From December 21 to 24, 2024, the second annual workshop of the Adult Learning and Education Network in Kosovo (ALE NK) was organized. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss inter-institutional cooperation, capacity building for ALE NK members, the implementation of the advocacy strategy, network expansion, and the development of resources and policies for adult education. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the creation of a website that would formalize the ALE NK network.
The workshop was attended by 14 participants, members of the ALE NK network, representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MASHTI), the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE), the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK), the Kosovo Education Center (KEC), the European College of Kosovo (ECK), the Youth Center – Hareja, as well as the NGO THY and two Youth and Adult Learning and Education Centers in Kosovo: YALEC Prizren and YALEC Peja.
The workshop was attended by 14 participants, most of whom were members of the ALE NK network. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE), the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK) the Kosovo Education Center (KEC), the European College of Kosovo (ECK), the Youth Center – Hareja, as well as the NGO THY and two Youth and Adult Learning and Education Centers in Kosovo: YALEC Prizren and YALEC Peja.
In his opening speech, Mr. Lah Nitaj, Director of the Department of Pre-University Education at MESTI, highlighted the special importance of this workshop and the continuous institutional support for adult education in Kosovo. He emphasized the achievements and work done so far in this field, noting that MESTI is working on reforming and drafting new legislation for Vocational Education and Training to ensure that it reflects the needs and priorities of this sector.
Mr. Ramadan Alija, the Head of DVV International in Kosovo, expressed special gratitude to all members of the ALE NK Network, emphasizing the annual activities successfully carried out by the network in corporation with DVV International, including the workshop held in May and the Lifelong Learning Week. He also highlighted the importance of further development of ALE NK Network, particularly in terms of its operationalization and formalization.
Ms. Ryve Prekorogja, Chair of the ALE NK Board and the main moderator of the workshop, led the discussions by encouraging collaboration and the exchange of best practices among the members.
The workshop continued with presentations and the sharing of information from all the network's member organizations. Following this, a summary of the current projects for 2024 was presented, along with an overview of the preliminary plans for 2025.
The final discussions focused on finalizing the 2025 Annual Plan. During this session, participants agreed on joint activities and co-financing modalities. Among other topics, key activities were highlighted, including the promotion of adult education, capacity building, advocacy for the development of Adult and Lifelong Learning Education, the design of programs tailored to societal needs, cooperation with national and international institutions, the development of sustainable objectives aligned with local and international frameworks, the provision of high-quality and attractive courses, innovative approaches to education, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of adult education.