Employment opportunities for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities have become more accessible and more and more members of these communities are building professional careers in Kosovo. This was emphasized at the opening of the 8th edition of the Multicultural Festival and Mobile Exhibition “KRAH”, where the progress achieved in education, employment and social inclusion of these communities was also evaluated, reports KosovaPress.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister in office, Albin Kurti emphasized that cultural diversity is part of the identity and one of the great assets of Kosovo.

“It is an asset that we must preserve, promote and pass on to generations. “Back then, the festival was organized only for one day, it was a small-scale initiative. Today, after eight years, we see how much that vision has grown and turned into an important tradition for our country. The journey of this festival is proof that good ideas, when built on dedication, cooperation and trust in common values, can have a long life and a wide social impact. today the festival has become a space where cultures, communities, professions and different forms of creativity meet. It has created a place for artisans, for local businesses, for women entrepreneurs, for poets, for young artists and for representatives of all communities… The festival is not only a celebration, it is a reflection of how the Republic of Kosovo understands and builds itself as a democratic, open and inclusive state. Cultural diversity is part of our identity and one of our assets It is an asset that we must preserve, promote and pass on to the younger generations.

Kurti said that the Government of Kosovo has implemented concrete policies for the advancement of equality and inclusion of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. He mentioned the distribution of about 2,000 scholarships for the students of these communities, as well as the financial support for educational centers during the last years.

“Our republic is built on the principle that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, language, culture, religion or origin, have an equal place in public, social and institutional life. Therefore, the advancement of equality and the inclusion of all communities remains an inseparable part of our institutional commitment. This is reflected in policies and measures which aim to expand the opportunities in education, employment, social support and participation in the public life of all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, because we are a state that is built and believes in human rights that combine universality and equality. In this regard, the Government of Kosovo has followed and continues to follow a sustainable approach to the advancement of equality and inclusiveness of communities. This approach is not limited to statements, but to concrete policies in education, employment, social support and institutional participation”. he said.

And, VoRAE’s executive director, Isak Skenderi, said that employment opportunities for the communities are now significantly greater.

“When we started this journey, the challenges facing the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities were much greater. Inequalities in education were pronounced. Opportunities for employment were limited. Living conditions were often unacceptable, while discrimination continued affected the daily lives of many families. Today, after 15 years, we can say with conviction that the investment in inclusion gives concrete results. In the field of education, we have significantly helped to narrow the gap and better school results between Roma, Ashkali children and the rest of society. The model of learning centers and scholarship programs for high school students, which were once initiatives supported by our partners, today they are institutionalized mechanisms and part of Kosovo’s public policies”, he said

According to Skender, investments in education have helped narrow the gap between Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children and the rest of society, while learning centers and scholarship programs have already become part of policies in Kosovo.

“Through employment mediation, technical support and cooperation with more than 300 businesses and companies over the years, today we have a completely different reality than we had a decade ago. Employment opportunities are more accessible and more and more members of our communities are building professional careers, contributing to the country’s economy and ensuring well-being for their families Egyptians are seen through negative stereotypes. Today, less and less citizens are reluctant to share the same class with Roma, and more and more people are happy to have them as friends, neighbors or colleagues. It is the result of years of dialogue, awareness and communication. institutions, our partners and the media”, he declared.

Skender also praised the progress in the housing field, saying that over 500 families have gained access to warm water and decent sanitary conditions.

The Multicultural Festival and Exhibition “KRAH” will continue with various cultural, artistic and promotional activities, aiming to strengthen dialogue, understanding and cooperation between communities in Kosovo.

Source: prizrenpost