Highlights of the 'Diaspora Flet' 2023
Sihana Bejtullahu and Lirim Krasniqi, Co-Directors of GERMIN opening the "Diaspora Flet" 2023 Conference

Highlights of the 'Diaspora Flet' 2023

GERMIN GERMIN

GERMIN

Engaging the Diaspora to Advance the Development and Diplomacy of the Western Balkans.

发布日期: 2023年6月7日
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On May 18, 19, and 20, 2023, GERMIN organized the third edition of the largest?Albanian Diaspora?Conference, "Diaspora Flet", in Prishtina. Themed "How can we co-create?" – the conference's third edition aimed to explore and foster cooperation in various fields,?empowering?the?diaspora?communities and influencing significant?changes?in the countries of?origin. During the three days of the conference, hundreds of professionals and policymakers came together to?discuss,?present?and?exchange?information, experiences, and ideas for?co-creation. In this?newsletter, you can find the main moments of the three-day conference.

The conference started with a surprise performance by the Children's Choir "Okarina", who performed songs devoted to life in "m?rgim" (abroad).

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President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu held a keynote address , followed by welcoming remarks of the GERMIN Board Co-Chairs, Anila Hyka-Sm?grav , Avni Mustafaj . Joshua Mike from USAID Kosovo endorsed the conference and its mission.


Mike Bailey, the opening day keynote speaker, came from Israel to give an extraordinary presentation , showcasing Israel's history and experience of co-creation with the diaspora - as a global example for any country/nation.

Mike Bailey, the opening day keynote speaker came from Israel to give an extraordinary presentation, showcasing Israel's history and example of co-creation with the diaspora.
The opening day concluded with the presentation of the OriginAL program, and a video message from Mark Kosmo, Chair of the Global Albanians Foundation, who pledged 1 million dollars to support the program.

Prime Minister of Kosova, Albin Kurti, keynote speaker on the 2nd day

After the prime minister's speech, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora,?Liza Gashi, presented the new government approach for the engagement of the diaspora, highlighting the upcoming Diaspora Impact Fund, the new diaspora strategy, and the new law on the diaspora, all three initiatives which are expected to be finalized in the months of next within the year 2023.

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Eight thematic sessions with 56 panelists/presenters/moderators

The following topics and themes were discussed and addressed:

  1. Diaspora Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Investments ;
  2. Integration of a gender perspective in the Diaspora Debate ;
  3. Know-how and skills exchanges: opportunities and challenges ;
  4. Youth emigration and brain drain: how to tackle this phenomenon? ;
  5. Workshop: From Diaspora Philanthropy to Sustainable Development ;
  6. Engaging Diaspora for the Development of Our Cities ;
  7. Diaspora Voting Rights and Representation: What's going on? ;
  8. Identity and Cultural Life among Diaspora Communities ;

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika G?rvalla-Schwarz, joined the conference virtually from Germany . She briefly presented her diaspora journey, the challenges she has gone through during her over 20 years of living abroad, and her return to Kosova in 2021 to serve as Minister. G?rvalla-Schwarz said that she understands diaspora life very well and the desire to connect with the homeland. She added that the government is doing great work to channel and transfer the diaspora's human and financial capital.

Lightning Talks: Inspirational stories from diaspora personalities

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We enjoyed listening to the speeches of the outstanding diaspora personalities. The first was the entrepreneur Mirela Sula, who, through her speech, made us understand that everything is possible in life, from her personal example - from emigration as a young woman from Albania to the UK to the success with Global Woman Club & Magazine. We have heard his performances but not his speeches. The well-known guitarist Petrit ?eku, in this "Diaspora Flet" session, showed another talent of his, humour. He revealed a very interesting part of his journey, from his first guitar lessons in Prizren to the biggest world stages and prizes. Meanwhile, the well-known journalist from the diaspora, Bahri Cani, talked about the years when he reported on the war in Kosova - a period that shaped his career. He then talked about how he had to make a radical change in reporting - prompted by his son to report during COVID-19. Very few people had heard of Rita Kastrati before, a 24 years old who came to "Diaspora Flet" from London to share her story of being appointed as the UN Women delegate of the United Kingdom, as well as the entrepreneurship career in the field of technology.
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Bujar Nushi, engineer and researcher, Ambassador of the Nation - announced by the Republic of Albania, spoke about his engagement from the Netherlands with the Salih & Isa Nushi Foundation to develop/support education, science, and culture in the city and region of Mitrovica. Meanwhile, Teuta Vodo, lecturer at Sciences Po - Paris, revealed pieces from her professional life, the vicissitudes of academic and professional development as a young woman in the diaspora, and her will and experience of contributing to Albania in governance and civil society. G?zim Qadraku, another young man in the diaspora, talked about the identity crisis while growing up in Italy as an immigrant from Kosova. A crisis that made him discover a new talent - writing, through which he became one of the most read authors of the magazine Kosovo 2.0. Ermal Sadiku, a former diaspora member, spoke about his decision to return from Germany to open and develop a successful ICT company in Kosovo. He highlighted the strong desire to return - before greater opportunities abroad - as the main factor for return. Last but not least was Arb?resha Dula, who talked about life and challenges in Norway in the 90s. Her experience with the mobilization of aid for Kosovaa during that time influenced her professional formation as an expert in the field of migration at the IOM.

Diaspora Speaks in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo

A unique session of the Assembly of Kosova was held on May 20, the last day of "Diaspora Flet'. The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo,?Glauk Konjufca?opened the session, pointing out that the Albanian diaspora has contributed to every achievement of Kosovo and Albania. In his speech, he emphasized the importance that the homeland countries should give to preserving and protecting Albanian identity, language, and culture - prerequisites before any engagement and contribution afterwards.

The head of the Parliamentary Group of "Vetevendosje",?Mimoza Kusari-Lila, greeted the attendees and thanked the diaspora for the work done in the past and the present.?Diaspora representatives from different countries hold speeches, highlighting the current state of relations with the homeland and the dynamics of diaspora communities.?Rosario Petta, Mayor of the Piana Degli Albanesi in Italy - the oldest Albanian diaspora community forwarded the greetings of the Arb?resh community to Kosova, and their desire to obtain Kosova's passports; He was followed by the speeches of?Bora Zukali?from the Albanian Community "Vatra" in Istanbul, Turkey;?Hilmi Gashi, Germin Board Member and Diaspora Activist from Switzerland;?Vjollca Robelli-Mripa, singer/songwriter from the United Kingdom;?Anita Gjidoda, Experienced IT and e-services professional at Atlassian from the Netherlands;?Muhamet Idrizi?from Germany, Activist, a teacher in Hamburg, and President of the ODA association;?Nestor Dede, chairman of the network of Albanian Diaspora Businesses in Greece.

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Diaspora Flet Conference participants at the Plenary Hall of the Parliament of Kosova

Closing ceremony at the premises of the Museum of Kosova

After 72 hours from the beginning, the "Diaspora Flet" Conference - was concluded on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20, at the Lapidarium (premises) of the Kosova's Museum, in a reception hosted by the Municipality of Prishtina. The Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Prishtina,?Alban Zogaj, greeted all those present, adding that such events with a focus on the diaspora are very important in intensifying exchanges between people here and abroad for the development of the home countries and diaspora communities.

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Closing ceremony at the Lapidarium of the Museum of Kosova

Three days program, 400+ participants, 74 speakers, 13 sessions, and 21 partner organizations and institutions made the third edition of the "Diaspora Flet' a great success. GERMIN will follow up on all the discussions and activities and publish a detailed conference report soon.

'Diaspora Flet' 2023 would not be possible without the support of our donors.

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GERMIN's Diaspora Briefings GERMIN's Diaspora Briefings

GERMIN's Diaspora Briefings

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