Fellows started at the Professional Development Sites in Washington, DC

Fellows started at the Professional Development Sites. Fellows will be conducting their research at these institutions:

AFËRDITA RUSHITI

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems

CNN Washington Bureau

ANAMARI REPIĆ

Voice of America

Bloomberg

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

ARJETA EMRA

The Public Diplomacy Council

Meridian International Center

American University – School of International Studies

BRIKENDA REXHEPI

Freedom House

ILIRIANA KAÇANIKU

Open Society Institute –Washington, D.C.

JETMIRA BËRDYNAJ

Patton Boggs, LLC

U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Consular Affairs

MERITA MALIQI

George Mason University-Fairfax Campus

SHQIPE HAJREDINI

The Office of Congressman Eliot Engel

Washington, DC City Hall

TEUTA HYSENI

The Institute of World Politics

ULPIANA LAMA

Center for Transatlantic Relations

VJOSA BERISHA

InterMedia

East West Communications

Hope Fellows presenting at The United States Institute of Peace

Democracy and the Challenge of Change: What’s Ahead for the New Government of Kosovo?

Kosovo’s snap elections in December 2010 resulted in a process of coalition formation fraught with controversy but which ultimately produced two historic watersheds: the inclusion of the Kosovo Serb Independent Liberal Party in the governing coalition and the election of a woman as president. Fundamental issues remain on the agenda, however.

Three women leaders from Kosovo visiting the U.S. on a USAID-funded Hope Fellowship representing government, civil society, and academia, will address these issues:

• Can any tangible results be expected from EU-sponsored talks with Serbia?
• How has the inclusion of a Kosovo Serb party in the coalition government affected the relationship with Belgrade?
• What impact will accusations linking members of the Thaci administration with organized crime have on the durability of his coalition government and on Kosovo’s quest for recognition and integration into international financial and political organizations?
• Is EULEX providing effective support to Kosovo’s transition to sustainable peace and prosperity?
• How does Kosovo’s record with empowerment of women compare with other societies emerging from conflict and what lessons can be learned from the Kosovo experience?

Speakers

Ulpiana Lama
Professor
Pjeter Budi University

Arjeta Emra
Director
British Council Kosovo

Jetmira Berdynaj
Director of the Department for Consular Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Michael Dziedzic, Moderator
Senior Program Officer
Center for Conflict Management, USIP

Hope Fellows successfully completed the in-country activities

Diplomacy and Democracy Hope Fellows successfully completed the in-country activities and will be departing Kosovo to Washington, DC, soon. Thank you and we wish you a successful and empowering professional and personal journey.

Hope Fellows met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Enver Hoxhaj.

On Tuesday April 5^t, 2011, Hope Fellows met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Enver Hoxhaj.