After a vivid trip from Zagreb, I arrived with my fellow travellers to Ulcinj/Ulqin and spent the next intense and eventful ten days with 24 people. In each session, I learned something new from the other participants and I would often be impressed by something in the exercises that made me think and so I learned a few things about myself, too. In my free time, I am generally occupied with the topics included in the programme, so it was never boring for a moment, and it was especially valuable to watch how the exercises helped us express so many things, including those that may not have occurred to us at first. The communication ran smoothly, and when there was a hitch (which is, of course, natural when you bring together such a diverse crowd), empathy and kindness would step in to help us understand someone else’s point of view. Of course, the informal part of our stay during the training was also very pleasant and educational, and the food, the hotel staff and the general atmosphere in town were really great.
There are many reasons why I would recommend this training to other people. For anyone who considers it important to think about the future of peace and a return of coexistence in the Yugoslav area, being in contact with well-meaning people from different parts of the region is an invaluable experience. Because it is common practice for CNA trainings to bring together individuals from all corners of the region, the participants get a very good insight into the complexity of local inter-ethnic relations, which then helps create a nuanced and holistic view of the issues – whether these concern information about events from the past or about the current atmosphere in society. This is greatly aided by the fact that the exercises are carefully thought-out and expertly led, so that the participants are put in a series of situations that take them through a range of emotions, helping to deepen the impression of the whole experience. Not to mention how memorable it is to share your stories with the rest of the group and often find understanding despite the fact that we come from different backgrounds. And let’s not forget that after the training, you are left with a heap of valuable contacts and a sense that even remote areas no longer seem so far away because you meet lovely people at the training from everywhere that you can then go on to plan actions and events with, or to just develop friendships.