By Gresa Barileva (YES 2019-2020, Kosovo, placed with CIEE in Poplar Bluff, MO)

Nine YES and FLEX alumni from Kosovo and Serbia were trainers at the virtual Media Education Exchange Talks (MEET) Program Training for high school students. The goal of this training was to teach the students about media literacy, while bringing together students from the two countries that have historically been at odds. The YES and FLEX alumni were split into two groups, mixing Kosovars and Serbians to work together, learn, and present on various aspects of media literacy. 

The groups of alumni gave presentations to the 20 students in attendance on citizen journalism, media education, fake news and propaganda, and internet security. These presentations taught the students in attendance about the topics discussed and demonstrated mutual understanding between Kosovars and Serbians. The training was a huge success, with the students learning new skills and enjoying getting to know other high school students from their neighboring country. The alumni are planning on conducting another training for more students to make an even greater impact in their communities and further spread media literacy in the region.