Pristina, 16 December 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the fourth edition of “Let’s Talk 2024,” organized by the “Voice of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians” (VoRAE), an event that serves as a platform where prominent figures share stories, ideas, and experiences to address social challenges and promote positive change within communities and beyond.
Speaking about the discussion, Prime Minister Kurti stated that it is the best way to challenge oneself, learn new things, and foster connections between people. Moreover, he noted that today the internet has enabled us to engage in conversations and connect with a range of global ideas and voices from the comfort of our homes.
“Now, with internet connectivity, broadband access in every village and town of Kosovo, the citizens of Kosovo can easily, within an evening, engage with more innovators and visionaries, scientists, philosophers, activists, entrepreneurs and creators than could ever have gathered in the salons of Paris during the 18th century,” said the Prime Minister.
On the other hand, in addition to the many opportunities created by online platforms, he also highlighted new challenges.
“They have also created echo chambers where we only hear voices that agree with one another. Often, they have fostered polarization, marginalization, a greater space for hate speech, and even misunderstandings and prejudices,” said the Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of direct and open communication.
Recalling his participation in the previous edition of “Let’s Talk,” Prime Minister Kurti expressed that the more we share with one another, the stronger we will be as a society. “Every person, every community, and every state needs and has the right to share, celebrate, and nurture the connections that create, build, and develop identity,” he said.
“Let’s Talk 2024” is a unique event aiming to create a meaningful space for dialogue, inspiration, and action.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Mr. Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance,
Ms. Saranda Bogujevci, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, who will also join us a bit later this evening,
Honorable Mr. Isak Skenderi, Executive Director of the Organization “Voice of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians”,
Honorable representatives of the government cabinet,
Deputy ministers and Members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Honorable representatives and leaders of central and local institutions, embassies, and civil society,
Honorable attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
“Let’s Talk” is quite an inviting call. Perhaps tonight it would be fitting to say “let’s converse,” having here Erxhan Galushi, the two Arjetas, Fejza, and Rexhep, while also awaiting the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly to join us. Undoubtedly, conversation – whether we call it discussion, dialogue, or assembly – is the best way to challenge ourselves, to learn new things, and to build connections among people. This has been known since the time of Socrates, through the salons of the Enlightenment Era in the 17th and 18th centuries, the “muhabet” gatherings of Islamic tradition, particularly Bektashi, and the conversations in traditional Albanian odas.
Today, from living rooms of our homes, we can engage in discussions and connect with a variety of global ideas and voices. Now, with internet connectivity, broadband access in every village and town of Kosovo, the citizens of Kosovo can easily, within an evening, engage with more innovators and visionaries, scientists, philosophers, activists, entrepreneurs and creators than could ever have gathered in the salons of Paris during the 18th century.
However, online platforms have not only created better and greater opportunities, but they have also created echo chambers where we only hear voices that agree with one another. Often, they have fostered polarization, marginalization, a greater space for hate speech, and even misunderstandings and prejudices. For these reasons, I believe we need not only telephones but also microphones and the opportunity to hear voices directly; without the option to ‘mute’ or ‘fast forward’; without the ability to turn off the camera, but to speak directly, openly and sincerely.
I believe that tonight, with the stories you will hear, as challenging as they might seem to confront, they can equally motivate us as reminders of the solidarity needed with and for one another. These are stories about how our identity is shaped through what we have experienced together, through sympathy and empathy, at different times and in different forms, with difficult moments and moments of joy, often shared. Every person, every community, and every state needs and has the right to share, celebrate, and nurture the connections that create, build, and develop identity. From my participation in the previous edition of this event, “Let’s Talk,” I stated that the more we share with one another, the stronger we will be as a society.
Thank you very much for this organization. Let’s talk; let’s listen.
Last modified: December 20, 2024