The International Institute for Peace, in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung & the Karl-Renner-Institut, cordially invite you to the public panel on the topic:
Kosovo: A Ray of Hope for Democracy in South-Eastern Europe?
Date: Monday, 22 November 2021
Time: 6:00 PM (CET)
Venue: Karl-Renner-Institut (Karl-Popper-Straße 8, 1100 Wien) AND online
Welcome:
MARIA MALTSCHNIG, Director of the Karl-Renner-Institut
RENE SCHLEE, Resident representative of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Prishtina
Speaker:
ALBIN KURTI, Prime Minister of Kosovo, Lëvizja Vetëvendosje
Moderation:
MARIA MALTSCHNIG, Director of the Karl-Renner-Institut
Content:
Democracy is under pressure in many countries in South-Eastern Europe, but also elsewhere. In contrast, Kosovo experienced a real change of power in spring 2021 and has since been developing in the other direction. The new government under the leadership of Albin Kurti wants to fight corruption and nepotism and to free the country from the state capture by the old elites. It is committed to freedom of opinion and the media and to a vibrant civil society. What does this look like in practice? Can Kosovo escape the anti-democratic trend in Europe?
The challenges for the Kosovar democracy are manifold: The citizens of the country expect a rapid improvement of the social and economic conditions. Another test case is how to deal with the Serbian minority and the difficult dialogue with Serbia, which is under massive strain but whose success is a prerequisite for the country's EU integration.
In conversation with Albin Kurti, we want to discuss the major challenges for Kosovo, democracy in South-Eastern Europe and beyond. How can democracies strengthen each other? What support does Kosovo need from the EU and especially Austria?
Covid-19 protection measures:
Registration for the event is absolutely necessary. The number of seats is limited.
The 2G+ rule applies (recovered or vaccinated)
The discussion will be held in English.
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