What went well?

A highlight of this week was attending the Women, Peace and Security Conference hosted by the President of Kosovo. One moment that struck me deeply was hearing the first man to publicly come out and speak about his own experience being raped during the Kosovo-Serbia war by Serb soldiers, 26 years after it happened. It was heartbreaking and powerful, and it reminded me of how deeply the conflict still shapes lives and relationships between communities today. Along with him stood some of the strong women who also detailed their similar experiences in the war. It tied directly to my own interest in peacebuilding and reinforced why the work KYC does around inclusion matters.

On the project side, we began collaborating with a local artist from Mitrovica to design the mural. It felt exciting to see the vision start to take shape in a way that blended creativity with social meaning.

I also took the initiative this week to update KYC’s website, which hadn’t been refreshed in years, and started drafting a funding application to one of KYC’s donors to support the improvements.

What could have been done differently?

I sometimes struggled to balance multiple priorities: attending external events, pushing the mural forward, and beginning the grant application. I realized that I need to get better at setting clear boundaries for what I can realistically accomplish in a week, so I don’t spread myself too thin.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

I saw that I’m willing to step up and take initiative when I notice a gap, like with the outdated website. It felt good to contribute in a way that wasn’t part of my original project but still strengthens the organization.

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership is not only about amplifying voices but also creating spaces where silenced voices can finally be heard. The WPS conference showed me the power of collective acknowledgment and how truth-telling itself can be a form of leadership and healing.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

I want to work on better prioritization and time management so I can balance both the mural project and side initiatives without losing momentum. I also want to keep reflecting on how lessons from events like the WPS conference can shape the way I approach community work at KYC.