At a time of intense mixed emotions for Kosovo's multi-ethnic population, 14 Kids for Peace clubs throughout Kosovo model a form of cooperation between ethnic
communities. Over 400 children still speak up to Kosovo's adults to follow their example if they are to achieve long-term peace.
Ever since its inception in 2002, World Vision Kosovo's
'Kids for Peace' project has brought together hundreds of children from various ethnicities to promote respect and understanding for each other. The peace education project teaches basic life skills
to rural children with the aim of equipping them to deal with the problems of ethnic division around them. It has given children from different ethnic groups the chance to establish new friendships
across ethnic boundaries. Children have learned about each other's ways of life and gotten to know about the traditions, religions and cultures of their ethnic neighbors.
As stated by
19-year-old founder of the Kids for Peace project, Fatmire Feka: 'The youth and children of today become the fighters and politicians of tomorrow. Youth and children must be supported to build peace
through education, on going dialogue and active participation.'
On February 17th, 8 years after the NATO led war in 1999, Kosovo's parliament made a unilateral declaration of independence
effectively declaring Kosovo as the world's youngest state. Celebrations all over Kosovo lasted well into the night as ethnic Albanians took to the streets to mark this milestone in their history. Yet
while the Albanian population celebrated what they see as a reward for many years of struggle for self-determination, the Serb population is angry at what they perceive as an illegal cessation of
Kosovo from their country. Celebrations in Pristina contrasted with violent scenes in Belgrade where rioters clashed with police.
While this marks a new era for Kosovo, the social
problems of ethnic hatred and division remain. These are problems with deep roots and a cyclical nature that will take many years to address. The potential for continued ethnic conflict is real. It
highlights the need to continue to reach out to the younger generation of Kosovars who are left to make sense of the world around them.
World Vision with its Kids for Peace Project has
spent the last six years building a culture of peace and promoting responsible living amongst the children of the ethnically divided Kosovo. Fourteen clubs host some 350 children from all ethnicities.
In order for this work to continue on a self-sustainable basis and expand in other areas, close monitoring and facilitation assistance is provided by World Vision Kosovo, particularly to schools with
the least capacity to run clubs independently. Next to the club concept, World Vision has built 'peace building' into its Microfinance programme, assuring that the various ethnic groups come and work
together also in developing Kosovo economically.
World Vision couples the Kids-for-Peace-club approach with peace-summer camps and peace-clubs for teenagers. It seeks to use the peace
building concept in other conflict situation in the Caucasus and the Middle East.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A policeman walks past the damaged Slovenian embassy building after riots in Belgrade February 18, 2008. Kosovo Albanians declared independence on Sunday, confidently awaiting Western recognition for their state despite the ...
