Programme Europe for Citizens, Strand 1 “European Remembrance”, 3rd meeting of a multiphase project
Venue: Prishtina, Kosovo
Dates: 19—22 October 2022
Please read the project handbook.
Czech national team: (Zita K. and Martin N.)
Please read the info-pack and daily programme.
Hosting organisation: Alphabet Formation
Project report:
A 3rd meeting of ANTIDOTE: Alternative Narratives for Tolerance and Intercultural Dialogue to Overcome Stereotypes and Spread Equality took place in Pristina, Kosovo, between 19th of October and 22nd of October 2022.
ANTIDOTE’s mission is to take action against regular stigmatization of the migrants and minorities, answering to the need to establish a common ground between different cultures and communities by promoting understanding and interaction. Through ANTIDOTE, our team generates relevant solutions for communities that encounter difficulties in connecting with minorities and migrants they live with. ANTIDOTE will encourage intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding through customized stories and alternative narratives with big impact on the citizens thus informing and raising awareness on the richness of the cultural and linguistic environment in Europe and promote mutual understanding and tolerance, thereby contributing to the development of a respectful, dynamic and multifaceted European identity.
ANTIDOTE Network can count on professionals on intercultural dialogue, non-formal educator, citizens, communication campaigns experts, trainer, cultural mediator. We can also count on NGOs practitioners, activists, representatives of local authorities and volunteers in the field concerned. Our mission is to take action against the polarization of the public opinion answering to the need to teach citizens the value of tolerance using the intercultural dialogue as methods.
“In Pristina, we were staying at the Garden Hotel which provided a very comfortable stay, delicious breakfasts, and access to the Spa where we could relax after the program.
My flight was affected by a strike at Eurowings, so I was unfortunately unable to attend the first day of the meeting.
The agenda of the first day was as follows: Testimonies of refugees in Kosovo – Integration process of refugees in Kosovo and in the afternoon visit to the Innovative Centre of Kosovo. The feedback from other participants on both activities was very positive.
We started the second day with a Visit to the Kosovo Parliament. The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Kosovo that is directly elected by the people every four years. It was originally established by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in 2001 to provide ‘provisional, democratic self-government’. On February 17, 2008, representatives of the people of Kosovo unilaterally declared Kosovo’s independence and subsequently adopted the Constitution of Kosovo, which came into effect on 15 June 2008. In the Parliament Corridor has been installed Missing Persons Exhibit – an attempt to influence lawmakers to do more to resolve the fate of those who disappeared. The exhibition presents Atdhe Mulla´s photographs, depicting the daily life of the families of people who have been missing since the war in 1998-99 in Kosovo. A total of 1,653 keys – one for each person who is still missing – have also been hung throughout the corridor. In the afternoon we went to the Ministry of Interior Affairs. We were welcomed to the Department of Reintegration of Repatriated Persons and Integration of Foreigners, where we were introduced to their agenda and good practice. It was very interesting to learn more about the challenges Kosovo is facing in this area and how they respond to them. The subsequent discussion on the topic of integration and migration promoted an intercultural dialogue.
During a free time, we had an opportunity to visit a centre of Pristina, the Newborn monument, National library of Kosovo built in a brutalist architectural style, a statue of Bill Clinton and Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa. From the top of the Cathedral, we enjoyed a full city view.
Lunch and dinner were provided every time in a different restaurant. I liked the most the farewell dinner at Liburnia, a traditional restaurant with a rustic interior, cosy atmosphere, and traditional food.
I am thankful to visit Kosovo thanks to ANTIDOTE and EYCB, the country was selected very well for the project´s mission, in a post- conflict country we contributed together to the topic of tolerance and intercultural dialogue.” (Zita K.)
