The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kosovo and the British Embassy in Pristina hosted the conference “Building Bridges: Advancing Reconciliation, Dialogue and Civic Voice – What Have We Learned” to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, and results of the ongoing multi-year "Dealing with Conflict Legacy" project, which has been generously funded by the British Embassy in Pristina and implemented by UNDP Kosovo. This significant event provided a crucial platform to showcase remarkable achievements in fostering inter-ethnic trust, promoting civic engagement and addressing the profound and sensitive legacy of missing persons.

The conference marked these achievements and recognized the vital contributions of partners and stakeholders. Bringing together a large number of participants, including representatives from the British Embassy in Pristina, central institutions, families of missing persons, civil society organizations members of the Coordinating Council of Family Associations of Missing Persons, international partners, members of the judiciary, law enforcement officials, lecturers and media representatives, the conference highlighted the project results ranging from 2018 to2025, presented the impact of civil society engagement in policy dialogue and transitional justice, and created a space for reflection, discussion and renewed commitment to sustaining results beyond the project’s lifecycle.

During his opening remarks, H.E. Jonathan Hargreaves, British Ambassador, emphasized: “It has been a privilege, but a painful privilege, in the past few months to meet families of the missing from all communities. And it struck me how many commonalities there are among families carrying the same pain, asking the same questions, but having the same hope. I want to commend all of you for the work you have done and the part you continue to play in supporting families and helping them find the truth.”

In his speech, Nuno Queirós, UNDP Resident Representative, expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support of the British Embassy in Pristina, which was instrumental in amplifying victims' voices and strengthening public discourse: “The legacy of conflict continues to cast a long shadow. Over two decades have passed, and yet 1,595 people remain missing. For their families, time has stood still. They continue to search for truth, for justice and for a sense of closure that remains vague. I would like to thank the Government of the United Kingdom, through its Embassy in Pristina, for the unwavering support and dedication to this issue. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who have walked this path with us. Your dedication has been the backbone of this journey.”

Three dynamic panel discussions took place at the conference that examined critical aspects of reconciliation and transitional justice by bringing together a diverse group of experts and generating open discussions and conclusions, reinforcing the importance of locally owned processes and the engagement of non-Albanian and non-Serb communities in fostering inter-ethnic trust and social cohesion.

The Dealing with Conflict Legacy project has laid crucial groundwork by strengthening civil society, building trust and engaging women and youth as agents of change in addressing the legacies of conflict. The event served as a renewed call for sustained commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive engagement.

For more information, please contact:

Burbuqe Dobranja, Communications Associate, UNDP 
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410;   mobile: 049 720 800      e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org

Danijela Mitić, Communications Associate, UNDP 
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412;    mobile: 049 720 824     e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org



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