Press Release: The first Transitional Justice Resource Centre of Kosovo launches today at the University of Pristina
The first Transitional Justice Resource Centre in Kosovo is launched in Pristina today by the University of Pristina, UN Women and UNDP with financial support from the European Union. The Centre will aim to enhance the role of education in transitional justice processes, peace-building, human rights and establish conditions for reconciliation.Date:
Pristina, 11 May 2018 – The launch of the first-ever Transitional Justice Resource Centre (TJRC) today at the University of Pristina brought together key partners of transitional justice processes from the government, civil society and academia. The event was organized by UN Women, UNDP and the University of Pristina, with financial support from the European Union.
The TJRC will aim to enhance the role of education on transitional justice processes, by providing education programs, academic resources, scientific research, and awareness raising activities. The Centre will promote the participation of the youth in peace-building, human rights and social cohesion.
In her opening remarks, Flora Macula, UN Women Head of Office in Kosovo[1], highlighted the importance of including a gender-sensitive approach in the Centre: “The Transitional Justice Resource Centre will provide a gender perspective on war and peace-building, with a specific focus on sexual violence during conflict. We hope the Centre will transform the way young women and men perceive wartime sexual violence and make them relate to those who have experienced it. For survivors of wartime sexual violence, rebuilding their lives is a long and complex process and they face new challenges for survival and social acceptance every day. It is crucial that the Kosovo's next generation put an end to the stigma that survivors face.”
UN Development Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Ulrika Richardson, emphasized the crucial of the youth in promoting peace and security: “The students, young women and men, should take advantage of this new Transitional Justice Resource Centre, be curious, be open, learn as much as possible, and hold those in power accountable. The youth of today, will shape Kosovo of tomorrow!"
"Transitional Justice Resource Center is the first resource center at the University of Pristina with the goal to increase the role of education in the processes of transitional justice”, said Marian Demaj, Rector of University of Prishtina, confirming the commitment for the sustainability of the center.
Women's representation in transitional justice processes was emphasized as “crucial for the establishment of the truth, reconciliation & sustainable peace" by Annette Fath-Lihic, EUSR Chief Political Adviser/Executive Coordinator,
Former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga highlighted that: "Sustainable peace can only be achieved through education and investment in the young generation”.
“Providing reconciliation and transitional justice is a complex process. The establishment of the TJRC is a useful tool in supplementing previous efforts and a clear manifestation of the importance of academia in providing progress in society,” said Per Strand Sjaastad, Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy to Kosovo.
The event organized by UN Women, UNDP and University of Pristina, is part of the UN Women project Gender Sensitive Transitional Justice, funded by European Union.
For more information, please contact: Rozafa Kelmendi, UN Women
Tel: 038 554 645/651/654, e-mail: [ Click to reveal ]
[1] All references to Kosovo on this website shall be understood to be in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).