Olt is a 16-year-old climate activist from Prizren – a small city in Kosovo surrounded by mountains. He lives with his parents and younger sister. His two older sisters no longer live at home with the family. In addition, Olt has three cats – Momo, Maya, and Bardi – and one dog named Odi. Olt is a member of a child-led group supported by Save the Children called Respect Our Rights, which has 24 members in Kosovo. As a group member, Olt takes part in and helps to organise activities that promote environmental awareness. This includes clean-up and recycling initiatives as well as marches. At the end of September 2022, Olt organised a climate march / climate protest in Pristina – roughly one hour away from Prizren – with other members of Respect Our Rights. 65 children took part and made their voices heard. Olt explains that climate change is evident in Prizren by way of heatwaves that are occurring more frequently during the summer months. As a result, the small city’s river has less water and, sometimes, dries up. Olt’s parents used to swim in Prizren’s river when they were younger, however, Olt says that it’s no longer possible to do so because of the lack of water and an increase in pollution. Although the climate crisis exists in Kosovo, Olt feels that other countries are worse off due to droughts and extreme flooding. As a result, he says that Kosovo must learn from other countries to avoid the same extreme weather events from occurring. Olt says that fixing climate change isn’t an easy task. He says, however, that mitigating the climate crisis isn’t impossible either. To do so, Olt believes that everyone must take small actions in their everyday lives to help such as: reducing meat consumption, reducing carbon footprints, planting trees, seasonal produce shopping, composting food, community composting, community cooking, and moving to more rural areas. In addition, Olt says that world leaders must make laws that are more aligned with protecting the planet including using green energy, managing fossil fuels, listening to children, and eliminating deforestation. In addition, Olt believes that children are the best hope for the future and that they must be paid attention to, regardless of age or any other factor. Looking forward, Olt dreams of owning a cottage in the mountains or living in a sustainable van. He wants to be surrounded by nature because that’s where he feels most at peace. At the moment, he spends a lot of time at his art studio in Prizren where he loves to express himself in creative ways like painting, drawing, and writing. Also, at his art studio, Olt makes paper out of recycled materials and jewellery out of crystals. He enjoys being able to combine his love of art with his love of the environment. Laura Hewison / Save the Children

"It’s a day I felt my voice was truly powerful"

5 min read

31 Aug 2021 Kosovo

A 15-year-old girl from Kosovo on how she is representing the voice of children at local, national and international level.

I am Puhiza Shemsedini, 15 years old girl from Kosovo. I am the chairwoman of the child-led group “Respect Our Rights” (ROR), established in 2014 by Save the Children in Kosovo in partnership with local NGO "Syri i Vizionit". Our group is made up of children 15 to 18 years old, and our role is to monitor and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Kosovo, as well as monitor the domestic laws that protect the rights of children. We represent the voice of children in Kosovo at local, national and international level.

I have been interested in children’s rights since I was very young; the challenges and discrimination have always worried me as a child. So, wanting to do something about it, I initially joined a Child-led Municipal Assembly in my hometown also supported by Save the Children, before joining ROR. Since then, I started looking at children’s rights in a different way, and ROR gave me the chance to raise my voice in front of the institutions and demand our rights! We have been very active in advocating and campaigning for children’s rights, and have met a lot of influential people and decision-makers in Kosovo, demanding the realization of our rights.

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One of the best experiences I have had was the meeting with the President of Kosovo Mrs. Vjosa Osmani. It was on the 1^st of June, which is Children’s Day here in Kosovo.

It’s a day I felt my voice was truly powerful!

We asked her for a meeting to present our work about children’s rights, to talk about the challenges that children in Kosovo face, such as education, environmental protection and the impact of the pandemic on children, as well as new opportunities for children in Kosovo.

I was very excited when the assistant of the President confirmed that the meeting will be held at 10 am in the office of the President. Together with 10 other children from ROR we gathered in front of the Office of the President. During this time, we had the support of representatives from Save the Children and NGO “Syri i Vizionit” who accompanied us and made sure that we get the personal and moral support. Save the Children and Syri i Vizionit always make sure that we as a group get enough support in capacity building, time, budget, space and attention, and are always supporting us with new opportunities!

“I hope in the future you will be here”, said the President Osmani and she moved to another chair that day.

When we entered the Presidency, President Osmani was waiting for us at the door of her office. She wished us a happy children’s day and we each sat in chairs. Unknowingly I sat in her chair and laughed when she said “I hope in the future you will be here”. Those words really inspired me that day!

I started the meeting, firstly telling her about our group and then mentioning three main topics we wanted to discuss: education, clean environment and children’s security in Kosovo. We also raised the issue of children's participation in decision-making as a very important thing for us. President Osmani answered all of our questions, told us about her work on children’s rights and said she will give more efforts in this area. She was very cooperative with us and told us to “engage every day, do not stop, I will be with you at all times, especially when it comes to children and the fulfillment of their rights”. This commitment of hers motivated us even more.

For me, this meeting fills me with hope for a better future in my country! It’s a hope that our voice is going to be heard and, our schools, parks, environment and hospitals will be better. I have knocked on many government doors but I have often been disappointed. Only when we are asked about our opinion for the decisions that affect us, that decision will be appropriate. Nobody can know about us and what we are going through every day, better than us ourselves. The President made me feel that my voice counted and I was listened to, and that is a very good step to a brighter future for children of Kosovo.

“I want all world leaders to make children their priority.”

Now, we will ask the President to join our activities as often as she can. We will ask to meet other institution’s representative and continue advocating for our rights.

I want all world leaders to make children their priority. When drafting laws, projects and allocating local and state budget they must focus more on children and hear our voice. I want the leaders to provide better health care, protection, quality education, work toward climate change and to provide equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender or economic situation.

My message to children all around the world is to always speak up when your rights are violated. I encourage you to always seek equality and justice. I also ask you to respect all of your friends and I want to remind you, I am here for you and that you are not alone. Together, we can make this world more colorful and bring smiles to all children around the world!

Children, parents and supporters from around the world have participated in #100DaysOfAction, taking over 5,000 actions to pressure leaders into saving education. Together, we’ve helped to move world leaders to pledge over $4bn USD to get children into school and learning, increase their education spend and listen to children’s needs, hopes and dreams.