President Osmani's address at the Conference on the “Gender and Power Relations” Research Report
Dear Mrs. Hoxha, Distinguished participants from Kosovo and other countries of the world, Welcome to all of you who are not from Kosovo! I would first like to congratulate the Femart festival team for their work and commitment to turning this festival into an event of pride within the calendar of cultural events in our Kosovo. Above all, I thank you that through art you have chosen to convey important messages to our society and that through this effort you have at the center of attention exactly the empowerment of women and girls. It is an honour for me and for my entire Office to support you on this journey and I am sure that our cooperation will intensify more and more each day. Today, on the occasion of the publication of the report “Gender and power relations”, which we analysed together with my staff, I want to tell you that in the fight against inequality, against the language of violence, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape, prejudices and injustices as a result of an imbalance in terms of power, you will always have us by your side. Just as important was Tarana Burke's decision in 2006 via the hashtag MeToo to speak publicly about her sexual harassment, marking the beginning of a revolution in society's coping with this bitter phenomenon. It is important to meet in formats such as this one today to talk about similar cases and situations in each sector – and today, with a particular focus on the field of art. Unfortunately, the abuse of power manifests itself in various shapes and forms. Sexual harassment and sexual abuse are among the frequent manifestations of power imbalance. Although the victim of such situations can be any woman, it is the poor conditions, job insecurity, financial instability, which affect the increase of exposure and increase the level of vulnerability to such situations. This has been accurately evidenced in the findings of the report that will be presented shortly. This should therefore serve as an additional reason for us to understand that the empowerment of women and girls is not only the right thing to do in a society, but is also a prerequisite for maintaining dignity, increasing security, and creating opportunities and spaces necessary for the adequate practice of various professions. Therefore, we need clear and precise discourse, we need to have clear definitions that serve as a starting point for our work and our commitment to change, and we need to not hesitate to speak openly about the things that concern us and just as much we need to use every available space and forum to talk to each other and with each other and to understand how we can help each other and lighten the burden for every woman as well as for every girl and woman in art, but also in any other profession. Although I am a fan of art, I have chosen to dedicate my professional life to political engagement. As I believe you have had the opportunity to hear on numerous occasions, politics is one of the most difficult sectors for the professional survival of a girl or a woman. Politics which takes place in a dominant patriarchal environment is ruthless towards women. Strikes and attacks are daily, they are systematic, and they are diverse. Both the language of violence and the phenomenon of sexual harassment, as well as dealing with situations that derive from the imbalance of power, are almost a daily occurrence for many girls and many women in this position. This as painful as it is, is also a daily opportunity for work and reflection. For this reason, I always gladly accept to be part of such events as Femart, because I am clear that we need so much to learn from each other, to understand the challenges of our daily confrontations, to identify the source of such situations because only in this way, we manage to define the problem, to define the protocols of action in order to manage to strengthen the voices in the face of injustices, inequalities and lack of opportunities for women and girls. But such discussions and initiatives as the MeToo movement are particularly important because they make us realize that no one is alone in dealing with them. These discussions and initiatives are so important that, in addition to understanding that there are others who experience the same pain and injustice, it helps ease the burden that burns and burns in moments when you think you are alone. It has always been difficult for us to speak openly about dealing with situations of sexual harassment, abuse, the language of violence and humiliation because there has always been a fear of prejudice. Instead of feeling guilty about abusing or abusing the perpetrators, the victims actually felt guilty. This reality has many instances that continue. This is a reality that must change in every country and in every case, without exception. This is the reality that dominates the world. So it has to be fought everywhere, in every corner of the world. So, this is a reality that we must challenge and fight together. As noted in the report, just as important as these initiatives and awareness campaigns are, so important is the collaboration with people in power within organizations or institutions. Because, in addition to the bottom-up approach, we ultimately need structural, substantive, and sustainable change, so if others do not have the opportunity to be part of the discussion and policy-making cycle, even in the theatre. , in an ensemble, in cultural associations or in some other place, commit to creating this space only for yourself. But having space just enough to express yourself is not enough – it takes constant courage, constant insistence, work systematic perseverance. Such discussions, reports and roundtables will continue as long as we do not work collectively towards meeting the goal of
President Osmani's address at the Regional Conference “Regional Cooperation and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans”
Honourable Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo and from the countries of the region, it is a pleasure to be together with you today, Distinguished field experts, analysts, representatives of the business community, Dear participants, I would like to start by welcoming the guests and invitees from the region and by thanking PIPS for the active and continuous engagement towards the promotion of genuine dialogue as well as towards professional research in order to advance the green agenda in our region, especially here in the Republic of Kosovo. This year stands out for many things, but I want to assure you that in the Republic of Kosovo, it stands out for a very positive wave of domination of the discourse about the green agenda in the public debate. Our involvement in politics extends over a long time as you know, and it has never happened before that we have so many activities and so much discussion about the energy sector as much as we have had so far this year. Realistically, such a situation makes us very happy, as we have finally come to understand that more people need to talk about the energy sector than just experts in the field and engineers. It is not enough to discuss the energy sector only once a year or only in emergency situations. Undoubtedly, expertise as well as engineers are primarily responsible for designing the right policies or proposing them, but energy is more than just a sector – the energy sector is the backbone of our economic development. Therefore, energy can by no means be an isolated topic. We need open dialogue, inter-parliamentary cooperation as well as continuous regional cooperation. I consider that the discussion on Regional Cooperation and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is extremely useful and is happening at a crucial moment in the face of the extremely challenging dynamics that we are seeing in Europe as well as globally. The energy crisis and its consequences continue to weigh on energy systems in the region and throughout our continent. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine has raised concerns and put our entire continent in an extremely critical situation in terms of ensuring energy security. And in such a situation we are seeing how the countries of the European Union are being challenged towards the commitment to meet the objectives for decarbonisation of the energy sector as well as the meaningful implementation of the Green Agenda. This is the most permanent danger of this time. Forced to find short-term solutions, we face situations where we may jeopardize long-term goals, which are well defined in the Paris Agreement and then embraced by our region at the Sofia Summit. Despite clear messages of commitment to change policy-making as a result of the pandemic, global energy sector-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 6% in 2021. 36.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere in the year we have left behind and this marks the highest level of emissions in the entire history of mankind. According to the International Energy Agency, the reasons for this stem from the fact that the world economy recovered strongly after the Covid-19 crisis and world economies relied heavily on coal to power precisely this growth. It seems that the situation in 2022 will not be much more different from the one I already presented. Last night I was reading how in the face of the challenge of the need to guarantee a regular power supply, Germany is being forced to consider reactivating coal-fired power plants to cope with the shifting away from the Russian gas. Faced with such news, the question naturally arises from some about why we should do and act differently, here in Kosovo? As difficult as it may seem at the moment, the reasons for the green transition are innumerable: – First, the green transition means less pollution, i.e. better health of our citizens – Second, the green transition means the creation of new jobs – new sustainable and green jobs – Three, the green transition means vision to keep pace with the times – Fourth, the green transition means more development and more innovation – Fifth, the green transition means more cooperation between governments, parliaments, businesses, academics and all our people – Also, the green transition means a step closer to the European Union There are many, many other reasons, but, the Green Agenda, in general, should be our solution today and always. This is the wisest action in economic terms, in geostrategic terms, but above all, in terms of the well-being of our citizens, their health and the advancement of overall well-being. The Green Agenda can no longer be seen solely as a sustainable development concept. In fact, the green agenda has become the backbone of the whole concept of economic development within the European Union. This is best evidenced by the European Green Agreement which was then transferred to the countries of the Western Balkans through the Sofia Declaration and the commitments made by all 6 countries of our region. Focused on five pillars of action, respectively on decarbonisation, circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable food systems and rural areas as well as the protection of biodiversity, the Green Agenda aims to become the engine of accelerating economic development precisely by promoting innovative and transformational policies focused on advancing connectivity and regional cooperation. Moreover, all these commitments are accompanied and supported through the Economic and Investment Plan which consists of 9 billion euros in grants and 20 billion euros in guarantees, providing the financial source for turning words into deeds. Dear participants, We live in realities very different today than those of 5 years ago. While it may seem that the challenges are far greater and perhaps more difficult to meet, we must realize that laboratories, research centers, and universities around the world are working with unimaginable
President Osmani's address at the Conference on the “Gender and Power Relations” Research Report
Dear Mrs. Hoxha, Distinguished participants from Kosovo and other countries of the world, Welcome to all of you who are not from Kosovo! I would first like to congratulate the Femart festival team for their work and commitment to turning this festival into an event of pride within the calendar of cultural events in our Kosovo. Above all, I thank you that through art you have chosen to convey important messages to our society and that through this effort you have at the center of attention exactly the empowerment of women and girls. It is an honour for me and for my entire Office to support you on this journey and I am sure that our cooperation will intensify more and more each day. Today, on the occasion of the publication of the report “Gender and power relations”, which we analysed together with my staff, I want to tell you that in the fight against inequality, against the language of violence, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape, prejudices and injustices as a result of an imbalance in terms of power, you will always have us by your side. Just as important was Tarana Burke's decision in 2006 via the hashtag MeToo to speak publicly about her sexual harassment, marking the beginning of a revolution in society's coping with this bitter phenomenon. It is important to meet in formats such as this one today to talk about similar cases and situations in each sector – and today, with a particular focus on the field of art. Unfortunately, the abuse of power manifests itself in various shapes and forms. Sexual harassment and sexual abuse are among the frequent manifestations of power imbalance. Although the victim of such situations can be any woman, it is the poor conditions, job insecurity, financial instability, which affect the increase of exposure and increase the level of vulnerability to such situations. This has been accurately evidenced in the findings of the report that will be presented shortly. This should therefore serve as an additional reason for us to understand that the empowerment of women and girls is not only the right thing to do in a society, but is also a prerequisite for maintaining dignity, increasing security, and creating opportunities and spaces necessary for the adequate practice of various professions. Therefore, we need clear and precise discourse, we need to have clear definitions that serve as a starting point for our work and our commitment to change, and we need to not hesitate to speak openly about the things that concern us and just as much we need to use every available space and forum to talk to each other and with each other and to understand how we can help each other and lighten the burden for every woman as well as for every girl and woman in art, but also in any other profession. Although I am a fan of art, I have chosen to dedicate my professional life to political engagement. As I believe you have had the opportunity to hear on numerous occasions, politics is one of the most difficult sectors for the professional survival of a girl or a woman. Politics which takes place in a dominant patriarchal environment is ruthless towards women. Strikes and attacks are daily, they are systematic, and they are diverse. Both the language of violence and the phenomenon of sexual harassment, as well as dealing with situations that derive from the imbalance of power, are almost a daily occurrence for many girls and many women in this position. This as painful as it is, is also a daily opportunity for work and reflection. For this reason, I always gladly accept to be part of such events as Femart, because I am clear that we need so much to learn from each other, to understand the challenges of our daily confrontations, to identify the source of such situations because only in this way, we manage to define the problem, to define the protocols of action in order to manage to strengthen the voices in the face of injustices, inequalities and lack of opportunities for women and girls. But such discussions and initiatives as the MeToo movement are particularly important because they make us realize that no one is alone in dealing with them. These discussions and initiatives are so important that, in addition to understanding that there are others who experience the same pain and injustice, it helps ease the burden that burns and burns in moments when you think you are alone. It has always been difficult for us to speak openly about dealing with situations of sexual harassment, abuse, the language of violence and humiliation because there has always been a fear of prejudice. Instead of feeling guilty about abusing or abusing the perpetrators, the victims actually felt guilty. This reality has many instances that continue. This is a reality that must change in every country and in every case, without exception. This is the reality that dominates the world. So it has to be fought everywhere, in every corner of the world. So, this is a reality that we must challenge and fight together. As noted in the report, just as important as these initiatives and awareness campaigns are, so important is the collaboration with people in power within organizations or institutions. Because, in addition to the bottom-up approach, we ultimately need structural, substantive, and sustainable change, so if others do not have the opportunity to be part of the discussion and policy-making cycle, even in the theatre. , in an ensemble, in cultural associations or in some other place, commit to creating this space only for yourself. But having space just enough to express yourself is not enough – it takes constant courage, constant insistence, work systematic perseverance. Such discussions, reports and roundtables will continue as long as we do not work collectively towards meeting the goal of
President Osmani's address at the Regional Conference “Regional Cooperation and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans”
Honourable Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo and from the countries of the region, it is a pleasure to be together with you today, Distinguished field experts, analysts, representatives of the business community, Dear participants, I would like to start by welcoming the guests and invitees from the region and by thanking PIPS for the active and continuous engagement towards the promotion of genuine dialogue as well as towards professional research in order to advance the green agenda in our region, especially here in the Republic of Kosovo. This year stands out for many things, but I want to assure you that in the Republic of Kosovo, it stands out for a very positive wave of domination of the discourse about the green agenda in the public debate. Our involvement in politics extends over a long time as you know, and it has never happened before that we have so many activities and so much discussion about the energy sector as much as we have had so far this year. Realistically, such a situation makes us very happy, as we have finally come to understand that more people need to talk about the energy sector than just experts in the field and engineers. It is not enough to discuss the energy sector only once a year or only in emergency situations. Undoubtedly, expertise as well as engineers are primarily responsible for designing the right policies or proposing them, but energy is more than just a sector – the energy sector is the backbone of our economic development. Therefore, energy can by no means be an isolated topic. We need open dialogue, inter-parliamentary cooperation as well as continuous regional cooperation. I consider that the discussion on Regional Cooperation and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is extremely useful and is happening at a crucial moment in the face of the extremely challenging dynamics that we are seeing in Europe as well as globally. The energy crisis and its consequences continue to weigh on energy systems in the region and throughout our continent. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine has raised concerns and put our entire continent in an extremely critical situation in terms of ensuring energy security. And in such a situation we are seeing how the countries of the European Union are being challenged towards the commitment to meet the objectives for decarbonisation of the energy sector as well as the meaningful implementation of the Green Agenda. This is the most permanent danger of this time. Forced to find short-term solutions, we face situations where we may jeopardize long-term goals, which are well defined in the Paris Agreement and then embraced by our region at the Sofia Summit. Despite clear messages of commitment to change policy-making as a result of the pandemic, global energy sector-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 6% in 2021. 36.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere in the year we have left behind and this marks the highest level of emissions in the entire history of mankind. According to the International Energy Agency, the reasons for this stem from the fact that the world economy recovered strongly after the Covid-19 crisis and world economies relied heavily on coal to power precisely this growth. It seems that the situation in 2022 will not be much more different from the one I already presented. Last night I was reading how in the face of the challenge of the need to guarantee a regular power supply, Germany is being forced to consider reactivating coal-fired power plants to cope with the shifting away from the Russian gas. Faced with such news, the question naturally arises from some about why we should do and act differently, here in Kosovo? As difficult as it may seem at the moment, the reasons for the green transition are innumerable: – First, the green transition means less pollution, i.e. better health of our citizens – Second, the green transition means the creation of new jobs – new sustainable and green jobs – Three, the green transition means vision to keep pace with the times – Fourth, the green transition means more development and more innovation – Fifth, the green transition means more cooperation between governments, parliaments, businesses, academics and all our people – Also, the green transition means a step closer to the European Union There are many, many other reasons, but, the Green Agenda, in general, should be our solution today and always. This is the wisest action in economic terms, in geostrategic terms, but above all, in terms of the well-being of our citizens, their health and the advancement of overall well-being. The Green Agenda can no longer be seen solely as a sustainable development concept. In fact, the green agenda has become the backbone of the whole concept of economic development within the European Union. This is best evidenced by the European Green Agreement which was then transferred to the countries of the Western Balkans through the Sofia Declaration and the commitments made by all 6 countries of our region. Focused on five pillars of action, respectively on decarbonisation, circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable food systems and rural areas as well as the protection of biodiversity, the Green Agenda aims to become the engine of accelerating economic development precisely by promoting innovative and transformational policies focused on advancing connectivity and regional cooperation. Moreover, all these commitments are accompanied and supported through the Economic and Investment Plan which consists of 9 billion euros in grants and 20 billion euros in guarantees, providing the financial source for turning words into deeds. Dear participants, We live in realities very different today than those of 5 years ago. While it may seem that the challenges are far greater and perhaps more difficult to meet, we must realize that laboratories, research centers, and universities around the world are working with unimaginable
President: We stand together, today and forever, with thousands of women and men survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu laid a wreath at the “Heroines” memorial, on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence during the war.
The President: Nekibe Kelmendi despite the challenges, found the courage to dedicate her whole life to the engagement for the freedom and independence of Kosovo
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu commemorated the former Minister of Justice Mrs. Nekibe Kelmendi, on the eleventh anniversary of her passing away.
President Osmani received at a meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received at a meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, with whom she held a substantive discussion and confirmed the excellent interstate relations.
President Osmani met with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Mr. Dimitar Kovacevski
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani met with the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Mr. Dimitar Kovacevski, with whom she discussed the opening of new chapters of cooperation between the two countries and bringing the citizens of both countries closer to each other.
President Osmani me with the Foreign Minister of Poland, Mr. Zbigniew Rau
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Mr. Zbigniew Rau, with whom she held an important discussion on the partnership between Kosovo and Poland as well as on security developments in the region and Europe.
President Osmani met the President of North Macedonia, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski
In the framework of the Prespa Forum Dialogue, which is being held in Ohrid, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani met with the President of North Macedonia, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski.