Public Discussions and Round Tables 2003 - 2006
ATRC holds monthly public discussions and legislative briefings in an effort to inform NGOs about initiatives the y can undertake; provide a forum for the exchange of experience and ideas; provide expertise for NGOs on different issues; provide networking opportunities for NGOs; inform the public of civil society’s activities; and discuss social, economic, and political matters of interest in Kosovo. When appropriate, ATRC invites the media in order to ensure that the information shared at public discussions reaches a wider audience. Therefore local and national television stations, newspapers, and radio stations have covered nearly all of ATRC’s public discussions.

PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS ON DRAFT LAW ON PENSION AND INVALIDITY INSURANCE

ATRC - in Partnership with

• KDI Gjilan and Association of Pensioners Gjilan,
• Independent Union of Pension and Invalids of Kosova,
• NGO Resource Center Prizren, MINGOS Mitrovica,
• NGO Forum Gjakova,
• Association of Pensioner of Kosova branch Peja

June, 17, 20, 21, 23, 27 and 29

Event purpose: civil society representatives and Naim Hoda, Director of Pension Administration from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Mazlum Baraliu, Law Expert, ATRC Executive Director, Municipal Directorate of Social Welfare of Gjilan Municipality discussed pension draft law.
Event outcome: participants concluded that its necessary law to be approved as soon as possible by the parliament of Kosova.
Key points raised by participants:

• The issue of the pensioners should be taken very seriously by the officials,
• The pensioners after seven years are still without pension,
• Ministry of Economy and Finance should be prepared for budget implications after that law is being approved,
• What will happen with pensioners that contributed in old Yugoslav pension fund etc. more...

“KOSOVO IN EUROPE”

ATRC and Youth Initiative for Human Rights organized on May 18 a discussion between Stephen Heintz, President of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and civil society representatives, entitled “Kosovo in Europe”. The discussion was focused on developments of negotiations about the future status of Kosovo, integration in European Union, issues related to interethnic relations, role and contribution of civil society in supporting official dialogue.
“The Rockefeller Brothers Fund will continue to focus primarily in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, while reserving flexibility to support exceptional regional and cross-frontier efforts”, Heintz said. more...

CIVIL SOCIETY TO CONTINUE ITS CONTRIBUTION FOR AN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE IN KOSOVO

On May 12, ATRC organized a roundtable discussion between Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the political party “Aleanca për Ardhërinë e Kosovës - AAK”, and local non-governmental organizations, to discuss the latest political developments in Kosovo.
Haradinaj praised the role of civil society towards the successful developments in the country, urging it “to continue its contribution for a more better and accountable governance”. more...

"CORRUPTION IN CIVIL SOCIETY"

In this round table present were representatives of NGOs, media and local and international donors. Civil Society has an important role in fighting corruption in the public sector, but to fulfill this role Civil Society has to build its credibility in front of public by fighting corruption within itself. Representatives agreed to form a group that will inform and coordinate the NGOs in Kosova, to take part in drawing a Code of Ethics, which would then form a Council that would help implement the Code of Ethics within NGOs. more...

“CIVIL SOCIETY SHOULD OFFER SOLUTIONS, NOT ONLY BE CRITICAL TOWARDS POLITICAL FACETS”

Civil society representatives discussed manners of cooperation with President’s and Prime Minister’s Offices at a meeting with Samet Dalipi, president’s political advisor for civil society and Jahja Lluka, prime minister’s adviser for social issues and civil society. more...

"CHALLENGES OF OPPOSITION TOWARDS GOVERNMENT AND NEGOTATIONS FOR FINAL STATUS"

NGO representatives and Hashim Thaçi, leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and member of Negotiation Team, held a roundtable meeting on March 22 at ATRC to discuss challenges of opposition towards government and negotiations for final status. more...

CIVIL SOCIETY TO INITIATE QUALITATIVE PUBLIC DEBATES

Local NGO representatives and Prof. Muhamet Mustafa from Riinvest Institute discussed on March 10 the latest political and economical developments in Kosovo, at a roundtable discussion organized by ATRC.    Mustafa outlined the need for constructive debates in Kosovo. “Civil society has initiated qualitative debates, but still Kosovo has not reached the proper level of debates on sensitive issues for society”, he said.
more...

"WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN NEGOTATIONS IS NECESSITY, NOT A WISH"

On March 10, Civil Society representatives debated the issue of women participation in negotiations for Kosovo final status during a public discussion, organized by ATRC and Gender Training and Research Center. This NGO meeting aimed to initiate a broad based debate on the very specific issue. Women ’s role in negotiations, advocacy for women participation in such process, and gender equality and legislation in Kosovo were explained by the panelists: Edita Tahiri. more...

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMISSION NEEDS TO QUICKEN

Media, NGO representatives and responsible actors for the delay of establishment of Independent Media Commission ( IMC) gathered at ATRC on March 6 to clarify the reason behind this delay. Bob Gillete, the Temporary Media Commissioner in Kosovo explained that certain recent developments in Kosovo's political scene obstructed the process of establishing this Commission, such as the death of President Rugova and the latest changes within the governmental structures. more...

"KOSOVO AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AFTER THE STATUS"

ATRC organized on March 2 a public discussion between Veton Surroi, leader of the political party ORA and local NGOs, entitled “Kosovo and European Integration after the Status”.                                                ORA leader and civil society representatives linked Kosovo integration in EU with efficient governance, functional democracy and respect of the majority-minority relations. more...

"ENVIRONMENT AND WASTE MANAGMENT IN KOSOVO"

ATRC organized on February 21 a roundtable discussion entitled “Environment and Waste Management in Kosovo”, led by environmental engineer Jim McGill, who has been in the environmental business for 25 years designing cost effective environmental solutions.                             The roundtable discussion, attended by local environment NGO representatives, addressed sensitive issues related to environmental issues on concerns in Kosovo.

ACCESS TO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS STILL LIMITED

ATRC and IREX/Media organized a roundtable discussion on 7 February at ATRC where government, NGO and media representatives gathered to address issues related to the implementation of the Law on Access to Official Documents. The roundtable opened a debate on the development of mechanisms for implementation of the Law, focusing on the delay of applying it, three years after adoption by National Assembly. more...

KOSOVO NGO REPRESENTATIVES MEET THE DONOR "BALKAN TRUST FOR DEMOCRACY"

ATRC organized on 2 February a meeting with NGO representatives and Mr. Marcel Grogan from Balkan Trust for Democracy, which is a project of German Marshall Fund of the US. The meeting aimed to inform local NGOs about Balkan Trust principal program areas. Mr. Grogan’s introduction outlined funding objectives, current priorities and application procedures, as well as available funds for the region.

VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALIST ON THE RISE IN KOSOVO

ATRC, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) and the Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo (APJK) organized a public discussion at ATRC on 13 January to discuss the rise of incidences involving violence against journalists in Kosovo. Police response to such cases, journalists’ worki ng conditions and institutional pressure for independent media were the focus of the debate, in which the media, NGOs and police representatives participated. more...

ATRC and KODI roundtable                                                                NGOs call for Pension Reform, 14 December 2005                            ATRC and the local think tank Kosovo Research and Documentation Institute (KODI) organized a roundtable discussion on 14 December at ATRC where pension system authorities and beneficiaries gathered together to address issues related to the quality of pension services in Kosovo. ATRC and KODI will continue to assist pensioners in advocating for pension system reform in Kosovo.

ATRC and ÇOHU public debate, December 5th 2005                         "Corruption in our Society: What do we do to fight it?"
ATRC and the local NGO, Organization for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity 'Çohu' organized a cross sector public debate at ATRC offices, to discuss and review the mechanisms used in Kosovo to combat corruption.
NGO, government and media representatives were present in the debate, moderated by Anton Ndreca, "ÇOHU" member.

ATRC, FDI and IREX roundtable, December 6 2005                     "Diplomacy, Negotiations and Civil Society"                                    ATRC, FDI and IREX organized a roundtable meeting with Kosovo NGO representatives and Miroslav Lajçak, General Director for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia on December the 6th at ATRC offices. The disscution was about the role of civil society in laying the ground work for a multiethnic Kosovo. Mr. Lajcak shared his country's experience focusing on Slovakian NGOs and their partner role with the government.
Director for Political Affairs in the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia stressed the important role civil society can play in strengthening the dialogue and setting the pace for reconciliation and establishment of a multiethnic Kosovo.

How Municipalities Work:
Lessons from the Region Seminar February 6, 2003
ATRC organized a one-day seminar on in cooperation with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and with the help of EWMI/KNAP Chief Party. The seminar identified and prioritized issues pertaining to good governance at the municipal level. At the conclusion of the seminar, participants were invited to apply for a grant from FDI/KNAP. International IDEA also financially supported the FDI funded projects, including analyzing, developing, and advocating for good governance at the municipal level. More than 50 representatives of local NGOs, international NGOs and agencies, and local government representatives attended and presented at the seminar.

Increasing Accountability
Lessons from the UK April 2, 2003
At the Gjakova NGO Resource Center, Lesley Abdela, a KNAP trainer of trainers from Eyecatcher Associates / Shevolution, presented models for anti-secrecy/anti-corruption bodies that could be used in Kosovo to increase accountability and transparency among the provisional institutions of self-governance (PISG) and UNMIK.

Health Policy Analysis Legislative Briefing May 8, 2003
Fatime Arënliu Qosaj spoke about her KNAP-funded health-policy-analysis project. The progress report given by Mrs. Qosaj stimulated an interesting debate on Kosovo’s health sector.

Tax Evasion Public Discussion May 22, 2003
Bedri Peci, an expert on tax issues, gave a presentation on the grave situation concerning tax evasion and tax policy in Kosovo. Mr. Peci quoted a finding by the Viennese Institute for International Economic Comparisons that 50 percent of fuel (petrol and diesel) in Kosovo is smuggled. This sparked a series of counter-statements by Customs Officials in the media. This debate occurred as The Forum, a local NGO, was conducting a project on the Customs Authority in Kosovo, making it possible for The Forum’s 200 observers to look closer into the issue. The hot debate on taxes was covered by RTK and was aired on all news programs. [pulled box, with photo if you have one that fits]

The Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure
Code Legislative Briefing
June 24, 2003
Agnieszka Klonowiecka-Milart, an UNMIK International Judge at the Prishtina Circle Court and Ismet Salihu, a member of the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code drafting group presented the two codes at the legislative briefing. The discussion facilitated dialogue between UNMIK Pillar 1 and municipal and regional Judges and Lawyers Chamber representatives.

European Convention on Human Rights July 18, 2003
Alan Simmons, from the Criminal Defense Resource Centre (CDRC) introduced the European Convention on Human Rights to participants from local NGOs. Officials from Pillar I – Department of Justice attended the event.

Health Policy Analysis Report August 26, 2003
Fatime Arënliu Qosaj presented findings from her KNAP-funded health-policy-analysis project to representatives from the Health Ministry, Parliament and Health Institutions. The report given by Mrs. Qosaj stimulated a debate on the situation of Health in Kosovo.

Privatization Process in Kosovo September 12, 2003
ATRC organized this discussion in cooperation with Kosovo Trust Agency, Kosovo Trade Union Association (BSPK) and Riinvest. Teki Shehu, a legal advisor for KTA and Arten Bajrushi, Public Relations Officer for KTA, presented on the privatization process. The KTA representatives discussed issues such as the privatization process’ latest developments, challenges toward achieving the desirable goals, and plans for upcoming months/years. A representative from BSPK, Ali Dragusha, questioned how the privatization process benefits factory workers. Mr. Dragusha and Muhamet Sadiku, the moderator from Riinvest, gave perspectives that differed from KTA’s.

Taking a Case to the European Human Rights Court
September 26, 2003
ATRC organized this discussion in cooperation with Criminal Defense Resource Center (CDRC) and the Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF). Alan Simmons from CDRC and Gazmend Nushi from CDHRF detailed how a person, group or political party can bring a case to the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. As a lawyer, Mr. Nushi illustrated the exact procedures for making a claim; he described a case CDHRF submitted to the Court, representing a Kosovar family against KFOR.

Code of Conduct October 16, 2003
Amy Horton from the International Center for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL) and Gjyljeta Mushkolaj from the Kosovar Institute for NGO Rights (IKDO) led a workshop held at ATRC on the necessary steps for and potential benefits of writing a code of conduct. Representatives from the Kosova NGO Advocacy Network (AvoKo) attended the discussion.

Press Conference for Release of FDI 2001-2002 Annual Report October 22, 2003
ATRC and FDI organized a press conference where FDI presented their 2001-2002 Annual Report. USAID Mission Director Dale Pfeiffer and KNAP Chief of Party Fron Nazi spoke at the event. The event was covered by the three national television stations RTK, KTV and RTV21 as well as by two main daily newspapers: Epoka e Re and Koha Ditore.

KODI Publication Promotion November 18, 2003
In November the Kosovar Research and Documentation Institute (KODI), a Prishtina-based think-tank, presented their policy analysis report entitled Kosovar Assembly: For the People or for the Party at an ATRC public discussion. The study and report, funded by KNAP/FDI, analyzed how a policy/law is drafted and implemented and the key governing institutions and players involved in the drafting process. More than 50 participants comprised of journalists, academics, NGO representatives and local and international governing authorities attended the discussion.

Public Participation Regulation at the Local Level
December 2, 2003
ATRC and the Kosovar Institute for NGO Rights (IKDO) organized a public discussion to discuss the process by which the recent regulation on public participation in the municipal decision-making process was drafted and to exchange their successes and challenges in drafting the regulation. Gjyljeta Mushkolaj, the director of IKDO who facilitated work on the project in all municipalities, moderated the discussion.

Human Rights and Gender December 12, 2003
To address the vibrant discussions revolving around the Kosovo delegation’s decision to walk out of talks when they were given a translator with a head covering, ATRC organized a public discussion that aimed to discuss the social and political issues surrounding the event. Delina Fico, Country Coordinator for STAR Network of World Learning, opened the discussion. She stressed that it was more than a human rights issue—it also involved political and religious issues, making the situation quite complex.

Lessons Learned: Slovakia December 17, 2003
ATRC and FDI organized a public discussion on NGO and KNAP grantee experiences during their study visit to Slovakia where NGOs visited Slovakian NGOs dealing with human rights, community work, and the environment. The NGOs presented the lessons they learned from their visit. Based on these “Lessons Learned”, they gave recommendations for future Kosovar NGO projects.

MEET THE DONORS PROGRAM
In an effort to address Kosovar NGO demands for a program that provides information on how to apply for grants, ATRC has designed the “Meet the Donors” program, set to begin in January 2004. Through “Meet the Donors,” ATRC will showcase a different donor each month by inviting donors with programs in Kosovo and the region to present on the substance of their projects, their grant guidelines, and pointers for applying. Through this program, ATRC seeks to improve the communication between NGOs and donors. “Meet the Donors” addresses the demonstrated need among NGOs for grant-writing and strategic planning skills. The program aims to introduce NGOs to potential donors in the region, provide NGOs with information about donor grant-giving guidelines, and build NGO capacity to write grants in order to better assure their future sustainability.