14 Sep 2018

United Nations Kosovo Trust-building Forum (Ljubljana May 6-8, 2018); Final Report

The United Nations gathered from 6 to 8 May in Ljubljana more than 120 participants representing a broad cross-section of Kosovo society, including civil society, media, youth leaders and municipal leadership from both majority and non-majority communities, to exchange perspectives on building trust for a more peaceful and inclusive society.

The United Nations Kosovo Trust-Building Forum was co-chaired by Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Zahir Tanin and Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita.

It was the result of months of preparatory work, including through regular visits to local municipalities and communities and a series of focus group discussions with experts and practitioners on topics of importance to the people of Kosovo. The event was supported by UNMIK and United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes (UNKT), with the participation of other international partner organizations such as the European Union, European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), and the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo.

Through plenary and breakout sessions, and presentations from resource people with valuable experiences in other parts of the world, the Forum focused on producing lasting positive effects for all communities in Kosovo around issues of common concern.

Participants shared their experiences in working hand-in-hand to resolving issues of common concern; developing practical and workable solutions to issues affecting their lives; and nurturing deep connections with their neighbours and constituencies.

The Forum identified practical ways of ensuring constructive engagement towards the greater good, and ways of supporting local and grassroots-level processes that can complement higher-level political discussions.

Among the major outcomes of the Forum was the adoption by consensus of a series of recommendations in the areas of (I) Good governance and access to services, (II) Access to justice, (III) Inter-religious trust-building, (IV) Economic empowerment and the environment, (V) Media and communications and, (VI) Education.

You can download the full report of the forum, including the recommendations by the six focus groups here: