By Anne Li Verheijen
Hello, dear readers! Our journey, which was meant to lead us into the heart of Mitrovica, was thwarted by a resurgence of simmering tensions. Like an uninvited guest, conflict has invaded the city's soul, rendering our physical arrival perilous. Yet the spirit of inquiry remains indomitable, and in these modern times, digital solutions such as Zoom step in as our shield and chariot.
We started the day (of Monday 20 June) off with a zoom call with the NEW SOCIAL INITIATIVE (NSI), is a civil society organization working in the Republic of Kosova but also cooperating with the key stakeholders in the Western Balkan region, to ultimately impact inclusiveness, trust-building, democratization processes, and good governance in the Republic of Kosova.
This was follwed by Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), a local non- governmental organization (NGO) operating in the field of peace and community building in the wider region of Mitrovica, northern municipalities of the Republic of Kosova.
Last, The International Business School Mitrovica (IBSM) opened its virtual doors for us, an educational institution that prides itself on its international community. As the discussion unfurled, the narrative felt almost rehearsed. An orchestra of words celebrating the school's diverse programs, internships, and exchange opportunities rang in our ears, echoing the promise of global inclusion.
"Diversity" and "bringing together ethnic groups from all over the world" were phrases painted with broad strokes across the digital canvas. Yet, despite the vivid palette, the intricacy of the local ethnic mosaic — the Serbs, Albanians, Romas, and other Kosovan minority groups — seemed conspicuously omitted from the school's masterpiece.
I ventured a question into this gaping void, "Are there any activities the university arranges to foster cohesion among Kosovo's different ethnic groups, with the aim of contributing to peacebuilding?" The silence that followed was deafening.
The response, when it finally came, was non-committal. It seemed the university, while encouraging diversity, remained reticent to take a hands-on approach to cultivating unity among the diverse ethnicities within its own walls. The obligation of unity was relegated to the students themselves.
Living in proximity is not the same as living in unity. Interactions between ethnic groups should not be an exception but the rule. While some students did vouch for friendships across ethnic divides, these were but pockets of harmony amidst a general reluctance to engage.
Following our third virtual engagement, we sought solace in the comforting embrace of Shpija e Vjetër, a quaint restaurant tucked away in an old house. Its warmth seeped into our souls as we were surrounded by a symphony of plants, twinkle lights, and wood. The Dutch have a word for it, "gezellige plek" — a place where the heart feels at home.
Furthermore, some of us, still hungry for cultural insights, attended the Roma film festival. We could not go to Mitrovica, but through these visual narratives, Mitrovica came to us. It was a poignant reminder that while barriers can hinder movement, they can't stifle the human spirit, nor the power of storytelling.
This Zoom day, albeit not what we planned, served to underscore the criticality of our mission. To engage, to listen, to learn, and to seek a deeper understanding of a world fraught with invisible lines of division. Today, we sought to hear the voices from the North, and though they came through digital windows, their resonance was no less real. Today was a reminder that we still have a long way to go, but every dialogue is a step towards unity. And that's a journey worth taking.
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