From October 26 to 29, 2025, a delegation of the Association Forgotten Children of War visited Pristina, Kosovo, as part of a study visit aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and developing an international advocacy network for children born of war. The visit focused on the exchange of experiences with organizations working in the fields of transitional justice, human rights, and gender equality, as well as on gaining a deeper understanding of the social and legal visibility of children born as a result of wartime sexual violence in the context of Kosovo.
The Association’s delegation included Ajna Jusić, President of the Association; Saida Gicić, Financial Manager; Senedin Hrnjica, Administrative and Financial Assistant and Arts Program Coordinator; Tarik Ekmeščić, Legal Advisor; and Eldin Buljubašić, Project Coordinator.
During the study visit, a total of five meetings were held with key institutions and organizations in Kosovo, including the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT), Artpolis – Art and Community Center, Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) Kosovo, and the organization pro Peace. Discussions with representatives of KRCT focused on psychosocial and institutional support for survivors of wartime sexual violence, as well as on challenges related to recognition, legal protection, and advocacy for victims’ rights. Meetings with Artpolis opened space for discussion on the role of art as a tool for healing, empowerment, and public dialogue, and its potential to break silence and stigma. Engagements with YIHR Kosovo focused on strengthening regional cooperation and the exchange of experiences in the field of transitional justice, particularly in the contexts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, while meetings with pro Peace emphasized the importance of dialogue, trust, and joint initiatives in processes of reconciliation and the building of sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.
During their stay in Pristina, representatives of the Association also participated in the presidential-level event “Women, Peace, and Security: Addressing Emerging Threats Through Cooperation”, organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The event was organized by the Regional Centre of Excellence for Women, Peace, and Security in Kosovo and focused on contemporary threats and emerging forms of violence against women and girls, including digital violence and cyber attacks.
As part of the program, a panel discussion titled “Addressing Intergenerational Trauma Resulting from Wartime Sexual Violence” was held, featuring Feride Rushiti, Executive Director of KRCT; Ajna Jusić from the Association Forgotten Children of War; and Vanesa Sulimani, an advocate on the impacts of intergenerational trauma. Drawing on both personal experiences and professional perspectives, the panelists spoke about the long-term consequences of intergenerational trauma and emphasized the need for regionally connected, integrated, and trauma-informed approaches to addressing it.
The study visit resulted in the establishment of new partnerships, a deeper understanding of institutional and societal barriers to addressing the issue of children born of war in the Kosovo context, and the identification of concrete opportunities for future joint projects in the fields of art, education, and advocacy. As one of the first tangible outcomes, the joint organization of an event with the organization pro Peace (formerly ZFD) in Sarajevo was confirmed, to mark International Human Rights Day in December 2025.
The Association Forgotten Children of War continues to build regional and international connections with the aim of strengthening a shared voice and creating sustainable support mechanisms for children born of war.
