Impossibilities of cooperation among activists from Kosovo and Serbia
This piece was originally published in Albanian on S'bunker.
Cooperation among activists in the former Yugoslavia, especially during the 1990s, was one of the most significant events in regional activism again the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Especially feminist activists have played an essential role in the social and political transformation of the societies in the former Yugoslavia.
Worth mentioning are the protests of activists in Kosovo and Serbia and the cooperation among feminist activists in the region against the Milosevic regime, which emerged during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The women's peace coalition was composed of the Kosovo Women's Network, the Women in Black Network – and groups from Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain, Israel, and others. The coalition resulted from solidarity, support, and cooperation among women in the region.
The Women in Black Network emerged as an activists' network in 1991, intending to develop meaningful communication among feminist activists in the region. Instead, the activists managed to find an organic touch to combat the regime and provide a shared space where they could dialogue and talk together about their roles against the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
During this period, the Women in Black organized protests in the center of Belgrade against the crimes committed by the Milosevic regime in the former Yugoslavia. They held silent protests every Wednesday afternoon, expressing their opposition to the war, the Serbian government and its militarism, and violence against women.
Feminist activists in Serbia who fought for the rights of the women, refugees, and national minorities, more precisely, women who put gender identity before their national one - have been labeled as traitors of the Serbian nation primarily by radical nationalist groups in Serbia. As Orli Fridman had pointed out, combating denial and apathy in Serbia and breaking the silence when the war occurred in the former Yugoslavia seemed to be a central challenge for many anti-war groups.
Social and political reality after the 2000s
After the wars, cooperation among activists in Kosovo and Serbia was not as vibrant as it was during the 1990s. After the war, the international community mainly imposed collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia instead of having an organic development character.
However, immediately after the war, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) was established as a youth NGO, becoming a regional organization with programs in Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. Young people formed it in these countries to enhance youth participation in the democratization of society and establish connections in the post-Yugoslav region.
Through YIHR-organized activities, young people from Kosovo and Serbia have cooperated on issues such as LGBTQ rights, gender equality, culture, etc. YIHR has also developed a so-called "Visiting Program," which aims to analyze the current political and social situation in Kosovo and Serbia by exchanging the young people from both countries. In addition, YIHR has managed to develop and hold a festival like 'Mirëdita Dobar dan' by bringing together young activists from Kosovo and Serbia. The festival provided a platform for discussing controversial topics, such as dealing with the past. Also, it offered a space for exploring and discussing some points in history that have been interpreted differently in Kosovo and Serbia.
Moreover, feminist activists in Kosovo and Serbia tried alternative methods to continue their cooperation even after the 1990s and recognize each other's pain.
The tradition of young women gathering across borders to build peace was carried on by Artpolis and the Alternative Girl's Centre from Serbia, bringing together young women from Kosovo and Serbia at the annual Young Feminist Spring School. This program was vital as it opened up a space for discussion among young feminists from Kosovo and Serbia about topics such as dealing with the past.
Growth of regional cooperation
Undoubtedly, the wars in the former Yugoslavia have changed the whole social and political dynamics throughout the region, and nationalist policies have become more the focus of the states by negatively affecting the cooperation among activists.
There have been various difficulties in continuing cooperation between activists from Kosovo and Serbia. Since the 2000s, there has been a general decline in collaboration among activists throughout the region. Meanwhile, in recent years, regional cooperation has begun to change as activists from Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia have increased their cooperation in various fields, but not so much with activists from Kosovo.
Political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, the issue of dialogue, and the prevailing nationalist discourse are the main problems for increasing cooperation among activists. However, there is also political and social pressure against activists (especially in Serbia) working to improve collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia.
Beyond NGOs that work for the exact causes and have joint programs in Kosovo and Serbia, there is a disconnect between young people and activists in both countries, but also in recognizing the socio-political reality of these two countries. For example, during the 1990s, activists from Kosovo and Serbia had a common enemy that united them: the Milosevic regime. Today, however, the common enemy is not well defined. Moreover, the relations of activists to cooperate in various fields are blocked due to the unresolved political issues between Kosovo and Serbia.
There are many reasons for the lack of cooperation. However, the lack of a stable political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and unresolved political issues between the two countries, are considered significant problems that hinder the development of vibrant cooperation among activists. On the other hand, the nationalist master narrative dominating public discourse in Kosovo and Serbia contributes to the rise of barriers between the two societies. Stereotypes in Serbia that are tainted with racism toward Kosovo Albanians are commonly present, especially among those who have never been to Kosovo and refuse to change their mind regarding the people living there. Public discourse in Serbia generally focused almost exclusively on the Serb population living in Kosovo. Moreover, the nationalist master narrative in public discourse in Serbia and Kosovo has hampered the cooperation among activists, as they have been labeled traitors by their societies.
Thus, while today all attention regarding the Kosovo-Serbia relations is focused on solutions based on ethnic divisions and the strengthening of ethnic divisions, there is no room left for a discussion beyond these divisions. For instance, discussions focus on both societies' social, economic, political, and environmental aspects. Yet, these two societies and activists continue to be divided, while the daily problems of citizens continue to be similar.
Impossibilities of cooperation among activists from Kosovo and Serbia
Cooperation among activists in the former Yugoslavia, especially during the 1990s, was one of the most significant events in regional activism again the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Especially feminist activists have played an essential role in the social and political transformation of the societies in the former Yugoslavia.
Worth mentioning are the protests of activists in Kosovo and Serbia and the cooperation among feminist activists in the region against the Milosevic regime, which emerged during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The women's peace coalition was composed of the Kosovo Women's Network, the Women in Black Network – and groups from Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain, Israel, and others. The coalition resulted from solidarity, support, and cooperation among women in the region.
The Women in Black Network emerged as an activists' network in 1991, intending to develop meaningful communication among feminist activists in the region. Instead, the activists managed to find an organic touch to combat the regime and provide a shared space where they could dialogue and talk together about their roles against the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
During this period, the Women in Black organized protests in the center of Belgrade against the crimes committed by the Milosevic regime in the former Yugoslavia. They held silent protests every Wednesday afternoon, expressing their opposition to the war, the Serbian government and its militarism, and violence against women.
Feminist activists in Serbia who fought for the rights of the women, refugees, and national minorities, more precisely, women who put gender identity before their national one - have been labeled as traitors of the Serbian nation primarily by radical nationalist groups in Serbia. As Orli Fridman had pointed out, combating denial and apathy in Serbia and breaking the silence when the war occurred in the former Yugoslavia seemed to be a central challenge for many anti-war groups.
Social and political reality after the 2000s
After the wars, cooperation among activists in Kosovo and Serbia was not as vibrant as it was during the 1990s. After the war, the international community mainly imposed collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia instead of having an organic development character.
However, immediately after the war, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) was established as a youth NGO, becoming a regional organization with programs in Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. Young people formed it in these countries to enhance youth participation in the democratization of society and establish connections in the post-Yugoslav region.
Through YIHR-organized activities, young people from Kosovo and Serbia have cooperated on issues such as LGBTQ rights, gender equality, culture, etc. YIHR has also developed a so-called "Visiting Program," which aims to analyze the current political and social situation in Kosovo and Serbia by exchanging the young people from both countries. In addition, YIHR has managed to develop and hold a festival like 'Mirëdita Dobar dan' by bringing together young activists from Kosovo and Serbia. The festival provided a platform for discussing controversial topics, such as dealing with the past. Also, it offered a space for exploring and discussing some points in history that have been interpreted differently in Kosovo and Serbia.
Moreover, feminist activists in Kosovo and Serbia tried alternative methods to continue their cooperation even after the 1990s and recognize each other's pain.
The tradition of young women gathering across borders to build peace was carried on by Artpolis and the Alternative Girl's Centre from Serbia, bringing together young women from Kosovo and Serbia at the annual Young Feminist Spring School. This program was vital as it opened up a space for discussion among young feminists from Kosovo and Serbia about topics such as dealing with the past.
Growth of regional cooperation
Undoubtedly, the wars in the former Yugoslavia have changed the whole social and political dynamics throughout the region, and nationalist policies have become more the focus of the states by negatively affecting the cooperation among activists.
There have been various difficulties in continuing cooperation between activists from Kosovo and Serbia. Since the 2000s, there has been a general decline in collaboration among activists throughout the region. Meanwhile, in recent years, regional cooperation has begun to change as activists from Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia have increased their cooperation in various fields, but not so much with activists from Kosovo.
Political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, the issue of dialogue, and the prevailing nationalist discourse are the main problems for increasing cooperation among activists. However, there is also political and social pressure against activists (especially in Serbia) working to improve collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia.
Beyond NGOs that work for the exact causes and have joint programs in Kosovo and Serbia, there is a disconnect between young people and activists in both countries, but also in recognizing the socio-political reality of these two countries. For example, during the 1990s, activists from Kosovo and Serbia had a common enemy that united them: the Milosevic regime. Today, however, the common enemy is not well defined. Moreover, the relations of activists to cooperate in various fields are blocked due to the unresolved political issues between Kosovo and Serbia.
There are many reasons for the lack of cooperation. However, the lack of a stable political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and unresolved political issues between the two countries, are considered significant problems that hinder the development of vibrant cooperation among activists. On the other hand, the nationalist master narrative dominating public discourse in Kosovo and Serbia contributes to the rise of barriers between the two societies. Stereotypes in Serbia that are tainted with racism toward Kosovo Albanians are commonly present, especially among those who have never been to Kosovo and refuse to change their mind regarding the people living there. Public discourse in Serbia generally focused almost exclusively on the Serb population living in Kosovo. Moreover, the nationalist master narrative in public discourse in Serbia and Kosovo has hampered the cooperation among activists, as they have been labeled traitors by their societies.
Thus, while today all attention regarding the Kosovo-Serbia relations is focused on solutions based on ethnic divisions and the strengthening of ethnic divisions, there is no room left for a discussion beyond these divisions. For instance, discussions focus on both societies' social, economic, political, and environmental aspects. Yet, these two societies and activists continue to be divided, while the daily problems of citizens continue to be similar.
Impossibilities of cooperation among activists from Kosovo and Serbia
This piece was originally published in Albanian on S'bunker.
Cooperation among activists in the former Yugoslavia, especially during the 1990s, was one of the most significant events in regional activism again the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Especially feminist activists have played an essential role in the social and political transformation of the societies in the former Yugoslavia.
Worth mentioning are the protests of activists in Kosovo and Serbia and the cooperation among feminist activists in the region against the Milosevic regime, which emerged during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The women's peace coalition was composed of the Kosovo Women's Network, the Women in Black Network – and groups from Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain, Israel, and others. The coalition resulted from solidarity, support, and cooperation among women in the region.
The Women in Black Network emerged as an activists' network in 1991, intending to develop meaningful communication among feminist activists in the region. Instead, the activists managed to find an organic touch to combat the regime and provide a shared space where they could dialogue and talk together about their roles against the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
During this period, the Women in Black organized protests in the center of Belgrade against the crimes committed by the Milosevic regime in the former Yugoslavia. They held silent protests every Wednesday afternoon, expressing their opposition to the war, the Serbian government and its militarism, and violence against women.
Feminist activists in Serbia who fought for the rights of the women, refugees, and national minorities, more precisely, women who put gender identity before their national one - have been labeled as traitors of the Serbian nation primarily by radical nationalist groups in Serbia. As Orli Fridman had pointed out, combating denial and apathy in Serbia and breaking the silence when the war occurred in the former Yugoslavia seemed to be a central challenge for many anti-war groups.
Social and political reality after the 2000s
After the wars, cooperation among activists in Kosovo and Serbia was not as vibrant as it was during the 1990s. After the war, the international community mainly imposed collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia instead of having an organic development character.
However, immediately after the war, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) was established as a youth NGO, becoming a regional organization with programs in Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. Young people formed it in these countries to enhance youth participation in the democratization of society and establish connections in the post-Yugoslav region.
Through YIHR-organized activities, young people from Kosovo and Serbia have cooperated on issues such as LGBTQ rights, gender equality, culture, etc. YIHR has also developed a so-called "Visiting Program," which aims to analyze the current political and social situation in Kosovo and Serbia by exchanging the young people from both countries. In addition, YIHR has managed to develop and hold a festival like 'Mirëdita Dobar dan' by bringing together young activists from Kosovo and Serbia. The festival provided a platform for discussing controversial topics, such as dealing with the past. Also, it offered a space for exploring and discussing some points in history that have been interpreted differently in Kosovo and Serbia.
Moreover, feminist activists in Kosovo and Serbia tried alternative methods to continue their cooperation even after the 1990s and recognize each other's pain.
The tradition of young women gathering across borders to build peace was carried on by Artpolis and the Alternative Girl's Centre from Serbia, bringing together young women from Kosovo and Serbia at the annual Young Feminist Spring School. This program was vital as it opened up a space for discussion among young feminists from Kosovo and Serbia about topics such as dealing with the past.
Growth of regional cooperation
Undoubtedly, the wars in the former Yugoslavia have changed the whole social and political dynamics throughout the region, and nationalist policies have become more the focus of the states by negatively affecting the cooperation among activists.
There have been various difficulties in continuing cooperation between activists from Kosovo and Serbia. Since the 2000s, there has been a general decline in collaboration among activists throughout the region. Meanwhile, in recent years, regional cooperation has begun to change as activists from Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia have increased their cooperation in various fields, but not so much with activists from Kosovo.
Political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, the issue of dialogue, and the prevailing nationalist discourse are the main problems for increasing cooperation among activists. However, there is also political and social pressure against activists (especially in Serbia) working to improve collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia.
Beyond NGOs that work for the exact causes and have joint programs in Kosovo and Serbia, there is a disconnect between young people and activists in both countries, but also in recognizing the socio-political reality of these two countries. For example, during the 1990s, activists from Kosovo and Serbia had a common enemy that united them: the Milosevic regime. Today, however, the common enemy is not well defined. Moreover, the relations of activists to cooperate in various fields are blocked due to the unresolved political issues between Kosovo and Serbia.
There are many reasons for the lack of cooperation. However, the lack of a stable political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and unresolved political issues between the two countries, are considered significant problems that hinder the development of vibrant cooperation among activists. On the other hand, the nationalist master narrative dominating public discourse in Kosovo and Serbia contributes to the rise of barriers between the two societies. Stereotypes in Serbia that are tainted with racism toward Kosovo Albanians are commonly present, especially among those who have never been to Kosovo and refuse to change their mind regarding the people living there. Public discourse in Serbia generally focused almost exclusively on the Serb population living in Kosovo. Moreover, the nationalist master narrative in public discourse in Serbia and Kosovo has hampered the cooperation among activists, as they have been labeled traitors by their societies.
Thus, while today all attention regarding the Kosovo-Serbia relations is focused on solutions based on ethnic divisions and the strengthening of ethnic divisions, there is no room left for a discussion beyond these divisions. For instance, discussions focus on both societies' social, economic, political, and environmental aspects. Yet, these two societies and activists continue to be divided, while the daily problems of citizens continue to be similar.
Impossibilities of cooperation among activists from Kosovo and Serbia
Cooperation among activists in the former Yugoslavia, especially during the 1990s, was one of the most significant events in regional activism again the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Especially feminist activists have played an essential role in the social and political transformation of the societies in the former Yugoslavia.
Worth mentioning are the protests of activists in Kosovo and Serbia and the cooperation among feminist activists in the region against the Milosevic regime, which emerged during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The women's peace coalition was composed of the Kosovo Women's Network, the Women in Black Network – and groups from Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain, Israel, and others. The coalition resulted from solidarity, support, and cooperation among women in the region.
The Women in Black Network emerged as an activists' network in 1991, intending to develop meaningful communication among feminist activists in the region. Instead, the activists managed to find an organic touch to combat the regime and provide a shared space where they could dialogue and talk together about their roles against the Milosevic regime and the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
During this period, the Women in Black organized protests in the center of Belgrade against the crimes committed by the Milosevic regime in the former Yugoslavia. They held silent protests every Wednesday afternoon, expressing their opposition to the war, the Serbian government and its militarism, and violence against women.
Feminist activists in Serbia who fought for the rights of the women, refugees, and national minorities, more precisely, women who put gender identity before their national one - have been labeled as traitors of the Serbian nation primarily by radical nationalist groups in Serbia. As Orli Fridman had pointed out, combating denial and apathy in Serbia and breaking the silence when the war occurred in the former Yugoslavia seemed to be a central challenge for many anti-war groups.
Social and political reality after the 2000s
After the wars, cooperation among activists in Kosovo and Serbia was not as vibrant as it was during the 1990s. After the war, the international community mainly imposed collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia instead of having an organic development character.
However, immediately after the war, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) was established as a youth NGO, becoming a regional organization with programs in Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. Young people formed it in these countries to enhance youth participation in the democratization of society and establish connections in the post-Yugoslav region.
Through YIHR-organized activities, young people from Kosovo and Serbia have cooperated on issues such as LGBTQ rights, gender equality, culture, etc. YIHR has also developed a so-called "Visiting Program," which aims to analyze the current political and social situation in Kosovo and Serbia by exchanging the young people from both countries. In addition, YIHR has managed to develop and hold a festival like 'Mirëdita Dobar dan' by bringing together young activists from Kosovo and Serbia. The festival provided a platform for discussing controversial topics, such as dealing with the past. Also, it offered a space for exploring and discussing some points in history that have been interpreted differently in Kosovo and Serbia.
Moreover, feminist activists in Kosovo and Serbia tried alternative methods to continue their cooperation even after the 1990s and recognize each other's pain.
The tradition of young women gathering across borders to build peace was carried on by Artpolis and the Alternative Girl's Centre from Serbia, bringing together young women from Kosovo and Serbia at the annual Young Feminist Spring School. This program was vital as it opened up a space for discussion among young feminists from Kosovo and Serbia about topics such as dealing with the past.
Growth of regional cooperation
Undoubtedly, the wars in the former Yugoslavia have changed the whole social and political dynamics throughout the region, and nationalist policies have become more the focus of the states by negatively affecting the cooperation among activists.
There have been various difficulties in continuing cooperation between activists from Kosovo and Serbia. Since the 2000s, there has been a general decline in collaboration among activists throughout the region. Meanwhile, in recent years, regional cooperation has begun to change as activists from Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia have increased their cooperation in various fields, but not so much with activists from Kosovo.
Political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, the issue of dialogue, and the prevailing nationalist discourse are the main problems for increasing cooperation among activists. However, there is also political and social pressure against activists (especially in Serbia) working to improve collaboration among activists in Kosovo and Serbia.
Beyond NGOs that work for the exact causes and have joint programs in Kosovo and Serbia, there is a disconnect between young people and activists in both countries, but also in recognizing the socio-political reality of these two countries. For example, during the 1990s, activists from Kosovo and Serbia had a common enemy that united them: the Milosevic regime. Today, however, the common enemy is not well defined. Moreover, the relations of activists to cooperate in various fields are blocked due to the unresolved political issues between Kosovo and Serbia.
There are many reasons for the lack of cooperation. However, the lack of a stable political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and unresolved political issues between the two countries, are considered significant problems that hinder the development of vibrant cooperation among activists. On the other hand, the nationalist master narrative dominating public discourse in Kosovo and Serbia contributes to the rise of barriers between the two societies. Stereotypes in Serbia that are tainted with racism toward Kosovo Albanians are commonly present, especially among those who have never been to Kosovo and refuse to change their mind regarding the people living there. Public discourse in Serbia generally focused almost exclusively on the Serb population living in Kosovo. Moreover, the nationalist master narrative in public discourse in Serbia and Kosovo has hampered the cooperation among activists, as they have been labeled traitors by their societies.
Thus, while today all attention regarding the Kosovo-Serbia relations is focused on solutions based on ethnic divisions and the strengthening of ethnic divisions, there is no room left for a discussion beyond these divisions. For instance, discussions focus on both societies' social, economic, political, and environmental aspects. Yet, these two societies and activists continue to be divided, while the daily problems of citizens continue to be similar.