RYCO and Civil Society Discuss Current Kosovo*-Serbia Relations

PRISTINA – RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blnauša took part in the CSO Dialogue Forum organized in Pristina on 4 and 5 February. Participating the panel discussion Youth as an emerging actor of the dialogue, he discussed youth emigration but also ways how young people are creating new opportunities for education and employment in Serbia and Kosovo but also across the region.

RYCO Secretary General welcomed the positive and constructive atmosphere during the conference, including presentation and clear evidences of many existing projects and programs of cooperation between different communities, particularly in Kosovo. He also reminded the participants that RYCO’s mandate is also to promote culture of remembrance and constructive dealing with the past which is of the paramount importance in our divided societies.

“It is natural to expect from young people to be focus more on the future instead of remaining anchored in the past, but it should not be the question of either/or. We should create opportunities for young people and provide them with safe environment to discuss and exchange on all relevant topics, including the past,” Mr Blanuša concluded.

Moderated by Program Director of KIPRED Ms Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, the panel discussion Youth as an emerging actor of the dialogue was also participated by Training, Events and PR Manager of Innovation Center Kosovo Mr Shpend Lila, Executive Director of YEC Synergy Mr Stefan Veljković and Executive Director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights Kosovo Ms Marigona Shabiu.

Organized by NGO Aktiv from North Mitrovica, the CSO Forum’s objective was to establish a space to address current issues in Kosovo-Serbia relations and establish new and innovative cooperation networks through constructive and multilayered dialogue between civil society actors on possible responses to the challenges stemming from the current state of dialogue, something that has for many years now burdened both the relationship between Pristina and Belgrade and complicated inter-ethnic relations within Kosovo itself.

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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

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