On April 24 we marked International Girls in ICT Day with our Girls in ICT Conference X Edition, marking a decade of breaking barriers, opening doors, and amplifying the voices of girls in ICT, STEM, and Energy fields.
Girls in ICT Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of April, is a global initiative to inspire and empower young women to explore careers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The day began with heartfelt and powerful opening remarks from inspiring women who are shaping the future:
- Ms. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy: The minister shared important insights and statistics, outlining the government’s goals to reduce gender disparities in these critical fields and ensure a more inclusive job market.
- Ms. Abetare Gojani, Executive Director of The Foundation House: “ Today a decade later, we continue to believe in the idea that when you believe in a girl, she transforms the world. Therefore, today is a celebration of changing mindsets, of opening doors that once did not exist, of creating spaces that once were missing.”
- Dr. Albina Balidemaj- Dean of Faculty at RIT Kosovo: Dr. Balidemaj highlighted the evolving efforts of their institution to expand opportunities for girls in STEM through dynamic and forward-looking academic programs.
We were also honored to welcome our keynote speaker, Camerie Mazreku a Software Engineer at Netflix who joined us virtually all the way from Silicon Valley. In her heartfelt message, Camerie shared her incredible journey: from a young girl growing up in Malisheva, to building technology at one of the world’s leading entertainment companies. Her story was a powerful reminder that no dream is too big, and no place too small, to shape a global future.She spoke with honesty and warmth about the challenges she faced and the determination it took to get where she is today. Her message to the girls was clear: with hard work, resilience, and belief in yourself, anything is possible.
Our participants had the chance to engage in two dynamic and insightful panel discussions with each offering a unique perspective on how young voices and national strategies are shaping the future of STEM and Energy.
Panel 1: “Empowering Voices: Youngsters Present Policy Recommendations in STEM and Energy”
Young participants from the recent KUSA training took the stage to present their ideas and policy recommendations; the result of two days of intensive learning and collaboration. With courage and clarity, they shared their visions directly with representatives from institutions, organizations, and businesses, proving that young people are not just the future, they are also the present.
Panel 2: “Policies and Strategies for Supporting Youth in STEM and Energy”
This session brought together experts, policymakers, and sector leaders to explore the broader ecosystem from national strategies to financial support mechanisms focused on nurturing youth potential in ICT and Energy. It was a space for honest dialogue, practical ideas, and future-facing collaboration.
To finish off the day, our girls got to dive into two hands-on, transformative workshops, completely free of charge.
- AI & Cybersecurity Workshop
In this interactive session, the girls explored how to navigate the digital world safely and smartly. From recognizing cyber threats to understanding how security platforms operate, they gained essential knowledge that empowers them to protect themselves and others in the digital age.
- Drones & GIS Mapping Workshop
Here, participants got a close-up look at the fascinating world of drone technology and geographic information systems. They learned how drones are used in real-world mapping projects and got to experience first-hand how tech meets terrain.
The cherry on top of the day was the Job Fair, where leading companies, organizations, and startups shared opportunities, guidance, and support. Many of them offered internships, part-time roles, and even full-time job opportunities. For many girls, it was their first step into a professional network that sees their potential and wants to help them grow.