Open communication between former parties to a conflict is a prerequisite for a successful reconciliation process. The majority of Kosovans do not have opportunities to speak to people from different communities, a fact that USAID’s Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation activity is striving to change by organizing joint camps, workshops, and storytelling sessions. Storytelling allows diverse perspectives from members of various ethnic groups, primarily Kosovan Albanian and Kosovan Serbs, to help identify common values.
At the latest storytelling session Flamur Abazaj, a lecturer at the International Business College Mitrovica, spoke about the role of education in the reconciliation process. Mr. Abazaj shared his personal experiences with an exchange program 11 years ago, his initial skepticism of sharing the room with someone from “the other side”, and his surprise at what turned out to be a unique positive experience, and ability to forge a connection between two people coming from different ethnic groups.
“(The) world is a very big place, but at the same time very small, so meet as many new people as you can, be open as much as you can, and learn from people, even from the people that you will not get well along with, just be open-minded and keep going”, said Abazaj in his presentation.
A lack of communication limits the understanding of other viewpoints and unfortunately allows prejudices to build up. In Kosovo’s case, according to Abazaj, it is important to find the right approach to stimulate communication, cooperation, and reconciliation between different ethnic groups in Kosovo.
USAID, through various activities, facilitates communication and cooperation which can help pave the way for reconciliation in Kosovo.
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