Prof. Shqipe Agushi, Vice Principal of UBT High School, Prof. Dr. Denis Çelçima, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at UBT, and Prof. Mentor Bici, Quality Assurance Officer at UBT High School, who focused on the sustainability of the projects, their relevance to societal challenges, and the creativity and feasibility of the proposed ideas.

The winning project was “Disconnect to Reconnect”, tackling excessive social media use among adolescents (12–14) by promoting offline activities to strengthen real-life connections and healthier digital habits.

The event concluded with the certification of the training participants and a group photo.

Yesterday we marked the final event of the INNOV8PEACE Project - Design Thinking for Youth Peace Building, implemented b...
25/03/2026

Yesterday we marked the final event of the INNOV8PEACE Project - Design Thinking for Youth Peace Building, implemented by IAYSP Europe and the Middle East (EUME) in cooperation with the University of Tetova, co-funded by the EU. The conference “From Youth Initiatives to Sustainable Peace” was held at the University of Tetova, bringing together distinguished leaders, academics, and peace advocates.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, Rector of the University of Tetova, followed by Ms. Olga Borodankova, Sector Manager for Education and Youth at the Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Jacques Marion, President of UPF Europe and the Middle East and Ms. Ejona Icka, UN Coordinator of IAYSP Europe and the Middle East. The first session continued with a panel discussion featuring Ms. Klaida Gjosha, former Minister of European Integration of Albania; Mr. Fatmir Xheladini, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Tetova and former Ambassador of North Macedonia to China and Poland; Mr. Gani Rroshi, President of UPF for the Balkans; and Mr. Qebir Avziu, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Tetova. Their reflections emphasized the vital role of youth engagement in times when peace remains fragile. A particularly meaningful moment of the conference was the “Appointment of Ambassadors for Peace”, accompanied by greeting remarks from the President of UPF Albania, Mr. Defrim Methasani, where 4 new Ambassadors for Peace were officially recognized for their contributions to promoting peace, dialogue, and social progress.

A central part of the conference was the Second Session, dedicated to youth-led initiatives developed through the INNOV8PEACE training. During this session, participants were introduced to IAYSP Europe and the Middle East and the INNOV8PEACE Project, followed by the presentation of impactful student-led initiatives, such as “Deprivation as an Invisible Wound” by Ms. Hafsa Ibishi, “Education on Anti-Corruption” by Mr. Mumin Osmani, and “Education of Children with Special Needs in Their Mother Tongue” by Ms. Elmira Amiti.

The conference marked the end of a day focused on dialogue, collaboration, and youth-driven contributions toward sustainable peace.

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St. Vasil Andoni Nr 32
Pristina

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