IOM supports languages learning in Kosovo
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) this week organized a conference on the initiative for the institutionalization of the learning of official languages in Kosovo*.
The conference rallied both local and international high representatives and stakeholders to discuss curricular and extracurricular learning of official languages, as well as certification of language knowledge.
Equal access to services and information is of crucial importance for community stabilization and social inclusion. The language barrier prevents returnees and minority communities to actively participate into social, economic, cultural, and political life. As learning of official languages in schools has been interrupted since 1989, The Balkanistics programme will again enable learning of official languages in Kosovo (Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Montenegrin) for all communities and help them to interact and cooperate.
An international support group (British Embassy, IOM and OSCE) has been working intensively with relevant institutions (University of Pristina, Faculty of Philology, Ministry of Education, the Office of Language Commissioner and Accreditation Agency) on supporting the faculty in preparing the documentation for the reaccreditation of the programme and the regulations for the Language Centre.
“This project will contribute towards a more inclusive society for all communities in Kosovo by promoting their language rights, fostering cooperation and developing joint initiatives,” noted Anna Rostocka, Chief of IOM Mission, in her opening remarks.
Acknowledging the work put forth in achieving progress in this field of crucial importance for society, Ms Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education & Science, said that both, herself and the ministry she leads, will be committed to providing equal opportunities for all young people in all institutions.
Dean Lindita Rugova, one of key movers of the project, recalled the challenges and success: “In 2019 I had to explain to stakeholders what the Balkanistic programme was, what a long process we had in advance to prepare for the documentation for this programme and now I can just confirm Balkanistics programme is in the process of accreditation and that the decision for the establishment of the Language Centre was approved by the University of Pristina.”
“There are many obvious reasons why the Language Center and Balkanology programme should be established and supported by all relevant institutions”, said British Ambassador, Mr. Nicholas Abbott, “but I am only going to name two. Firstly, the Law on languages states that official documents must be translated into both official languages. Secondly and equally importantly is communication between people, communities, and neighbours,”
For more information, please contact Safete Graicevci at OLC, email: Safete.Graicevci@rks-gov.net, Dorina Decani at FP, email: dorinadecani@gmail.com or Igor Rašić at IOM Pristina, email: irasic@iom.int.
City of Dispatch: Pristina