And Peace Lab 2019 is a go! The first week the students learned about Balkan history, then Monday was a holiday and Tuesday they took the exam, and last Wednesday we all flew to Prishtina. Projects they're working on this year vary from investigating the national anthem that officially has no words, to creating a soundscape of audio impressions, to interviewing people from all sides of the conflict about their layered identities, to collecting people's dreams about a Kosovo future.
We're off to the heart of Europe, where people are not allowed to travel because of visa liberalization issues. The posturing of Serbia and Kosovo's governments has meant a 100% tax is now imposed on any goods entering Kosovo from Serbia, and where Serbian troops have been re-stationed along the Kosovo border. As the students keep saying--so interesting!
I'm looking forward to seeing our dear friends on both sides of the conflict, peacebuilders who show the courage in everyday ways to cross the bridge. But the best part is watching our students let go of what they know, and what they think they know and what they think they should know, and grab onto new knowledge in the field of peace and conflict studies.
Please sign up to follow our blog (top of the page on the right) as we keep you updated. This is my sixth year visiting Kosovo, and every year is so different. Such a privilege to be with these great people again. Join us as the adventure begins!
No comments:
Post a Comment