Without the free expression of opinions, exchange of ideas and access to independent information, the wheels of democracy grind to a halt as voices are silenced and civil society stagnates.

Without the opportunity to discuss issues with people from the other side of an ethnic or religious divide, there is little hope of resolving problems.

Without a secure and open forum for debate, there is no support for cultivating individual and group participation in, or responsibility for the democratic process.

The Albanian-Serb Information Exchange Forum provided all of the above in Kosovo for 18 months; a safe, yet open space offering the only independent news service for Kosovo in three languages simultaneously, as well as a debate forum. It was implemented as an on-line endeavor and during its 18-month pilot run (2004-2006) the forum proved its role as a vital tool for the democratic process and received praise from the highest levels.

Mr Javier Solana (secretary-general of the Council of the European Union and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy), Mr Soren Jessen-Petersen (former Special Representative of the UN secretary-general to Kosovo and head of the UN Mission in Kosovo) Dr Erhard Busek (head of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe), and Mr Richard Zink (director of the European Agency for Reconstruction), among others, all congratulated the work of this initiative and highlighted its critical and unique role in the region. 

However, due to a lack of funding this sphere for democracy has now all but closed down. Currently operating as only a news website, the potential for the peoples’ voices to be heard has faded, and with it, hope.

A dialogue forum

The Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE, based in Thessaloniki) in partnership with Beta Media Centar, Belgrade, and KosovaLive News Agency, Pristina, created, implemented and managed this news and dialogue forum as a team of equals-professionals drawn from all sections of the communities in Kosovo and Serbia as a cooperative cross-community endeavor.

The forum made an essential contribution to the democratic process in Kosovo, which in turn contributed to the stability of the region of Southeast Europe. In addition, it served as a morale booster as it provided a positive, proactive model of how communities divided by recent conflict, ethnic and religious hatred can and do work together in peace and cooperation toward a shared goal.

At this time of transition, uncertainty and insecurity in Kosovo, the need for this public arena is greater than ever.

As talks continue about the final status of the province, the issues, hopes, fears and emotions that the imposed peace had kept a lid on will necessarily come to the fore. The provision of a non-confrontational, public outlet for the expression of these feelings has never been more crucial, if the people of Kosovo are to play a full part in a lasting, equitable and democratic solution that allows them to take control of their own futures and define their own choices. Citizens not only need to have a way to make their voices heard, but also need an instrument for self-reflection and constructive critique in order for a robust civil society to emerge with the self-confidence and open-mindedness to move forward democratically.

An active civil society

The project’s goal was, and still is, to contribute to the development of an informed, active and democratic civil society in Kosovo through the re-establishment of dialogue between Albanians and Serbs and the provision of an independent news service. Through this facility, participation in the political processes as well as access to the opinions of ‘the other side’ and the opportunity to express one’s views were established ― thus upholding three fundamental human rights: a) access to impartial information, b) the right to free expression, and c) the right to participate in political processes. These rights are not only central pillars of democracy, but also crucial to conflict prevention and reconciliation.

That there are differences of opinion stated through the forum reflects the diversity of the region. Moreover, the fact that disagreements can be aired without fear of backlash, but rather serve as a means to solving problems with words rather than violence, is an enormous stepping stone toward the emergence of a participative civil society.

Each article, piece of news, debate, comment and opinion was posted in three languages simultaneously (Albanian, Serbian and English), and implemented, edited and managed by staff drawn from both communities. The site was edited on alternate days by Beta Media Agency in Belgrade and by KosovaLive in Pristina. All management decisions were reached collaboratively and, to the credit of all of the staff involved, the built-in process for the arbitration of any editorial disagreements did not need to be activated once throughout the 18 month project. This in itself ― quite apart from the website’s content and service to the people ― stood as a model of democracy and reconciliation as it was a working example of these values and how they can be applied in reality.

Journalists in Kosovo used the site as a non-biased source of accurate information and were also invited to submit articles and opinion pieces. In addition, various different politicians, NGO activists and other prominent figures were given the chance to contribute an opinion piece on whatever subject they chose. This would then be posted on the website and their counterparts or the public were invited to comment, respond or open up a dialogue.

The basis of the project

Prior to the project’s inception, the CDRSEE commissioned a thorough set of attitudinal surveys carried out by Dr Colin Irwin from Queen’s University Belfast in order to ascertain the true opinions of the people of Kosovo. The comprehensive polls were methodologically rigorous (Dr Irwin having created and implemented similar surveys in the region before ― one of which formed the basis of a project with the BBC WST in Bosnia & Herzegovina) and provided the proof of the project’s need in the region, based on the direct voices of the people. Fear for the future, mistrust, loss of faith in the political processes, lack of access to information, lack of channels for dialogue, articulation of interest or peaceful means of grievance redress were all high on the list of concerns.
With the empirical qualitative data showing the opinions of the people, not just the assumptions of think tanks, academics or observers, the CDRSEE was assured of the real urgency of this project’s purpose to the communities of Kosovo.

The continued participation in the website discussions backs up the results of Dr Irwin’s poll and demonstrated the continued need for the site’s existence.

We are currently seeking funding to continue this project. All donations will be acknowledged and are tax-deductible. The CDRSEE will provide any potential donors with all documentation they may require as evidence of the CDRSEE’s legal standing as a non-profit and non-governmental organization. The CDRSEE will also supply all documentation pertaining to the sound financial management of the organization in accordance with the laws and regulations governing these matters. Donors can be mentioned in our publicity and annual reports. Donors may also reserve the right to remain anonymous. Should you be interested in donating, or finding out more, please contact:
Mr Nenad Sebek, Executive Director, CDRSEE at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or visit the project website , or the CDRSEE’s website .

What was accomplished

The people of Kosovo and Serbia were the primary beneficiaries and participants simultaneously. This fact underpins an essential and unique way of working; that the people served by the project are active participants in the process and in this way the act of taking part contributes to the building up of democratic skills, whatever the subject debated in the forum may be.

It is not only important for the people in Kosovo to be heard and to hear each other, but also for the Serbs and Albanians living in the multifaced diaspora across the world to have access to the debates and to take part in the processes under way in Kosovo. 

As this was an on-line initiative, of course, anyone with internet access anywhere in the world could benefit, and it is for this reason that each contribution is also in English. In addition to the citizens whose future is currently being decided in the talks on Kosovo, the project’s complete and constant translation into English enables Kosovo to present itself to the world in a realistic and constructive light: a true reflection of the positive, skilled and determined efforts created by the people ― as opposed to the negative stereotyping that is all too often the fodder for Europe and the US’s news reports on the region.

In addition to serving the people themselves, the project has and will continue to strengthen the capacity of Kosovo’s independent media sector to be able to develop into a robust, credible and effective part of a functioning democracy. 

We recognize that through the feedback from the people who used the debate forum the essential work of allowing feelings and opinions to be heard has started, but that without the continued presence of the forum, the dialogue and breaking down of barriers that had begun is in danger of being lost. What the continuation of this project will accomplish is the rebuilding of this bridge between the communities; a bridge without which the transition from ‘Kosovo the UN-administered province’ to whatever the final status is, carries a high potential for renewed conflict.

The ramifications of the project go far beyond the website and the ideas exchanged on it. The fact that it has been shown publicly that Serbs, Albanians and others can cooperate on a shared project ― even handling sensitive and potentially divisive issues ― and can openly, peacefully and constructively debate their common future has created a ripple of optimism and a positive example of reconciliation in practice.

Even those who don’t actually take part in the web discussions gain from it, as it contributes to the emergence of a nascent civil society working toward democracy and reconciliation. With one arena for open debate between the communities being a success, this creates the impetus for more free sharing of opinions and engagement in the process of dialogue on both formal and informal levels.

Challenges and opportunities

However many treaties of paper are signed, however many presidential or ministerial handshakes are delivered and however rigidly systems of governance are constructed, without true communication and understanding between the peoples of Kosovo, there can be no durable solution, no true self-determination, and no proper stability in the wider region of Southeast Europe. 

To this end, the Albanian-Serb Information Exchange Forum has served the wider community of Southeast Europe. Its continuation will contribute to the task of providing the means by which the peoples of Kosovo can start to reconcile and work together toward a peaceful and equitable future.

By Ruth Sutton
Ruth Sutton is the development coordinator at the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE).