Despite some initial challenges, I’m really loving my work here with CRS Kosovo.
Basically, my primary responsibility every day is to learn more about the programming and operating processes of CRS, which for the Mitrovica office, focus mainly on peacebuilding activities. Our day-to-day tasks right now involve supporting our local partner organizations to train high school student councils on the following subjects: human rights, tolerance, peacebuilding theories and skills, conflict transformation, joint problem solving, and basic advocacy principles. We also support the formation of student councils in high schools throughout the region, which collaborate across ethnic lines to form citywide and regional youth councils and develop media campaigns that targeting teens and young adults (the main perpetrators of the continuing violence in Kosovo). The student councils also receive mini-grants for addressing problems and advocating for tolerance and peace in their communities.
My involvement basically consists of helping out with logistics, the monitoring and evaluation processes, and the editing of reports for our donor, USAID. I’m also in charge of developing a small new project with our partner organization, Caritas Kosovo, basically just to build upon their ongoing activities with a multi-ethnic training center. Lastly, I’m searching for ways to integrate women and peacebuilding activities into the CRS agenda here in Mitrovica, although with that I’m running into constant obstacles… more about those issues later.
