Kosovo Initiates Nationwide Census Amid Tensions with Serbia

Summary:

Kosovo's government launched its first comprehensive census since 2011, aiming to include the ethnic Serb minority in the process despite ongoing tensions with Serbia. Scheduled from April 5 to May 17, this €12 million initiative, funded by the Kosovar government alongside international organizations like Eurostat, the UN, and the World Bank, seeks to gather crucial demographic and socioeconomic data to aid Kosovo's EU integration efforts. The census will cover various indicators, including education, employment, and war-related damages, with hopes of a positive response from all communities, including the ethnic Serbs.

Important Points:

• First Census in a Decade: This nationwide effort marks Kosovo's first census since 2011, involving over 4,400 surveyors interviewing residents to collect key data.

• Focus on Integration and Development: The census aims to facilitate Kosovo's aspirations for European Union integration by providing updated demographic and socioeconomic data.

• Inclusive Approach: Despite the backdrop of heightened tensions with Serbia, Kosovo's government is encouraging participation from the ethnic Serb minority to ensure comprehensive data collection.

• Historical Context: The census also seeks information on war-related damages and the fate of individuals during the 1998-1999 conflict, reflecting ongoing efforts to address the war's legacy.

Additional Information to Remember:

• International Support: The project's funding from Eurostat, UN agencies, and the World Bank underscores the international community's support for Kosovo's statistical and developmental endeavors.

• Ethnic Serb Participation: Prime Minister Albin Kurti's appeal to the ethnic Serb minority highlights the government's commitment to inclusivity and the importance of accurate population data for policy-making.

• Legacy of Conflict: The inclusion of questions related to the 1998-1999 war emphasizes the ongoing impact of the conflict on Kosovo's society and the need for reconciliation and healing.

Key Words and Descriptions:

• Census: A systematic enumeration of a population, typically involving the collection of demographic, social, and economic information.

• Eurostat: The statistical office of the European Union, providing statistical information to the institutions of the European Union.

• Ethnic Serb Minority: A significant community within Kosovo, whose participation in the census is crucial for accurately reflecting the country's demographic landscape.

• 1998-1999 Kosovo War: A conflict between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists, culminating in NATO intervention and Kosovo's eventual declaration of independence in 2008.

Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 06 April 2024

Link to the article (might require a paid subscription) : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-04-06/th_international/articleG6BCKP04R-6372118.ece

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