Latest
Press Release
27 June 2022
UNODC Executive Director’s Message International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Recording on May 27
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Story
22 June 2022
Father’s Involvement in Childcare is Crucial for Children to Reach their Potential
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Press Release
09 June 2022
EU and UNOPS: Students and Academic Staff of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Pristina University will Enjoy New Premises
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Kosovo
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Kosovo:
Publication
25 January 2021
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025
This United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025 (Cooperation Framework) articulates the United Nations development system’s cooperation with Kosovo institutions and partners over the next five years. Underpinned by solid analysis of key social, economic and environmental challenges, the Cooperation Framework aims to support progress towards sustainable development in Kosovo anchored around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with government and regional integration priorities. In short, the Cooperation Framework expresses collective aspirations for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient sustainable development for Kosovo.
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Publication
22 July 2021
Maximising Synergies Between the 2030 Agenda and Kosovo’s European Agenda
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Union (EU) Reform Agenda are both aimed at supporting development reforms and long-term prosperity, presenting important areas of complementarity and synergy. As a result, there is an opportunity to capitalise on the areas of complementarity and synergy that underlie these mutual efforts in Kosovo. The issue of sustainable development features heavily in EU strategic frameworks and policies: the 2030 Agenda is integrated systematically into the EU’s foreign policy, and sustainable development is a prevailing objective of the EU in Kosovo. Given this shared commitment to the SDGs, there is potential to collaborate more closely in Kosovo and expand on existing initiatives with the aim to facilitate Kosovo’s progress towards SDG achievement and further its development and progress on its European path.
This report illustrates how Kosovo’s development trajectory is directly intertwined with progress towards its EU aspirations. A comparison between the chapters of the EU acquis and the SDGs reveals over 60 per cent alignment. The framework for EU enlargement could help contribute to improved outcomes with respect to the SDGs and Kosovo development objectives. At the same time, if cross-sectoral intersections between the SGDs and the EU Reform Agenda are developed, Kosovo development outcomes would be further supported.
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Take Action
06 July 2021
New Reality (Realitet i Ri)
The Building Back Better – Realitet i Ri (New Reality) project attempts addressing the aforementioned challenges, through a collaboration of the United Nations Office with the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, and the implementing partner CiviKos.
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Take Action
02 November 2020
Health Buddy - Ask me about COVID-19
HealthBuddy is a joint initiative of UNICEF’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Send a text in the chat window to receive information about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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Publication
27 April 2021
UN Kosovo Team Results Report 2020
Key development partners of the UN in Kosovo:
In a year marked by the COVID-19 crisis, Resources Mobilised in 2020 ($54 m) partnerships were strengthened for renewed efforts to support the people of Kosovo to overcome the devastating effects of the pandemic. Existing areas of cooperation were deepened while new ones emerged both as an immediate response to the pandemic and for green, sustainable recovery.
The close coordination with key UNKT partners in the implementation of its CDP 2016–2020 is reflected in the extensive consultations the UNKT carried out in 2020 in the formulation of its five-year successor document to the CDP (the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025), with over 400 participants from the government, the private sector, academia, representatives of groups left behind, and the extensive network of civil society with whom the UNKT regularly interacts.
Funding of UNKT’s CDP 2016–2020 and its Socio-Economic Response Plan (SERP) has been mostly provided by local donor contributions, with an unprecedented USD 49.4 million contributed during 2020 for implementation in 2020 and beyond, in addition to USD 4.6 million of United Nations funding. This USD 54 million envelope is divided into USD 41 million for the SERP and USD 13 million for the CDP, highlighting the importance of the COVID-19 response. These local contributions are complementary to the indispensable core contributions provided by key donors to agencies, funds and programmes of the UNKT globally.
While a major focus of this year’s cooperation has been on responding to COVID-19, bilateral agreements have also continued supporting agencies in areas such as: innovations for youth (Austria); dealing with conflict legacies and building communalities through language (UK); occupational safety and health (Sweden); anti-corruption (Switzerland); combatting cybercrime (Norway); and fighting child labour (USA). Multilateral partners, such as the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Union (EU), have supported the inclusion of migrants and refugees, employment, and ending violence against women. The United Nations’ Multi-Partner Trust Fund and the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund have supported the UNKT in combating arms tracking and empowering youth to overcome division. Private partnerships have been expanded with banks, businesses and technology companies, and the COVID-19 response saw UNKT for the first time partner up for the distribution of in-kind donations to affected communities.
Coordination has been essential to the UNKT, which has played a constructive role through engagement in fora, co-chair of the health donor coordination group and in the EU Member States+ donor coordination group. As part of the COVID-19 vaccination committee, established by the Ministry of Health, and by providing strategic advice on the targeting and delivery of 15 economic recovery measures adopted by the government during 2020, the United Nations have played a critical role in helping Kosovo respond to the pandemic.
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Story
22 June 2022
Father’s Involvement in Childcare is Crucial for Children to Reach their Potential
Zubin Potok, 1 June – The early years of childhood are a time of great opportunity. This is the time when children’s brains develop the quickest, as they interact with their environment and others.
Here is where the role of the parents, both of them, comes in. Children’s brains, and abilities, can best develop with parental support and guidance.
Unfortunately, data shows us that the involvement of both parents in hands-on parenting in Kosovo is still low. According to the latest MICS data, overall 63 percent of children 2-4 years old engage with adult household members in activities that provide early stimulation, while mothers are four times more likely than fathers to engage with their children aged 2–4 years in activities that promote learning.
Srđan Đukic, a father of two young girls from Zubin Potok municipality, has challenged this trend. He is a role model who shows how important fathers’ engagement is in the lives of their children. Alongside his wife and two daughters Nina, 2 and Elena, 4, he took part in the June 1 celebration for International Children’s Day, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Zubin Potok municipality.
“It is important because we provide guidance to our children on how to choose the right path in life, and also create for them a safe and healthy space for their development from the very beginning,” Srđan said.
Srđan is a primary school music teacher and believes that art and play are essential to children’s early development. He makes sure that he reads, eats, and plays games with his daughters every day.
“I work from early in the morning which means that during the day my wife is more engaged with Nina whereas Elena goes with me to school. Even so, I try to spend 2.5 hours a day with my daughters playing educational games, playing with toys etc.,” he says.
Maja, his wife, says that it is important for both parents to be active and involved in parenting.
“Even though he is engaged and very busy at work he always finds a way to spend time with our daughters every day, and that is something that I see as an important act from his side because children need both parents in the learning process,” Maja said.
Maja is a stay-at-home mother, and it is very important for her to have some time for herself, since she is very engaged all day with house duties.
“I do not work (outside the home), so this is why I am more engaged with Nina from the morning until the end of the day, but the presence and involvement of my husband after work helps me to also have time for myself,” she said.
In a statement released on June 1, UNICEF emphasized that, like in many places around the world, children in Kosovo are still coping with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reversed decades of progress on access to health, education and nutrition services as well as threatened the mental well-being of children and parents.
The event of the 1st of June, which also marks the beginning of the Parenting Month, brought together 500 children and parents from pre-schools and primary schools from Zubin Potok municipality and to promote the importance of positive parenting and community support for early childhood development
Parental support during all times, especially during difficult times, is crucial, alongside investments and equitable government policies. Investments that support early childhood development lay the foundation of transformational improvement in outcomes for young children and their families. Digital innovation to support parents, such as Foleja parenting application, provide targeted support for parents and encompass all developmental domains of children, thus enhancing the understanding of the critical importance of a supportive, healthy, and stimulating environment.
Written by Leonora Aliu, UNICEF
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Story
11 May 2022
AJK, UN Kosovo Team and OSCE mark the World Press Freedom Day
The partners organised a set of activities with the aim to raise awareness on the challenges that free press is facing currently.
On 3 May, the AJK Executive Director, held a press conference, supported by the board of the AJK and colleagues reading a joint message to authorities, asking for more protection of the journalists and media in their work, as well as calling on all colleagues and media to uphold themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.
Banners with the following messages were set up in front of the main government building for three days:
Freedom of the Press is not only and Important Part of Democracy, but democracy itself!
Press is not the Enemy!
Media are a Watchdog to any Government!
On 4 May, AJK supported by Development Coordination Office of the UN and OSCE organised a conference, to discuss challenges of the journalists and other media professionals with the policymakers and other relevant institutions, that promote the rights of journalists.
Researcher Getoarbë Mulliqi Bojaj presented the findings of the report "Indicators of the Level of Media Freedom and Security of Journalists 2021", followed by a discussion of the findings by: Chairman of the Board of AGK, Xhemajl Rexha, Imer Mushkolaj - Executive Director of the Press Council, Yll Zekaj - Legal Expert and Abit Hoxha - Expert.
According to these findings, the situation of journalists continues to be serious, both by the pandemic and by political changes, the number of attacks on journalists has increased, while the tendency to silence of journalists through SLAPP (Strategic lawsuits against public participation) lawsuits is more prominent. While one of the recommendations of the report emphasized the need for journalists to report all cases of violation of their rights, the importance of RTK (Kosovo Public Broadcaster) financial independence, the independence of the selection of RTK and IMC (Independent Media Commission) boards, as and complete the KJC (Kosovo Judicial Council) Data Management System as soon as possible.
Also, the panel discussed the denigrating language used against journalists and its impact on media trust. The panel consisted of Doarsa Kica Xhelili - Chairwoman of the Committee on Public Administration, Local Government, Media and Regional Development of the Assembly of Kosovo; Leonard Kërquki - Director of the Express Newspaper, Rrezarta Delibashzade Krasniqi - Executive Director of NGO D4D and Granit Musliu - Member of the Independent Media Commission. During the second part of the conference, the second panel discussed freedom of press from the zones of conflict was discussed.
The second panel was composed of Lyudmila Makey – Journalist from Ukraine, the Head of Journalists Union of the Ukraine; Saranda Ramaj – Journalist on KTV and Jul Kasapi, a Journalist from Albania, who shared with participants and viewers their personal experiences of reporting from the conflict zones.
Through a direct link, the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Sergiy Tomilenko, joined the conference, expressing gratitude for the readiness of the of Kosovo to assist Ukrainian journalists.
Journalist Saranda Ramaj and journalist Jul Kasapi also shared their first-hand experiences of reporting from conflict areas.
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Story
04 May 2022
Communities Benefit from Afforestation and Reforestation Activities Supported by FAO
Contracted as a casual worker by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forestry program along with dozens of other workers, he is contributing in planting 33,000 beech and spruce seedlings in surrounding areas of his village in Dragash/s.
“We are planting these trees for the future of our kids. Afforestation is very important to have cleaner air and to further develop tourism in this area”, he said.
Looking after the forests is one of Çengaj’s biggest concerns. His family uses wood for heating, as many of other families in the rural areas do. But Çengaj and his fellow villagers are struggling to protect forests from illegal logging. They are fully aware on benefits that forests provide.
“Forests provides three major functions: social, economic and ecological, so we must all be committed to conserving this resource that the Earth has given us”, said Muhamet Sofi, who is supervising the casual workers contracted by FAO for afforestation activities in Dragash/s area. “Here many areas are bare and it is important to reforest them”, he added.
Forests covers 44% of the total area of Kosovo, which is higher than in neighboring countries. Through a programme co-funded by SIDA and EU, FAO is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and the Kosovo Forest Agency to strengthen their capacities for sustainable and multipurpose forest management to improve rural livelihoods and address climate change in Kosovo. The programme aims to increase the forestry sector’s contribution to the national economy through participatory and multi-purpose forest management.
In this regard, FAO is supporting also implementation of the National Afforestation and Reforestation Programme, as a major Kosovo programme to restore the forest cover and improve productivity. The aim of this programme is to use natively grown species in line with measures to reduce effects of climate change. Currently the afforestation and reforestation activities are implemented in Dragash/s area and Shterpce/Strpce through community engagement contracted as casual workers, including women and youth, which ultimately benefits entire communities in terms of income generation through forest activities. Last year activities were conducted in Mitrovica and Suhareka. A total of 50 hectares with about 140 thousand seedlings will be planted by FAO by beginning of May 2022, in addition to afforestation and reforestation activities implemented by MAFRD and KFA. Special attention was given in selection of areas for this activity through stakeholder and community consultation avoiding generation of conflict for land use, ensure positive impact of afforestation to the community through selection of proper species and preventing natural hazards, by providing income generation to the local communities and contribute to prevent the biodiversity loss and fight climate change.
On the occasion of the Earth Day, FAO donated 10,000 trees for a voluntary action of planting in the village of Kacandoll in Mitrovica, organized by the Local Climate Action Forum (LoCAF), in partnership with UN-Habitat Kosovo, FAO, Sustainability Leadership Kosovo (SLK), Municipality of Mitrovica South, and in cooperation with the Office of the President of Kosovo, the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, and the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Food, Agriculture, Planning and Development.
The UN Development Coordinator, Ulrika Richardson welcomed the initiative for tree planting by volunteers, emphasizing that forests regulate ecosystems, sustain economies, and make people healthy and happy.
“Of course, this is a small grain, but we know that the ocean is made of small drops, and forest is made up by seedlings, so if we don’t start, we will never get to rebuild our forests. We are not very proud of the legacy that we are leaving for younger generation, children and grandchildren, and I think it is time to change this legacy”, stated Richardson during the action of tree planting in Kaçandoll.
Planting areas in Dragash/s and Kaçandoll were visited also by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Faton Peci. “We have no other planet so we must protect our planet from any damages that may be caused and contribute to improving the situation. With small actions, we can address climate changes and address them either through policies that protect biodiversity, or through regular afforestation actions," said Minister Peci.
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Story
08 April 2022
A Good Soul: The Story of a Resilient Roma Woman
She is a single mother of three children, the youngest is only two years old. Her husband passed away two years ago. “Then we were hit by the pandemic,” she explains. “But we found salvation in good people who were willing to help us. I’m telling you, there is something when you’re a good soul.”, started Arieta our interview.
Every day, Arieta must think about how to secure food and clothes for her children. Their house has been renovated, so that her children can have decent living conditions, especially her two young daughters. "I didn't go to school. My father thought it was unnecessary. I'm ashamed when they ask me to put the signature somewhere. My daughter will learn to write and read, and I will do my best to make it possible for her."
Arieta says being a single mother is very difficult for her. She also has a mother-in-law, of whom she must also take care. She says she would love to go back to the old days, when she was smiling, happy and care-free. "Such was our childhood, barefoot, muddy... but happy. Now I have children who are not equally happy and that hurts me," says Arieta.
She says it has been a little easier since the beginning of this year because there are not as many casualties of the Covid-19 virus. “Also, people move and work more and that is good”.
Arieta likes to crochet and tie. "I'm not an artist,” she says laughing “but I try.” From time to time, Arieta receives orders for handcraft items. “It is nice to earn money, but it also takes a lot of work! I apply for seamstress courses wherever I can. It's hard because I don't have an education," says Arieta.
During the conversation, Arieta constantly reminds us that her children will attend school. "I want my daughters to be ladies who know how to talk, walk, write and read well, I don't want them to be like me! We, Roma, are hard to change. We are!" she says angrily.
She has been very emotional since her husband’s sudden passing.
“He was a great person,” she says as she looks at old pictures of him. “God took him away because of his greatness. And now, I have to move on for the sake of my children.”
We noticed that many neighbors approached us during the interview, encouraging us to help Arieta more. Apparently, this special “soul” is known for her kindness and her life story.
For Arieta, it is challenging to have to explain to someone that you need everything, and that anything could help. "The biggest help is when they don't forget you, when we are a part of everything that is going on. I am not educated, but I would also like to work and become literate! Not to be a simple soul," explains Arieta.
But what is it about this “soul” - as she calls it - that is so important to Arieta? “Everything is in the soul. It shows what kind of a person you are. That is why it matters,” she explains. “Good souls have helped me get through a difficult period of my life. I was left without a husband, and with three children to raise all on my own, when the pandemic started. But I want to get back up. I want to be able to earn money from my work; I can do everything from sowing to knitting, but I need a machine. I can also read cards and coffee cups too,” she says laughing.
“How do you do “coffee cup”?”
“I read someone’s future!”
“OK. Can you see yours? What does it say?”
“Happiness and friendships,” she says with a beaming smile.
Arieta is one of the many single-mother-headed households that have benefitted from the Voucher Scheme initiated by the “Response to Covid-19 Emergency and Early Recovery Support” project, funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented jointly by UNDP Kosovo and the Department for Social and Family Planning of the Ministry of Finance, Labor, and Transfers.
The aim has been to provide immediate support to families and communities most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, primarily targeting people living in extreme poverty or those struggling to make ends meet. The support has been targeted particularly on single-parent-headed households, non-majority communities, victims of gender-based violence, and people living in remote rural areas with limited access to social services.
The project is at the heart of UNDP’s Covid-19 recovery efforts and is based on the United Nations’ ‘leave no one behind’ principle. The disbursement of vouchers for those living on social assistance; the deployment of the UN Community Volunteers to Centers for Social Work through Kosovo; the interventions at the Centers and residential shelters, and the project’s other activities aim to provide relief to the most vulnerable groups, by providing temporary financial support and strengthening capacities in social work.
The article is originally published at the UNDP Kosovo site. https://undpkosovo.exposure.co/a-good-soul-the-story-of-a-resilient-roma-woman
Story by Danijela Mitic, photos by Arben Llapashtinca for UNDP Kosovo
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Story
14 March 2022
Expanding Choices: Strengthening Gender-Responsive Family Polices in the Business Sector
One of UNFPA’s strategic objectives in recent years has been to promote and facilitate gender-responsive family-friendly policies across the board, with a particular focus on the business community. Under this notion, in 2020 UNFPA launched the project Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies, which is being implemented in Kosovo, Albania and Moldova, financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation. The project – set to continue throughout 2022 – works with key stakeholders to broaden opportunities and options for women and men as they balance their careers with family life, and fulfil both their career and fertility aspirations.
Through a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of over 25 private companies operating in Kosovo, UNFPA has identified seven business organizations that have demonstrated the drive and passion to further advance the company rules, policies, and practices conducive to a family friendly workplace. Leading by example, the Champion Companies will demonstrate how family friendly policies do not just expand choices for women and men in the labor market, but also broaden company capacities, agility and ultimately position in the market.
To ensure mainstreaming of gender responsive family friendly policies throughout private and public sector in Kosovo, UNFPA has teamed up with Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and Kosovo Women’s Network, both of them actively involved in mentoring the Champion Companies in advancing as family-friendly workplaces. The centrepiece of this collaboration was the introduction of The Best of Kosovo 2021 award in the category of Family Friendly Workplaces, presented by the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce in Pristina on 18 February 2022. Along with other awards for companies with outstanding performance in different sectors, Cacttus Sh.A., Gjirafa and KIVO Kosova, all of them Champion Companies, received the acknowledgement of the Chamber of Commerce and business community for their commitment and achievements to promoting work-life balance through gender-responsive family-friendly policies and practices.
According to Ariel Shaban, Quality and Development Manager at KIVO Kosova, the award was “… a testament to seven years of creating a welcoming environment for our employees and their families… [The award] strengthens our reputation as a premium employer and is an invaluable tool for employee retention and recruitment in the future. We will therefore continue to streamline and develop our efforts to expand KIVO’s benefits for our employees and their families.”
“Through this award we got a recognition for the company’s policies which are designed to be suitable for a family–friendly work place,” expressed her satisfaction Loreta Tahiri from the Human Resource Department of Cacttus Sh.A. ”We will continue to work towards providing the best possible policies for our employees, thus implementing the recommendations of our partners: the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, UNFPA and Kosovo Women's Network," she added.
Greta Kamberi, Head of People and Culture for Gjirafa, reacted by saying that “We at Gjirafa are committed to nurturing a unique environment of shared purpose, which fosters innovation and collaboration; and we know that embracing a balance between life and work is key. We are honoured to be part of this project and thus able to learn, implement and contribute to further promote family-friendly workplace best practices.”
UNFPA and Kosovo Chamber of Commerce will continue to contribute towards creating more family-friendly workplaces in Kosovo. We are all looking forward to celebrating the family-friendly businesses every year and encourage all Kosovo companies to embrace this concept.
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Press Release
27 June 2022
UNODC Executive Director’s Message International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Recording on May 27
The pandemic undermined physical and mental health, strained healthcare systems, and disrupted drug treatment and services.
Instability from Ukraine to Afghanistan to Africa and beyond has increased the number of people in need of emergency assistance.
The industry of illicit drugs continues to ramp up during these challenging times.
In 2020, more than 280 million people around the world used drugs.
Seizures of synthetic drugs have multiplied in the last ten years, while the opioid crisis in North America claims more lives every day, and non-medical use of tramadol continues to endanger people in Africa and the Middle East.
Even as we work for long-term, sustainable solutions, there are people who need urgent access to treatment and care, now.
We need to reach those who are most difficult to reach, because they need us the most: people in refugee camps and humanitarian settings; people at risk of being left behind as a result of the pandemic; and people facing barriers of stigma and discrimination.
Women are among the foremost victims of conflict and crisis, and they often face greater barriers to treatment for drug use disorders.
In some parts of the world, the proportion of women among treated patients is below ten per cent.
We need to ensure access to care for all, including in emergencies.
We also need to ensure that controlled medicines are available for pain relief around the world, and in humanitarian settings.
At the UN Office on Drugs and Crime we are committed to providing care and support to the people affected by illicit drugs, no matter the circumstances.
Everyone has a role to play, from governments to civil society to individuals, in bringing the necessary attention and resources to this issue, and we stand ready to work with all of you.
Let us show those who need us that we care, by providing the care that they need in these times of crisis.
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Press Release
09 June 2022
EU and UNOPS: Students and Academic Staff of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Pristina University will Enjoy New Premises
The construction of new faculty premises is part of a broader EU for Employment and Education Program and is one of the many education infrastructure projects financed by the EU in Kosovo. From 2007 to 2022, the EU has invested EUR 85 million in the development of the education system in Kosovo, not including this project. The works on the new FMNS premises are expected to commence in September this year.
Speaking at the event, the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, said: “I am very proud that the EU is upgrading the educational infrastructure of the University of Pristina through the provision of modern and functional facilities for students and academic staff of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. These new, modern, and eco-friendly facilities will directly contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education in Kosovo and will promote gender equality and inclusiveness in the education system.”
In line with the presented design, in addition to modern research facilities, the new FMNS premises will also include breastfeeding rooms and will be surrounded by parks and public green areas benefiting both the students and the local community, while the building will be energy efficient and equipped with solar panels.
“The advancement of the infrastructure at the University of Pristina has been made possible with the support of our EU partner, whom I thank for their contribution not only to this project but to the development of higher education in general” – said the Minister, Ms. Arberie Nagavci.
The University of Pristina is co-funding the project and will supply furniture and laboratory equipment.
“The construction of this faculty is of great importance as the improvement of working conditions and the quality of studies in this faculty will indirectly improve the quality in other faculties within the University of Pristina” - said the Rector, Mr. Naser Sahiti.
Pristina Municipality has allocated land for the construction of the new FMNS in the vicinity of the Technical Faculty.
During his remarks, the Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Mr. Perparim Rama said: “This project will be an example for the standard that we intend to apply from now on in the capital, both in terms of construction and design standards, as well as the functional aspect that takes into account the gender and environmental aspect”.
This project is financed through the IPA 2014-2020 envelope: “EU4 Employment and Education” and is being led and implemented by UNOPS, which retains the final accountability and oversight over all aspects of management of the project and its results. The entire process from planning, designing and managing the project is implemented and led by UNOPS.
During the presentation of the design, the UNOPS Head of Office, Mr. Brendan Keirnan said: “UNOPS is committed to providing the best design solution and infrastructure work for this faculty in order to bring to students and staff a modern facility that fulfills their needs and expectations, is sustainable, efficient, and functional while respecting the highest standards of Quality Infrastructure.”
About UNOPS
UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way.
Read more: www.unops.org | https://www.facebook.com/UNOPSKosovo
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Press Release
26 April 2022
World Immunization Week 2022: #Long Life For All
World Immunization Week – celebrated every year during the last week of April – brings together partners across the world to promote the use of vaccines that protect people of all ages against disease. Spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the theme for this year’s World Immunization Week is #LongLifeForAll.
This year’s theme highlights the immense historic achievements of vaccinations across the globe. For over two centuries, vaccines have helped protect children and adults from serious and deadly diseases. Vaccines are among the most advanced achievements of modern science, decreasing by half infant mortality and saving millions of lives throughout the world.
While recognizing the seismic historical impact of vaccines, the world is also at a crossroads currently. Globally, COVID-19 put a huge strain on health systems and services, which now threatens to reverse years of hard-won progress on routine immunizations around the world, including in Kosovo. An alarming 23 million children worldwide missed out on their vaccinations in 2020. This number can only be reduced through a greater commitment to and investment in immunization services by all.
Kosovo still has significant vaccination gaps for routine immunizations. Only three in four children or 73 per cent of children in Kosovo are fully immunized[1] as per the national immunization schedule. And even more concerning are the striking inequalities that the data highlights, as the same percentage – children fully immunized – is only 38 per cent for children from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, with more than half missing some of their critical immunizations.
To minimize the impact of COVID-19 on routine immunizations, especially among vulnerable groups, UNICEF in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health conducted a door-to-door campaign to identify children who had missed their vaccinations. During a little over a year, a total of 6,300 children – the majority of them from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities – were supported to be vaccinated by Family Medicine mobile vaccination teams through the campaign.
Since early 2021, the UN has also been closely involved with the Ministry of Health in supporting Kosovo with the COVID-19 vaccination planning and rollout, including the training of healthcare professionals and setting up of specific vaccination sites. Despite the collective effort, with 50 per cent vaccination coverage as of date (at least one dose), Kosovars are urged to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate to protect themselves from potential serious illness.
As one of the most cost-effective health interventions, WHO and UNICEF emphasize that vaccination is a cornerstone of universal health coverage and vital to achieving optimal health for all, everywhere. Every opportunity should be sought to vaccinate children and adults as per the routine immunization calendar. All WHO pre-qualified vaccines are safe and efficient.
About UNICEF and WHO:
UNICEF and WHO work with authorities in over 190 countries, territories and areas to strengthen national health and immunization programmes, including in Kosovo.
For further information, please contact:
Dafina Zuna, UNICEF Kosovo, Tel: +383 44 185 123, dzuna@unicef.org
Edita Haxhiu, WHO office, Pristina, Tel: +383 44 155 635, haxhiue@who.int
[1] According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Kosovo Agency of Statistics and UNICEF 2020. The number represents the percentage of children aged 24–35 months who had received all the vaccinations recommended.
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Press Release
08 March 2022
Op-Ed for the Secretary-General: “A Sustainable Feminist Recovery”
The cascading crises of recent years have highlighted how women’s leadership is more crucial than ever.
Women have heroically confronted the COVID-19 pandemic as doctors, nurses, and public health and social care workers.
But at the same time, women and girls have been the first to lose out on jobs or schooling, taking on more unpaid care work, and facing skyrocketing levels of domestic and cyber abuse and child marriage.
The pandemic has highlighted even more starkly an age-old truth: the roots of patriarchy run deep. We still live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture.
As a result, in good times or bad, women are more likely to fall into poverty. Their healthcare is sacrificed and their education and opportunities are curtailed.
And in countries enduring conflict — as we see from Ethiopia to Afghanistan to Ukraine -- women and girls are the most vulnerable but also the most compelling voices for peace.
As we look to the future, a sustainable and equal recovery for all is only possible if it is a feminist recovery — one that puts progress for girls and women at its centre.
We need economic progress through targeted investments in women’s education, employment, training and decent work. Women should be first in line for the 400 million jobs we are called to create by 2030.
We need social progress through investments in social protection systems and the care economy. Such investments yield huge dividends, creating green, sustainable jobs, while supporting members of our societies that need assistance, including children, older people and the sick.
We need financial progress, to reform a morally bankrupt global financial system, so all countries can invest in a woman-centred economic recovery. This includes debt relief and fairer tax systems that channel some of the massive pockets of wealth around the world to those who need it most.
We need urgent, transformative climate action, to reverse the reckless increase in emissions and gender inequalities that have left women and girls disproportionately vulnerable. Developed countries must urgently deliver on their commitments on finance and technical support for a just transition from fossil fuels. The successful, stable economies of the future will be green, gender-inclusive and sustainable.
We need more women in leadership in government and business, including finance ministers and CEOs, developing and implementing green and socially progressive policies that benefit all their people.
We know, for example, that having more women in parliaments is linked with stronger climate commitments and higher levels of investment in healthcare and education.
We need political progress through targeted measures that ensure women’s equal leadership and representation at all levels of political decision-making, through bold gender quotas.
Gender inequality is essentially a question of power. Uprooting centuries of patriarchy demands that power is equally shared across every institution, at every level.
At the United Nations, we have achieved — for the first time in the organization’s history — gender parity in senior management at headquarters and around the world. This has dramatically improved our ability to better reflect and represent the communities we serve.
Every step of the way, we can take inspiration from women and girls pushing for progress in every sphere and every corner of our globe.
Young women climate campaigners are leading global efforts to pressure governments to live up to their commitments.
Women’s rights activists are bravely demanding equality and justice, and building more peaceful societies as peacekeepers, peacemakers and humanitarians in some of the world’s trouble zones and beyond.
In societies where women’s rights movements are vibrant, democracies are stronger.
When the world invests in expanding opportunities for women and girls, all of humanity wins.
As a matter of justice, equality, morality and plain common sense, we need to turn the clock forward on women’s rights.
We need a sustainable, feminist recovery centred around — and driven by — women and girls.
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Press Release
27 December 2021
Secretary-General on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an unwavering voice for the voiceless.
Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world. During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance.
Archbishop Tutu’s relentless determination to build global solidarity for a free and democratic South Africa was fittingly recognised by the Nobel Committee in its decision to award him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
As Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he made an immeasurable contribution to ensuring a peaceful, yet just, transition to a democratic South Africa. His great wisdom and experience were always communicated with humanity, humour and heart.
Archbishop Tutu was a steadfast champion of multilateralism and had important roles, for example, as a distinguished member of the United Nations’ Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention, and on a High Level Fact-Finding Mission to Gaza in 2008.
In recent decades, Archbishop Tutu continued to fight passionately for action on many of the critical issues of our time – poverty, climate change, human rights and HIV/AIDS, among others.
Although Archbishop Tutu’s passing leaves a huge void on the global stage, and in our hearts, we will be forever inspired by his example to continue the fight for a better world for all
New York, 26 December 2021
Bookmark the Spokesperson’s website: http://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
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Resources
17 June 2022
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