Prishtina, June 9, 2026 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted the first session of the Future Leaders Club titled “Leadership Conversation with Adriatik Kelmendi,” bringing together young professionals from member companies for an engaging discussion on leadership, communication, and media literacy.

The session opened with remarks by AmCham Executive Director Arian Zeka, who introduced Adriatik Kelmendi and highlighted his extensive and distinguished experience as a journalist, editor, television director, lecturer, as well as Chairman of the Board of the television station and Board Member of Devolli Corporation. Zeka emphasized that through the Future Leaders Club, an initiative developed by the Strategic Relations Advisor of AmCham, Arlena Krivenjeva, the Chamber aims to create a parallel platform to its main membership structure, offering young managers and emerging leaders within member companies the opportunity to develop leadership skills and advance into higher managerial roles.

During the conversation, Adriatik Kelmendi shared insights from his decades-long career in journalism, reflecting on his early experiences in the 1990s and the challenges of reporting during a period of significant political and social change. He addressed the evolving media landscape and the growing challenge of distinguishing credible information in the age of social media and information overload.

He emphasized the importance of critical thinking and media literacy, encouraging participants to evaluate the credibility of information sources and to be mindful of manipulation in digital environments. Kelmendi also advocated for the inclusion of media education in school curricula from an early age, noting that such skills are essential in today’s information-driven society.

The discussion further explored public relations and communication strategies in the business environment. Responding to questions from the audience, Kelmendi highlighted that credibility is built over time and cannot be artificially created, noting that trust remains one of the most valuable assets in communication. He stressed that public relations often carries greater long-term influence than advertising, as it is built on sustained messaging, perception, and word-of-mouth credibility, whereas advertising is perceived as paid promotion.

Participants also engaged in a broader discussion on how trust is built in business communication and the role of teams and collective effort in shaping successful leadership and organizational reputation.

The session concluded with reflections on the importance of consistent communication, credibility, and informed public opinion as key pillars of effective leadership in today’s rapidly changing media environment.