Borisavljevic: Reconciliation between young Serbs and Albanians unlikely — Constant tensions and provocations are the main obstacle

Reconciliation and mutual understanding between young Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo will be difficult to achieve, despite decades of various initiatives aimed at building bridges, says Dusan Borisavljevic from the Youth Council of the Municipality of Gracanica. Speaking to Kosovo Online, he explains that ongoing tensions and provocations are the key obstacles.

“If you ask young people what they think of each other, everyone who faces shared problems won’t make distinctions based on ethnic or religious background. But due to recent events in Kosovo over the past few years, there is a noticeable tension, especially between young Albanians and Serbs. We’ve seen this through provocations in Gracanica, attacks in Laplje Selo — and that absolutely needs to stop,” says Borisavljevic.

He adds that reconciliation projects have been taking place in Kosovo for over two decades, but their impact remains questionable.

“Projects related to reconciliation and conflict transformation have been going on for 25–26 years. There are many such projects today, but whether they have led — or will ever lead — to reconciliation, I can’t say. There are projects where Serbs and Albanians work together, socialize, attend seminars, or do business together. But what the long-term effects of these projects will be, we don’t know,” he notes.

When asked whether young people in Kosovo are being taught mutual respect and coexistence alongside European values, Borisavljevic responds that these values are not clearly defined — especially not for Serbs in Kosovo.

“Are European values about lacking freedom of movement, not being able to use your language...? Recently we’ve seen that true values have disappeared, and the ones from the early 2000s have returned — tensions, animosities, provocations... which is truly harmful for young people who are supposed to be building the future. It’s really hard for young Serbs,” he says.

He believes that while it may be normal for young Albanians to have Serb friends, lately “it’s become very difficult to admit it.”

“I attended several workshops with Albanians, and we had a genuinely respectful relationship. But if there’s no motivation for us to attend those classes together, there’s no opportunity to even meet each other. I believe high school students have no contact. They don’t socialize in schools, and they don’t feel the need to. That’s a serious problem,” Borisavljevic emphasizes.

According to him, contact is more likely to happen later in life — through work in NGOs, volunteering, or shared interests.

He also sees school textbook content — especially in history — as a major obstacle to overcoming differences among youth.

“If we look at history, each side tells it differently. We will never have the same version of history, nor will we be able to agree on it. I don’t think the ultimate goal is to incite tensions. Only when people mature do they understand that our history is also theirs — and if there are two versions, they don’t necessarily have to match. Only once that is overcome can people realize that we can actually be friends in some respects. But right now, with the current tension and pressure on the Serbian people, I don’t think so. Many young people are being forced to leave this place, and that creates negative emotions,” concludes Borisavljevic.