• Summer School as School Public Program 8 August 2023
Politics of Identity and Ethnic Relations in Kosovo by Bekim Baliqi

Summer School as School 2023
The Public Program
August 8, 2023, 20:00

Politics of Identity and Ethnic Relations in Kosovo
Presentation by Bekim Baliqi

Venue: Boxing Club, Mark Isaku 8, 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo

Abstract
The presentation will focus on the paper of the same name, which explores the issue of identity politics and of a multi-ethnic society, by looking at the state iconography, the citizenship issue as well as at peace negotiations based on Kosovo as a case study. The theoretical framework used was based on the power-sharing model known as consociationalism democracy. Research methods applied were based mainly in discourse analysis and in content analysis of relevant documents, literature and other sources. The inter-ethnic relations between Serbs and Albanians were traced historically from the period after the Second World War, following with the dissolution of Yugoslavia and Milosevic’s regime, continuing with the post-conflict period in Kosovo through to the declaration of Kosovo’s Independence. Then different levels and diverse aspects of the identity building process are explored. Also the issues of state symbols and citizenship will be discussed as relevant research topics. A part of the presentation addresses negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade and their impact on ethnic relations and reconciliation efforts, including a brief discussion of questions of multi-ethnic society and civic identity in Kosovo. 

Biography
Bekim Baliqi studied political science (Mag.Phil.) and completed his doctoral studies (Dr.phil) at the Department of Political Science, College of Vienna. He is a full professor at the Faculty of Political Science, College of Prishtina, with research interests in nationalism studies, memory politics and democratization in post-conflict societies. He has participated in a number of academic international symposia and research projects and has published several books and research articles in prestigious journals. He is fluent in English, German and Serbian and understands Turkish and Italian.