YMCA Kosovo convenes the public, private and civil society sectors in Pristina

Topic: YMCA-General

Date: 06 March 2024

Marking the end of the 2024 YMCA National General Secretaries conference, YMCA Kosovo organised a ‘Celebration of Youth’ event in Pristina on Thursday 29 February.

A local band sang the YMCA song, young volunteers and supportive municipalities were given awards, and the UN Resident Coordinator Arnhild Spence, EU Ambassador Tomas Szunyog and US Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier gave addresses. These followed words of welcome from Elda Brada, Petrit Bejdoni and Dorina Lluka Davies of YMCA Kosovo, and Carlos Sanvee of World YMCA.

“I virtually grew up in the Whatcom Family YMCA in Bellingham in Washington State, US, and my mother still goes there every day. I learned to swim at the Y, I learned leadership and service at the Y. At 17, I sat as the youth member on the Board of the Y. I learned the value of my skills and the value of others’ skills at the Y."

"My friends, never doubt the wonderful effect the Y can and does have on young people all over the world. And they may not remember to say thank you aged 9, or 12, or 15 - but they will never forget you later in life.”

Jeffrey Hovenier

US Ambassador, Pristina, 29 February 2024