KOSOVO YOUTH RECONCILIATION PROGRAM

An interethnic youth reconciliation program will be held at the Brezovica Ski Center from 23 February, 2002 to 2 March, 2002. The program will involve twenty Kosovo-Albanians and Kosovo-Serbians, males & females ages 18 to 27. The participants will undergo a strenuous schedule of activities and workshops designed to break down cultural barriers and allow them to gain new insights concerning the interethnic situation.

The program is operated by the NGO "Future", with support from the UNMIK Department of Youth, the International Organization for Migration, The British Office (Pristina), the Kosovo Foundation for an Open Society (KFOS), and the UNMIK Police. The program coordinators are Kathy DEVASHER and Nega MRDAKOVIC, tel. 038-64413, 038-64048, and 063-8600175, e-mail: Future_Kosovo@hotmail.com

The opening ceremony will be held in the Molika Hotel starting at 16:30h on Saturday, 23/02/02. The guest speakers will include Mr. Rao BYIALA (India), Principal International Officer for the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports, & Non-Resident Affairs, and Mr. Paul HAMLIN (UK), UNMIK Police Regional Commander for Pristina. The closing ceremony will be held in the Molika Hotel starting at 11:30h on Saturday, 02/03/02.

The Press is also invited to view the program in action on Sunday, 24/02/02 and Wednesday, 27/02/02. Video/photo opportunities and interviews with the participants will be available. Members of the news media are requested to be in the lobby of the Molika Hotel by 09:30h on those days and a Press Officer will assist with the arrangements.

Press transportation is available and members of the news media who need transport or an escort between Pristina and the Brezovica Ski Center should telephone 038-504-604-6612 or 2998.

Barry FLETCHER Manny YNESTROZA
Office of Press and Public Information Regional Press Officer
UNMIK Police MHQ, Pristina UNMIK Police, Pristina HQ

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For additional information, contact the UNMIK Police Office of Press and Public Information at Police MHQ in Pristina: Tel. (381)-38-504-604-5071, FAX 5073.