Prishtina, 15 July, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the event organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the non-governmental organization “Balkan Sunflowers”. This organization has worked for a quarter of a century in Kosovo with the aim of positively influencing social life in the country, engaging in initiatives for the protection of human rights, and contributing to education, health, culture, citizenship, employment and respect for diversity.
In his speech, the Prime Minister appreciated the dedication of this organization while recalling its activities over the years.
“We are here today to celebrate this organization and the commitment, success and change it has brought about. As Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, perfection is not an act, but a habit.” This quote, I believe, sums up the great dedication of this quarter of a century of “Balkan Sunflowers”, said the Prime Minister.
He added that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has constantly proven that it treats and considers non-governmental organizations as partners, recognizing and appreciating their contribution, supporting them through open calls for various projects and activities.
In this regard, the Prime Minister emphasized that the teaching centers of “Balkan Sunflowers” licensed by MESTI have been supported with funds from the Ministry for this year in the amount of 56 thousand euros. “This also helps in the priorities of our strategies, in the prevention of school dropouts and in the prevention of early marriages”, said the Prime Minister.
While thanking the organization for its work, commitment, role and contribution over the years, the Prime Minister concluded his speech by emphasizing that through cooperation, we can achieve our objectives for a fairer and more equal society.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Ferdane Asllani, Director of Balkan Sunflowers Kosova,
The honorable Mr. Rand Engel, founder and former director of Balkan Sunflowers,
Dear Ms. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
The honorable Mr. Tomas Szunyog, Special Representative of the European Union in Kosovo,
Dear Ms. Nancy Soderberg, Director of the National Democratic Institute,
Dear Ms. Veronika Vashchenko, Director of UNICEF in Kosovo,
Dear representatives of local and international organizations,
Dear participants, members of Balkan Sunflowers,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentlemen, sisters and brothers,
It is a pleasure to be here with you in marking this important, jubilee anniversary, the 25th anniversary of Balkan Sunflowers Kosova. This jubilee speaks of the dedication of this organization in helping the communities.
In 2003, I was invited as a guest to a multi-ethnic training and part of several Balkan Sunflowers activities. There I met for the first time Mr. Rand Engel, and I have seen firsthand his positive energy, hard work, patience, discipline, and positive, progressive ideas about human rights and social equality.
That is why we are here today, to celebrate this organization and the commitment, success and change it has brought about. As Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, perfection is not an act, but a habit.” This quote, I believe, sums up the great dedication of this quarter century of Balkan Sunflowers.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has repeatedly proven that we treat and consider non-governmental organizations as partners. Recognizing and appreciating the contribution of organizations, over the years we have had open calls to support various projects and activities.
I am glad that the learning centers of Balkan Sunflowers licensed by MESTI have been supported with funds from the Ministry again this year with an amount of 56 thousand euros. This also helps in the priorities of our Strategies, in the prevention of school dropouts as well as in the prevention of early marriages.
Through cooperation we can achieve our objectives for a fairer and more equal society, as director Ferdane Asllani said. Organizations, such as Balkan Sunflowers, have continuously played a role in this aspect. Therefore, I thank you for your work, commitment, role, contribution and happy 25th anniversary!
I wish you many more birthdays, many more decades, and many more quarters of centuries.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Last modified: July 24, 2024