By Neve Clements
Before starting this course, I knew very little about Kosovo. Honestly, I had barely considered the region or its conflict. Somewhere deep down, I held an unconscious bias—the idea that because it was a European country with white populations, the crisis couldn’t be as urgent or violent as those in places like Africa or the Middle East, which I’d long felt drawn to. That belief wasn’t just naive; it was limiting.
Over the past month, engaging in this Peace Lab course has shifted everything for me. Even though I’ve never physically been to Kosovo, I’ve felt deeply connected to the stories we’ve heard. The dialogues, testimonies and honest conversations made me reflect on the emotional layers of conflict, and how easily injustice can be normalised when it's hidden behind borders or shaped by global indifference.
When we spoke online with local organisations and leaders, especially during our discussion with Prime Minister Kurti, I was struck by the level of disconnect between political narratives and lived realities. When he stated, “There is no ethnic inequality in Kosovo,” it left me stunned. It reminded me that denial, even at the highest levels, is one of the most dangerous obstacles to peace.
This experience has shown me that peacebuilding isn’t always about grand interventions. It’s about listening. It’s about recognising pain, acknowledging injustice, and holding space for complex truths. Whether between individuals or nations, lasting peace depends on communication, dialogue, understanding and accountability.
What I’ve learned this month has equipped me with the tools to approach peacebuilding on both small and large scales. I’ve realised that I want to work with communities not just to study them, but to stand alongside them. I feel a real sense of responsibility now, not just toward Kosovo, but to all places that are quietly surviving conflict outside the global spotlight.
I may not have stood on the bridge in Mitrovica, but I’ve learned what it means to build one.
No comments:
Post a Comment