Meet Ditjon Fetahu, a law student with a passion for driving youth initiatives and promoting human rights. As a NextGen participant from Kosovo, Ditjon brought valuable insights on meaningful youth engagement to the ESG Adria Summit.
Ditjon is the Executive Director at the Kosovar Youth Council, where he combines his legal knowledge with his strong commitment to human rights, driving forward Kosovo's advancement and prosperity. Over the past decade, he has actively engaged in advocacy and professional initiatives aimed at catalysing societal change within his community. His focus on leveraging youth activism resonates closely with the core mission of the ESG Adria Summit — to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in sustainable development.
Reflecting on his experience at the ESG Adria Summit, Ditjon shared the following remarks:
The ESG Adria Summit was a transformative experience, significantly enriched by the innovative NextGen Programme. As a participant, I found the Summit to be a vital platform for fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations on sustainability, while the NextGen Programme provided an invaluable opportunity for young leaders from across the Adria region to engage with key stakeholders and enhance our impact. Some of the key benefits of the Programme were:
Networking and Mentorship: One of the most significant benefits was the access to a diverse network of government officials, business leaders, and sustainability experts. Meeting and interacting with influential figures like Dunja Mijatović, a Human Rights Expert, and Nevena Dičić Kostić, Policy and Research Lead at Sustineri Partners, provided us with valuable insights into the intersection of human rights and business.
Knowledge Enhancement: Sessions with leaders such as Federica Mogherini, Rector of College of Europe, and Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners, broadened our understanding of sustainability challenges and strategies. Mogherini's presentation on "Bridging Borders for Sustainability" was particularly inspiring, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation for a sustainable future.
Hands-On Experience: The program was not just about listening; it was about doing. We engaged in discussions on actionable strategies for strengthening youth voices across sectors. This hands-on approach was crucial in understanding the practical aspects of sustainability and how we, as young leaders, can contribute.
The Summit and NextGen Program have profoundly impacted my perspective and professional growth. Here are some key takeaways:
Strategic Communication: John Rendon's insights on strategic communications in a rapidly evolving world emphasised the importance of leveraging technology and effective governance in ESG topics. This has helped me refine my communication strategies for advocating sustainability initiatives.
Policy and Innovation: Discussions on the European Green Plan and sustainable finance provided a clear picture of the policy landscape and innovative approaches required for green transition. This knowledge is instrumental as I work on projects aimed at integrating sustainable practices in local communities or national level.
Youth Empowerment: The emphasis on youth empowerment resonated deeply. Panels like "Cultivating Talent, Curbing Flight: Empowering Young Innovation" highlighted the challenges of youth brain drain and the need for supportive ecosystems. This has motivated me to focus on creating opportunities for young talents in my region, ensuring they contribute to local sustainability efforts.
Since the Summit, I have been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and youth engagement, more specifically as a part of the Western Balkan Youth Lab (WBYL) supported by Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). Through this platform, we have formed groups to advocate for policies that support the sustainability sector, with a specific focus on youth engagement. The work methodology of WBYL includes meaningful participation of respective government institutions, in a co-management model between youth-led NGO-s and state structures. Several activities will be supported through this project, such as research papers, support for policy creation or/and amendment, as well as advocacy campaigns.
The ESG Adria Summit and NextGen Programme have been instrumental in shaping my understanding and approach to sustainability. The knowledge gained, networks built, and inspiration drawn from this experience have empowered me to actively contribute to regional sustainability efforts. As we move forward, it is imperative that youth voices continue to be included in these crucial discussions, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
By integrating young leaders into the design and execution of sustainability agendas, we can harness their potential and drive meaningful change. The NextGen Programme stands as a testament to the power of youth engagement and its critical role in shaping a sustainable future for the Adria region and beyond.
The NextGen programme brought together eight young sustainability leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia, to the ESG Adria Summit. During the three day event, these young leaders had an opportunity to not only attend the ESG Adria Summit but also to meet and learn from government officials, business leaders, and sustainability experts. NextGen participants met with prominent figures, including Federica Mogherini, Biljana Braithwaite, Dunja Mijatović, Nevena Dičić Kostić, and key representatives from Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica, to discuss youth's role in bridging borders for sustainability and shaping a prosperous European future.
The NextGen Programme is powered by Sustineri Partners and Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica.
More information on the NextGen initiative can be found here.
