[ALBSA-Info] NAAC Announces Second Group of Hope Fellows; Commitment Ceremony in Prishtina

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001
Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
______________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release: January 17, 2002    Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900
 
PRESS RELEASE
 
Second Group of Hope Fellows is Announced;
Commitment Ceremony to Take Place in Prishtina 
 
Washington, DC, January 17, 2002: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement announcing the second group of Hope Fellows.
 
NAAC will announce the second group of 12 Kosovar women participating in the Hope Fellowship program during the Second Commitment Ceremony at the Hotel Grand in Prishtina on January 21, 2002 between 6 p.m-8 p.m.  Invited guests to the ceremony include Ambassador John Menzies, Head of the US Office in Prishtina, Mr. Craig Buck, Head of the USAID Office in Prishtina, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, Leader of the DLK, Mr. Hashim Thaci, Leader of the DPK, Mr. Ramush Haradinaj, Leader of the AFK, and Mr. Fadil Ismali, Chairman of KEK.
 
In its ten-week duration, the Hope Fellowship program provides women from Kosova with training in the areas of leadership, public advocacy, network and coalition building, and public speaking.  In addition, Hope Fellows further their professional development through a practical training experience with a host organization in Washington, D.C.  Fellows develop a leadership project in their areas of expertise to be implemented upon their return to Kosova.
 
The first group of Hope Fellows developed projects in the areas of social services, education, and political empowerment.  Fellows are now in the process of implementing those projects throughout Kosova.  They have also established the Hope Fellowship Alumni Network that will aid them in accomplishing one of the major goals of the program by sharing their knowledge and expertise gained in the U.S. with other members of their communities.     
 
After a three-day pre-departure orientation in Prishtina, the second group will start its training in Washington, D.C. on January 28 and return to Kosova on April 4, 2002. Among the women in the second group are a university professor, an anthropologist, and social and political activists.  A biographical sheet of the second group of Hope Fellows is attached.   
 
The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs. For more information on the Hope Fellowship program and the National Albanian American Council please visit us on the web at: www.hopefellowships.org and www.naac.org 


National Albanian American Council
Hope Fellowship Program
Group 2 - Biographical Sheet
 
Leandra Berisha
Leandra graduated from the University of Tirana in Albania with a degree in Business Administration in 1999.  After the war, she returned to Kosova with her family.  Since June 2000, she has worked as a human resource management trainer with OSCE, and recently accepted a position as a business advisor in the town of Peja.  She will focus her fellowship on developing a training program for small and medium size businesses.
 
Arbnora Dushi  
As one of the few younger anthropologists in Kosova, Arbnora is regarded as an upcoming leader in the field.  Since 1997, she has worked as an assistant and most recently as an independent researcher at the Institute of Albanology, focusing on the collection and preservation of Albanian folklore.  Arbnora holds a Bachelors degree in Albanian Literature and a Masters in Albanian Literature and Folklore.   
 
Merita Halitaj
A graduate of the University of Prishtina with a degree in mining, Merita has actively taken up promoting women's rights since the end of the war.  She has been the director of the Counseling Center for Women, Children and Families in Prezren since 1999.  While a fellow, she will concentrate on learning the operations and procedures of a women's shelter, enabling her to start a shelter at her Center when she returns home. 
 
Fatime Hoxha
Before the war Fatime had 10 years of experience working with the Employment Office in Prishtina.  In 1999, she returned to her position at the Employment Center in Novo Berdo.  She was soon promoted, and is currently employed as a Training and Informatics Specialist with the UNMIK Department of Labor and Employment.  
 
Drita Kadriu
A 1988 graduate of biology at the University of Prishtina, Drita is the director of the primary school in Mitrovica.  Prior to becoming the director, she was a professor of biology for 9 years.  Interested in politics, she is the local leader of the Democratic Women's Organization of the PDK, and ran for Parliament in the November 2001 elections.    
 
Shkurta Kastrati
With a background in law, Shkurta is the Head Teller and management trainee for the American Bank of Kosovo in Prishtina.  While in Washington, DC she seeks to gain more in depth knowledge about the banking system and the role of the Treasury Department.  Specifically she wishes to learn about foreign exchange rates and the replacement of funds.  
 
Dr. Bardha Korca
Bardha works as a chemistry professor at both the University of Prishtina and University of Tetova.  In 1997 she received her PhD in Natural Science from the University of Zagreb, in collaboration with the University of Prishtina.  She is a passionate environmentalist and will explore water testing standards, techniques and legislation while a Hope Fellow.  
 
Shpresa Kursani
In 1998, Shpresa completed her PhD in Economics at the University of Prishtina.  She currently works as a manager in the System Economics and Modeling division of KEK (Kosovo Energy Company).  She has over 10 years of experience in the field of foreign investment, where she worked as a manager of foreign loans with the Electronic Economy in Kosovo.   
 
Melinda Mula 
Melinda is a program manager for the Kosova Education Center's program "Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in Reading and Writing."  She serves as a link between approximately 180 educators, trainers and the Ministry of Education.  The program is in collaboration with the International Reading Association and aims to train teachers in new methodologies, techniques, and strategies.  
 
Mimoza Polloshka
Although a trained mathematician, Mimoza has become interested in the creation and propagation of sustainable non-governmental organizations.  She works on a Women's Initiative Program with the German organization MALTEASER in Gjakova.  As a Hope Fellow, Mimoza will focus on creating a training program on institutional strengthening and capacity building for non-governmental organizations.   
 
Donika Salihu
As a Program Officer with Catholic Relief Services "Quality Education Program" since September 2000, Donika is committed to the need for parental involvement and collaboration in education.  While in Washington, DC, she will research parent and community involvement in education and design and implement her findings upon return to Kosova.  
 
Makifete Saliuke
Makifete has six years experience as a judge in both civil and labor courts.    She studied law at the University of Prishtina, receiving her degree in 1984.  She believes strongly in the importance of mediation, and the need for more skilled mediators in Kosova.  As a Hope Fellow, Makifete seeks to learn mediation techniques and practices, and implement a mediation program upon return to Kosova.  
 
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