It is hard to realise that Talk for tomorrow has been together now for five days. The group as as a whole has become a familiar sight at many of the city's coffee shops and bistros. We're the rag tag group seen parading in uniform, frantically trying to make it to the next meeting. Today our brave group takes to the streets of Prishtina amidst a choking 43 degree heat wave. First call of business is the long awaited street action; an activity in which the group swarms downtown Prishtina to confront passers-by about their project and engage them about their feelings about youth cooperation between Serbs and Kosovan Albanians. Responses are mixed. Some heartedly support the project others seem shocked or jaded, and yet many stop to chat and help adorn the prishtina sidewalk with messages of peace and reconcilliation.
Those of the group still standing and sufficiently hydrated retreat back to Dardania to the relative comfort and shade of the appartment. After a brief bite to eat and some naps most head out to Prishtina's government building to meet, once again with Hajredin Kuci, Kosovan opposition leader with a prominent role not only in the drafting off Kosova's constitution but also in selecting a new Kosovan flag that will distinguish "a" new Kosova from the traditional double-headed black eagle of Albania. With final status looming, the term and identity "kosovar" seems to take on more and more meaning with every day. Kuci was so impressed with the groups earlier meeting that we were all invited to sit in on a government session. Unfortunately, no meetings were in session when we arrived but an informal conversation in a luxurious, AIR CONDITIONED government building was a satisfactory consolation. What was left of the day was spent in pairs, planning future activities that will help to promote dialogue across the balkans. Although "Beyond differences" draws to a close, the umbrella of "Talk for Tomorrow" promises to yield many more events including a series of scheduled teleconferences on such topics as 'inherited prejudice'.
Before some of our group dissapear back to Belgrade or begin Prishtina's "Summer University" we go out in a gluttinous bang. The "Pishat" restaurant is a meat lovers paradise, and the group gorges on platter after platter of barbequed meats, grilled vegatables, cheeses, and flatbreads. The rest of the evening fades into a Rakija enduced blur full of teary goodbyes and hearty Albanian sing alongs courtesy of group favorite, Cafe "Tirana".
8.01.2007
Day 4: (17 July) Politics, politics, politics!
The group rejoins the work-week in full force, hitting its stride as Beyond Differences is nearly half-way through. A hearty breakfast of flija and mantija (Kosovar traditional food), and the members find themselves at YIHR in a roundtable discussion of the position of minorities in post-conflictKosovo/a. Having met with Kosovar Serbian activist Ivan Radic and the adversely affected and empoverished families of various identities through the Red Cross project, the discussion centers around the position of Serb minorities in Kosovo.
Some coffee and pop, and then a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Community and Return to add another perspective to the problems concerning minorities in Kosovo/a. The Kosovar governmental representatives share their views on 'their success' of returning the internally displaced as well as other refugees - based on copious statistics. Yet, they acknowledge the fact that lots is still left to do.
Stopping by YIHR for a chat is Hajredin Kuci to share his insights on the political climate of Kosovo/a and the current construction of its constitution. Professor Kuci today represents the Opposition Party as Deputy Minister of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the second largest poltical party in Kosovo/a. He is also a professor of political science at the University of Prishtina and the commissioner of the Committee for Constitutional Framework. Prof. Kuci's speech included a comparison of himself to Jesus (unpopular political statements), a desire to fpll forward from the corrupt and indecent current political climate, and much discussion of Kosovo/a's constitutional status. UN Secuirty Council Resolution 1244 established a limited self-governence that lead to the current "constitutional framework," Kuci discussed the diversity of choices his commission is reviewing for the new Kosovo/a flag, and then invited the group back to his office the following day to see where the commission worked.
Some lunch, and then back to YIHR to hear yet another perspective on the evolving political environment of Kosovo/a. This discussion was joined by Petrit Selimi and Jelena Bjelica, two important members of the Kosovar media. Petrit Selimi comes to the table with an impressive resume as former managing director of the newspaper Express, co-founder of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, co-founder of Postpessimists Youth Organization in Kosovo and owner of frequented coffee shop Strip Depo [editors note: for full disclosure, this author has frequented said coffee shop on a couple of occasions]. Jelena Bjelica has been the correspondent for the daily national newspaper Danas. She is from Belgrade but has lived in Kosovo for the past 7 years. Together they now write a Serbian-language weekly newspaper for Kosovar Serbian minorities. The paper has received much acclaim among the readers of Serbian language. Though seemingly still quite young, Selemi's experience lends him the demeanor of a wearied veteran, vexed by the continuing cycle of problems but unable to stop promoting change. He flaccidly waves the group goodbye, a poignant spectacle of the continuing strength one must summon to tackle such heady issues.
Down the street goes the group to meet up with Vetevendosje, the Self-Determination Movement that opposes the United Nations administration and campaigns for full independence of Kosovo/a as a part of their right of self-determination. Unfortunately, the representatives were unable to meet the group, but enthusiastic members of the party circulate newspapers (English and Albanian translations), as well as other merchandise. The "Boycott Serbian Products" bumper stickers were scooped up by the group, Serbian and Kosovar alike.
Some coffee and pop, and then a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Community and Return to add another perspective to the problems concerning minorities in Kosovo/a. The Kosovar governmental representatives share their views on 'their success' of returning the internally displaced as well as other refugees - based on copious statistics. Yet, they acknowledge the fact that lots is still left to do.
Stopping by YIHR for a chat is Hajredin Kuci to share his insights on the political climate of Kosovo/a and the current construction of its constitution. Professor Kuci today represents the Opposition Party as Deputy Minister of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the second largest poltical party in Kosovo/a. He is also a professor of political science at the University of Prishtina and the commissioner of the Committee for Constitutional Framework. Prof. Kuci's speech included a comparison of himself to Jesus (unpopular political statements), a desire to fpll forward from the corrupt and indecent current political climate, and much discussion of Kosovo/a's constitutional status. UN Secuirty Council Resolution 1244 established a limited self-governence that lead to the current "constitutional framework," Kuci discussed the diversity of choices his commission is reviewing for the new Kosovo/a flag, and then invited the group back to his office the following day to see where the commission worked.
Some lunch, and then back to YIHR to hear yet another perspective on the evolving political environment of Kosovo/a. This discussion was joined by Petrit Selimi and Jelena Bjelica, two important members of the Kosovar media. Petrit Selimi comes to the table with an impressive resume as former managing director of the newspaper Express, co-founder of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, co-founder of Postpessimists Youth Organization in Kosovo and owner of frequented coffee shop Strip Depo [editors note: for full disclosure, this author has frequented said coffee shop on a couple of occasions]. Jelena Bjelica has been the correspondent for the daily national newspaper Danas. She is from Belgrade but has lived in Kosovo for the past 7 years. Together they now write a Serbian-language weekly newspaper for Kosovar Serbian minorities. The paper has received much acclaim among the readers of Serbian language. Though seemingly still quite young, Selemi's experience lends him the demeanor of a wearied veteran, vexed by the continuing cycle of problems but unable to stop promoting change. He flaccidly waves the group goodbye, a poignant spectacle of the continuing strength one must summon to tackle such heady issues.
Down the street goes the group to meet up with Vetevendosje, the Self-Determination Movement that opposes the United Nations administration and campaigns for full independence of Kosovo/a as a part of their right of self-determination. Unfortunately, the representatives were unable to meet the group, but enthusiastic members of the party circulate newspapers (English and Albanian translations), as well as other merchandise. The "Boycott Serbian Products" bumper stickers were scooped up by the group, Serbian and Kosovar alike.
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