Balkan.Perspectives Podcast #1: Kosovo: Youth Movement and Dealing with the Past

Balkan.Perspectives Podcast #1: Kosovo: Youth Movement and Dealing with the Past

Author: Pro Peace - Western Balkan Program May 10, 2021 Duration: 43:17
The new edition of the Balkan.Perspectives podcast of forumZFD tackles the anti-war movements, peace initiatives, and the impact of the recent past in Kosovo and other former Yugoslavia countries after the bloody breakup of the communist federation.Marigona Shabiu the executive director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Kosovo. She elucidates how the new generation by sticking to the truth and justice can help to lay down the burden of the past. In this crucial process for the future of the region, national stakeholders show a lack of commitment to truly engage with the legacies of the past. Transitional justice processes have produced few results not only in Kosovo but in other former Yugoslavia territories, in general, where nationalism, ethnic divisions, and hatred remain deeply rooted. In the meantime, people especially victims are waiting for justice and struggling to move on. Marigona Shabiu pointed out that there is no denying the fact that this region confronts increasing tensions while many still ask if the new generation will be able to come to terms with a painful past and allow it defines the future?

Produced by the Pro Peace-Western Balkan Program, The Balkan Perspectives Podcast offers a nuanced and essential audio space focused on the complex processes of Dealing with the Past and the ongoing work of Peace Education across the region. This isn't just a news recap or a business analysis, though elements of both inform the conversations; it's a dedicated effort to understand how societies navigate the aftermath of conflict and build a sustainable future. Each episode brings forward voices often unheard in mainstream narratives-educators, community leaders, historians, and peacebuilders-who are actively engaged in the difficult, granular work of reconciliation and social repair. Listeners will hear frank discussions about memory, responsibility, and the economic and social dimensions of peace, all grounded in the specific context of the Western Balkans. The podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in the practicalities of non-profit work in post-conflict zones, the intersection of policy and lived experience, and the stories of resilience that define the area. By focusing on these deep, sometimes uncomfortable perspectives, the series provides clarity and insight far beyond simple headlines, fostering a more informed and empathetic understanding of a region steadfastly working towards a peaceful tomorrow.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

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