28.01.2025. » 14:32 | ACDC

ACDC AND BIRODI HELD THE CONFERENCE “Serbian/Albanian Media Mirror”

Prishtina, 23. January – As part of the project titled "Serbian/Albanian Media Mirror," implemented by ACDC and BIRODI, and supported by National Endowment for Democracy (NED), conference was held on January 23, 2025, at Hotel Sirius in Prishtina, bringing together experts to discuss critical issues in Serb-Albanian relations in the North Kosovo and South Serbia (Bujanovac Valley). Moderated by Ines Aljović Mihajlović, the panel featured Zoran Gavrilović, Agon Isljami, Branimir Krstić, and Dušan Radaković, who shared insights into the challenges and opportunities for fostering mutual understanding between these communities.

The conference began with Dušan Radaković, executive director of NGO ACDC, presenting an overview of a regional project focused on northern Kosovo and southern Serbia, particularly Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa. Radaković emphasized that the project aimed to bridge gaps between these communities. He stressed the need for cultural events and other projects promoting cohabitation as pathways to improve relations.

Sociologist Zoran Gavrilović presented findings from the research, which examined the psychological and sociological dimensions of strained relations between Serbs and Albanians. The results revealed that entrenched stereotypes and inherited identities continue to perpetuate distrust and division between the communities.

“Here, in the results of this research, we came across the concept called ‘defensive and offensive militarism’, referring to the belief that war is justified either to protect a country’s territory or to rectify past injustices.”

Agon Islami, Civic association "Center for Democracy and Education – Valey (Dolina)", brought attention to the challenges faced by Albanians in the Preševo Valley, such as address passivization, underrepresentation in institutions, and lack of political representation.

Journalist from northern Kosovo, Branimir Krstić, focused on the role of the media. Krstić pointed out the lack of political pluralism in Serbian-language media, as well as the failure of Albanian media to cover issues concerning Serbs. He expressed concern about the rise of ethnophobia and warned of the great potential for conflict if this issue is not addressed."

The conference concluded with a call to action, emphasizing that the current trajectory of mutual distrust and propaganda must change. The findings and recommendations from the report are available on the ACDC website.