Category Archives: Innovation

Kosovo’s National Strategy on Diaspora

The workshop for developing Kosovo’s first ever National Strategy on Diaspora took place on the 13th of June in Prizren. After two workshops held in January and May, over 20 participants came together to finalize this important document in Prizren.

According to DEED, amongst the participants 25% of them were women and three were members of diaspora from England, Italy and Switzerland. This helped the results of the workshop to more accurately represent the real willingness of members of diaspora to get engaged in economic development.

As a result of this workshop the first draft of the Action Plan was finalized in coordination with the Ministry of Diaspora for the final approval by the Government of Kosovo.

The original article was posted at DEED – Click here to read the original article.

Share your diaspora experience!

What is your impact in Kosovo?

Send a video (Max. 2 minutes) or a short story (Max 2 pages) until 23rd of June. The most creative and informative post will win an IPad! Click here to read the rules and regulations on participation.The form could be downloaded here

The writings and videos should be submitted at [email protected]

By submitting your video and writings, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions cited above.

Diaspora voting made possible through mail

If you are from the Republic of Kosovo but are currently living abroad, you can apply and register to vote for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections of 2014. 

The registry form dedicated to voting through mail could be found at the following sources:

www.kqz-ks.org (Formulari IFormulari II)

  • Help lines:

+ 381 (038) 213 100, dhe +381 (038) 213 200

  • Kosovo embassies and consulates.

The following criteria applies for all interested to part-take on the elections:

  • Be of the age of 18 years by 8th of June 2014
  • Be registered at the Civil Registry Database of Republic of Kosovo as well as posses a national ID card released by Republic of Kosovo or UNMIK ,
  • Also, posses a document that verifies the legitimacy of one’s Registration at the Civil Registry Database of Kosovo.

If you are in possession of  an expired Kosovo or UNMIK ID document, please do send the expired document, alongside with a copy of a current valid document released by the host country.

The signed form, together with all the necessary documentation should be received by KQZ no later than 19th of May 2014.

The signed form could be sent to:

·  Through regular mail to the following address ( Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve, Votimi Përmes Postës, K.P. 6 Kutia 351, 10 000 Prishtinë, Republika e Kosovës).

·  Through email ([email protected], and [email protected])

·  Through FAX: +381 (038) 213 200.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch Click here to read the original article.

704 thousand Kosovars live abroad

Germany leads as a host country with roughly 35.25%, followed by Switzerland with 22.94%, thus making them two of the countries with the biggest Kosovar diaspora communities.

At a conference held on 24th of April 2014, the Kosovar Agency of Statistics published the “Kosovar Migration” report where extensive data was presented regarding the Kosovar Migration.The report sheds light on data gathered from 2011 population census as well as various other sources of international migratory patterns. The information regarding international migratory patters were mainly focused on the period between 1969 till 2011.

The total population of Kosovo, including the emgrants and those of Kosovan origin is 2,483,999. The resident population of Kosovo counts to 1,780,021, whereas the emigrant populaiton acounts for 550,000, the approximated population believed to have Kosovan origins (born abroad) is 154,978. Thus, the population of Kosovar diaspora (emigrants and those born abroad) is 703,978. Germany(35.25%) and Switzerland(22.94%) are the two countries with the greatest Kosovar communities.

The head of ASK, Isa Krasniqi argued that the Migration Report contains the demographic and socio-economic scope, thus for the researchers and various think tanks and institutions, the report will be a great source and important literature in understanding the migratory trends on the scope of reproductive,gender and age based studies.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch Click here to read the original article.

Kosovo and Albania merge consulates in search for a united representation

Foreign Ministry heads, from both Kosovo and Albania have recently signed an agreement in favor of merging consulates in Milan(Italy) and Canberra (Australia). 

Foreign Minister of Albania, Dimitri Bushati has been paying a visit to his fellow minister from Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, whom together signed the agreement. During the meeting, both ministers have discussed the benefits that the diaspora community would gain from the unified presentation of both Kosovo and Albania. Thus, through this step, giving momentum to enhancing a long term strategic partnership.

Both representatives have given their opinion on the impact such an agreement will have towards the European path of both countries. “It is a highly important step, such agreements lead towards a more stable region and with a growing positive influence of Albanian factor and orientation towards European integration” said Mr. Hoxhaj.

While at this stage, the project foresees the merging of consulates only in Milan and Canberra, it is crucially important that such steps are taken in other countries too. The unified representation will  lead towards a growing efficiency and cultural unity among the diaspora abroad.

The original article was posted at Panorama.com.al Click here to read the original article.

First all inclusive Diaspora Registry, ready for use!

Kosovo’s Diaspora Minister Mr. Ibrahim Makolli is eager to see that by the end of September, Kosovo shall have a clear image on the Diaspora members abroad. Within the upcoming days, the Kosovo government shall open its registries online that will in turn make it possible for the diaspora members to apply and fill in the necessary information.

The actual database registry has been ready for use for a month now, however, it was intended that first it goes through preliminary testing stages before it was given to the public. Mr. Makolli explains that this shall be a state of the art system, with legislative protection of sensitive user data.

“We are at the testing stage with the system, it is foreseen to be ready for use by Monday. The system shall work in a secure basis and users should not fear that their privacy is infringed, the database with user sensitive data is secure and protected by the law” claimed Mr. Makolli.

The forms, based on the Ministry of Diaspora, could be found at all the Kosovan embassies and consulates, at all the Kosovan municipalities as well as all the traveling points such as the “Adem Jashari” airport and the Ministry of Diaspora.

“The data collection is intended to be done in three general stages. Initially the forms were distributed throughout the border checkpoints since there was an influx of diaspora community throughout the year end celebrations. Following shall be the distribution of forms and applications at the embassies and consulates, as well as electronic sites,whereas the third stage will begin in the summer” explained Mr. Makolli. Thus it is expected that by autumn, if the process goes well, the Ministry shall have a better image of diaspora statistics.

The database will have a multitude of benefits. Starting from easing administrative procedures, concerning personal documents, assistance with business matters as well as miscellaneous diaspora matters.

For further information upon the procedures, the diaspora community could visit the following page : www.rdks.info

The said project, has been initiated by the Kosovo Government on 24th of last years April, as a Concept Document. Based on it, the diaspora registry shall include information regarding : the number, age, gender,profession, economic and intellectual capacity, their level of organisation.

Having an accurate picture on the diaspora members and their numbers is crucial on understanding the development and economic trends on Kosovo itself. While the latest census brings dilemmas upon the population variation from the previous 81′ and 91 censuses, it is without doubt that the Diaspora is a strong contributor to the Kosovo society, demographic wise as well as economically.

The original article was posted at ALbinfo.ch. Click here to read the original article.

You don’t have to be Adnan Januzaj to make Kosovo known

Have you ever felt that we are part of a secondary country? I have. Have you ever felt that we are a real country, but people don’t treat us like that? I have. Yes, we are an independent state, and yes the majority of the West backs us, but still …

By Stefan van Dijk

A concrete example of this is the fact that many big websites (social media, airports, banks, universities) act like they have never heard about Kosovo. The good news is that the initiative Digital Kosovo creates the opportunity for every Kosovar to act against this misunderstanding. You just send an email, tweet or write a handwritten letter (how romantic!), and advocate for Kosovo. We all know the success stories: the big fishes Google and LinkedIn have changed their policy due to individual’s requests to do so. They have recognized Kosovo – power to the people!

Kuwait yes, Kosovo no!
Recently I have tried to open a new bank account at my favorite Dutch bank. I go to their website and fill in the online form. I have to answer if I am living in the Netherlands or abroad. Because I live in Kosovo I click on ‘abroad’. A big drop-down menu shows up with hundreds of countries. I browse to the ‘K’ but I only find Kuwait and Korea. What the…?

I decide not to accept this administrative detail, and immediately contact the bank. For two weeks I speak with them via e-mail, twitter and telephone (thank God, they call me, otherwise I will go bankrupt). Every time they come up with different arguments why Kosovo is not in their drop-down menu. Meanwhile, I decide to contact the other big banks in Holland, and asks them to add ‘Kosovo’ to their lists. These banks seem to be more willing and promised to fix the mistake as soon as possible.

National radio
My own bank in Holland is still refusing to recognize Kosovo as a country. Frustrating, but I know for sure that several of their employees are irritated because a Dutch Kosovo-fan keeps complaining. Besides that, the Dutch national radio station Radio 1 interviews me a day later about the failing bank.

Even though one bank is refusing to change their website, their two competing banks did change it. And only for one reason: a normal guy has sent a simple email. Well, maybe more than an email. And I think that this is the power that individuals can play in terms of helping Kosovo be known. Not only Adnan Januzaj and Rita Ora are  able to change the face of Kosovo in the world. Each one of us can. You only need an internet connection or – for all you romantic Kosovars out there – a pencil and paper.

As a Dutch friend of Kosovo, I did my part. I believe each Kosovar can do that. The tools are there – just visit DigitalKosovo.org, or take the phone and make a call.

***
Stefan van Dijk has visited Kosovo on and off since 2004. Because he has a crush on the country, he has decided to live there since for the past two years. Stefan combines his work as a journalist, communication adviser, and NGO-worker. You can reach him @stefanspreekt

The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect Kosovo Diaspora’s editorial policy.