It is always nice to be back to Pristina, the place I was born. But it is exceptional when the visit is combined with something even more meaningful, something that aims to boost the wellbeing of its citizens, as was the case on 27 November at the Youth and Sports Centre in Pristina.

The RCC is organising street installations in regional capitals called “Imagine better tomorrow!” and has already visited Tirana, Podgorica and Skopje with Sarajevo, Zagreb and Belgrade scheduled for December. And yesterday, the citizens of Pristina had the chance to speak up and say how they feel and what hopes and burdens they have. It was wonderful to see their readiness to share their thoughts on the economic situation, educational and job opportunities or lack of them and to discuss their problems, hopes and needs as well as their future economic prospects.

It was even more enchanting to see the cooperation on the ground between our media crew from Sarajevo, our spokesperson from Serbia and a journalist from Kosovo who was interviewing her fellow citizens. Both on and off camera they were a well-oiled machine. Nothing could stop their excellent coordination, communication and delivery – all done with a smile and gentle voice. As we stood there luring by passers to come and chat with us, which they gladly did, it was impossible not to observe the crew behind the camera working together, laughing together and learning each other’s language as they dealt with one task after another.

I came to Pristina to promote regional cooperation but even better than that, I found it already alive and well both on and off camera. The little crew from three different cities in the region was demonstrating that regional cooperation does bring better quality; that three brains can achieve more than one; that diversity brings quality. For this and everything else I found in my hometown today I will leave it happy!

Thank you RCC crew, thank you good people of Pristina who responded with a smile. Hopefully we will meet again soon!

Your citizen of the region,

Mimika Loshi