When I think about Riinvest, three things immediately come to my mind: it is a centre of producing knowledge, sharing education – and accepting the experience of the others. When we wanted to have a thorough insight into the habits and expectations of Kosovo citizens, Riinvest helped us with a survey. When we are naming good education hubs to our colleagues and guests, visiting Pristina, Riinvest is the name we often mention. And I am personally proud that I was able to share some of our policy priorities and experiences with Riinvest students – and professors! All these shows that a serious academic institution today needs to have both educational and research ambitions if it wants to attract best students and compete on a global academic market. Riinvest’s focus on economic studies and research is even more important in the context of contemporary Kosovo situation. We like to say, especially after 2014 elections, that Kosovo needs to redouble its efforts in the field of economic governance. It is the most important game Kosovo is playing – since it is for the victory of all citizens, not just some or few of them. European Union supports activities, dedicated to economic development, employment and welfare. You know very well our priorities: economic development and welfare can be best motivated through market economy by improving fiscal policies for promotion of small and medium entrepreneurship and improving business environment. We support strong focus on agriculture and we found it important that Kosovo has recognised strong potential in developing tourism. But let me use this solemn opportunity of 20 years of your work to stress the importance of focus on such growth-oriented sectors as education is. While investments in education do not give immediate results, there are an absolute precondition for Kosovo to develop a knowledge-based society and sustainable economic development. It should be done in an all-inclusive way, involving civil society, businesses, foreign investors and even media. Society flourishes if economic does well – but in fact the best proof of such flourishing are seen in other, softer, but essential fields of social life, such as education, health, science and culture. Kosovo should not underestimate them, since they are crucial longer-term development policies. And it is here, not only in searching for new opportunities, but always insisting on human dimension of future economic development and the importance of high ethical standards of knowledge-based society, that academic institutions such as Riinvest should find their role – and future! Knowing the dedicated staff and the leadership of current Riinvest, I am more than confident that these expectations will be fulfilled.
You know how.
Samuel Žbogar
Head of the EU Office in Kosovo
supported by:UNFPA, ADA
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supported by:LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency
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supported by:Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS)
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supported by:Republika e Kosovës
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supported by:CARITAS
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supported by: U.S. Agency for International Development
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supported by:Norwegian Embassy & KCSF
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supported by:Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo
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