Celebrating 5 Years of Building Trust: Kosovo Trustbuilding Awards Ceremony 2023
It is with great joy that individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering trust, unity and progress in Kosovo gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the past five years in building trust at “5 Years of Building Trust: Kosovo Trustbuilding Awards Ceremony 2023.”
This long-awaited event honored outstanding trust-builders who made an outstanding contribution to building a harmonious and inclusive society, and at the same time presented the results of the trustbuilding salons held throughout Kosovo where we gathered young people and gave them the opportunity to participate in discussions on various topics related to the impact of digital innovations, media, as well as the participation and influence of young people in the process of trustbuilding.
This event was privileged in that Mrs. Caroline Ziadeh, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Kosovo, and Head of UNMIK, graced this occasion. As a tireless advocate for the people of Kosovo, she is a key partner in our efforts to build trust and reconciliation in the region. Ms. Ziadeh’s opening speech created an atmosphere of inspiration, recognizing the significant work of trustbuilders and encouraging all present to persevere in their efforts to advance the trustbuilding agenda in Kosovo.
The core of the event was recognition of outstanding individuals and organizations who have left an indelible mark in various spheres of trustbuilding through the Awards Ceremony. Each winner of the 2023 Kosovo Trustbuilding Award has exemplified commitment and innovation to fostering trust and unity.
Among the deserving winners was Aleksandra Jovanović, who received an award in the media category. As a passionate journalist, Jovanović dedicated herself to bridging divisions and building trust between communities in Kosovo. In her acceptance speech, Jovanović expressed her gratitude and stated: “This award is very important to me personally because it values the other side, the one that directly shows the impact of the broadcasts, reports made, texts written… This means that we have also contributed to getting to know each other better, and when we get to know each other, we will understand each other easier and better.”
In the Digital Innovations category, Bonevet Mitrovica stood out as an exceptional organization. Through innovative use of technology, Bonevet promotes inter-ethnic dialogue and reconciliation, and inspires us all with its creativity and commitment to this cause. As they said in their speech: “Building trust and innovative STEAM education centers are two key components of a healthy community. By investing in these areas, we can help build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.”
Recognizing the key role of young activists in building trust and promoting peace, Mila received the Kosovo Trustbuilding Award in the youth activism category. Her commitment and passion for peace building and girl leadership have been a source of inspiration for many. In her speech, Mila stated: “One of my primary goals is to continue to nurture the peace-building agenda while creating a legacy that will be left when my mission is over, and therefore if you want to see change in the world, you have to be the change.”
“5 Years of Building Trust: Kosovo Trustbuilding Awards Ceremony 2023″ provided a platform to recognize and honor outstanding individuals and organizations committed to building trust, understanding and unity in Kosovo. Their extraordinary efforts serve as a testament to the impact that building trust can have. As we celebrate their achievements, we are reminded of the importance of cooperation, dialogue, and empathy in shaping a society that is both harmonious and inclusive.
