Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders: A Two-Day Journey into Public Safety and Youth Empowerment
To strengthen co-operation between youth and public safety institutions, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS), Kosovo Police, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) organized a two-day event for 36 primary and upper secondary school pupils. The students learned about the daily work and responsibilities of KAPS and Kosovo Police officers, explored key challenges facing youth like drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, and gained insights on how to recognize, prevent, and report these threats. The event also aimed to empower youth in peace and security, highlight their role in advancing international conflict resolution through Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) initiatives introduced by the Mission, and offer a closer look at law enforcement careers and cadet training at KAPS.
Pupils arriving to the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 7 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
A Kosovo Police Officer introduces participants to the house rules at KAPS, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 7 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Kosovo Police Officers guide young participants in preparation for the upcoming cadet parade, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 7 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Students join cadets in a ceremonial march during the parade, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Cornelia Taylor, Acting General Director of KAPS Shpend Shabani, and Colonel Taibe Canolli, Director of the Kosovo Police Human Resources Department, attend the cadet parade, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Deputy Head of Mission Cornelia Taylor addressing the pupils during the cadet parade, highlighting the importance of service and leadership, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Bylent Ribari)
Participants showcase their newly acquired first aid skills, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Deputy Head Cornelia Taylor speaks with pupils about their experiences during the activity, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Simulation exercise with Deputy Head Cornelia Taylor on traffic regulations, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
Participants observe operations at the Kosovo Police headquarters Operational Room, Prishtinë/Priština, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
A firefighter explains emergency response procedures and equipment to a participant, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)
At Camp Vrella/Vrelo, Special Units showcase the pupils robots used by Bomb Squad Police Unit, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Bylent Ribari)
Mission members Arbënore Imeri-Mikullovci and Šehida Miftari engage students in discussions on youth, peace, and security, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 7 May 2025. (OSCE/Bylent Ribari)
Shpresa Muharremi, from the Mission's KAPS Advisory Unit, addresses participants at the conclusion of the activity to present their certificates of completion, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Bylent Ribari)
To mark the completion of their two-day program at KAPS, participants celebrate by tossing their hats into the air, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, 8 May 2025. (OSCE/Venla Aalto)