Kosovo
  • Hoban Kosovo Trip 2014
  • About
  • Student Reflections
  • Cast of Characters
  • Video of Trip

This calls to mind Donny’s point about the tribunal which is being voted on today. Though it would ideally enforce the law in Kosovo, it would only continue the lack of implementation and strength in Kosovo’s government. Rather than continuing to rely on outside forces to maintain stability, Kosovo needs to stand up for itself and reinforce its independence, not just to Europe but to its own people. The government must establish authority and legitimacy to a people who lack faith and trust in their government.
--Susan Stalter on meeting Donny of
the Kosovo Institute for Peace

Patrick does teach English. I found it fascinating that he does teach both Serbian and Albanian students. While it makes sense, I still found it a bit disturbing that Serbians are still a little bit outside the classroom. It seems only Albanians are in the spotlight. --Ellen Stair on meeting Hoban alum and English teacher Patrick Dunlap

The Roma represent so many of the flaws this new nation faces. Low employment and little opportunity forces the people of Mitrovica to rely on international and governmental assistance. Not only does this create a Haiti-kind-of-dependence, but it also causes a network of connections where Roma students go to a Serbian Kosovo school to get social assistance, walking a long , dangerous path for the meager benefits, while receiving Kosovo government help and UN-Mercy Corps programs.
--Tess Davey on the difficult life of being a Roma in Mitrovica

Venturing to Gracanica has openned us up to an entirely new perspective of the current and future condition in Kosovo. The Serbian prescence in Kosovo is one that is a source of constant tension, but it is also a vital element in Kosovo’s identity. The fact remains that in the 15 years following the war in 1999, little re-integration and desegregation has occurred to improve the relations between the Serbians and Albanians in Kosovo. The predicament stands that Albanians view Kosovo as its own independent state, and Serbians view Kosovo as part of Serbia. Both communities have sought retribution for the chaos they experienced during the war. Serbian and Albanians alike were expelled from their homes, stripped of their peace, and forced to experience the chaos of war. They, however, do not choose to dwell on their common struggles, rather many still hope to extract their revenge on who they believe is the guilty party.
--Christina Gorey after meeting with Nenad of the Center for Peace and Tolerance in Gracanica

Children are being influenced by adults to not resolve peace. Older generations can communicate with each other because they know each others languages
. Children cannot communicate.
--Maddie Rotunda on the segregated schools in Kosovo after meeting with UN officials
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