UNMIK/PR/1648 - Countdown #13
PRISTINA - Dozens of outreach activities like Town Hall meetings, cluster and youth meetings, public gatherings and round table discussions have been organized and facilitated by the UNMIK Multi-Ethnicity and Outreach Unit as part of the Office of the Strategy Coordinator (STRATCO) in its efforts to help Kosovo society attain a better life in line with European and international standards. Among other things, this includes bringing to the forefront the role the majority population plays in integrating minorities, emphasizing values of the rule of law, good governance and so on.
“By coordinating the efforts to promote Standards implementation and in the outreach process for minorities, UNMIK has analysed, evaluated and offered guidance on ways to ensure that Kosovo becomes a vibrant multiethnic society,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Joachim Rücker.
UNMIK has since 2004 monitored and reported on Standards implementation in each of the 30 Municipalities. By facilitating meetings at the grassroots level between the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG), SRSG, Municipal Assembly members, local leaders, NGO’s, representatives from Youth and Women’s organisations, OSCE and KFOR, UNMIK has reached out to different minorities and made it possible for people to discuss issues like integration, education, decentralisation, security, freedom of movement, returns and minority rights.
UNMIK has over the years monitored and promoted the eight Standards for Kosovo covering functioning democratic institutions, rule of law, freedom of movement, sustainable returns, economy, property rights, interethnic dialogue and the Kosovo Protection Corps.
Since December 2006 UNMIK has facilitated outreach meetings in Gllogoc/Gllogovac, Novobërdë/Novo Brdo, Kline/a, Gjilan/Gnjilane and Viti/Vitina Municipalities. These meetings, initiated and organized by the Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the President and by respective municipal leadership, aim to explain issues related to decentralization and other aspects of the status proposal of Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. SRSG Joachim Rücker has participated in this initiative alongside the President of Kosovo, the Prime Minister, COMKFOR, leaders of political opposition, and other key figures.
