We returned from our visit of Kosovo on the 6th February 2004. My head is full of thoughts, emotions and considerations. It is impossible not to contemplate continually what you have just seen and heard for three weeks from over 60 people.

War does not command respect. Human reaction to war commands respect. The warmth and hospitality of the people of Kosovo cannot be doubted; be it the Albanian; the Serb; or the Roma.

The enormity of what we heard; the wealth of experience that carried with it both anger and hate, but also the possibility of forgiveness and compassion cannot be understated. It is difficult to express what it feels like to see pictures of what is a distant war, and to then speak to peers who have lived through that war, with it raging outside their doors affecting their families. Their hope, positivity and optimism were all encouraging. Their anger, hatred and disillusionment were also enlightening. They have seen a spectrum of emotions in their short-lives that many of us will never see. They have lived through pain and suffering and have seen attempts at reconciliation and peace.

Young people in Kosovo may not always be sure where their future lays, but they have the ability and determination to make it work.

The depths of their experience will never be communicated through a report, documentary or photo. For that you must speak to them. Only their manner, persona and expression will help you to understand even half of the depth of their experience. It is this experience that affects their every decision; an experience that will always be diametrically different to the experience of those who have not lived through conflict. We can try our best to explain their feelings toward the world in a hope only to understand ourselves better and this appears to be our only recourse to justice towards ourselves.

It quickly becomes apparent that sympathy towards a group such as the young of Kosovo is both misplaced and dangerous. We can never offer sympathy because they are our teachers. We are not and never will be in a position superior to them. Their experience remains our guide; and we would be foolish not to see that.

Their warmth and affection is an invitation. Their experience is a discourse in living and understanding one’s self; their internal conflicts are no different to ours. Their future is our future. If we are to share a brilliant and bright future, we must learn to understand and be understood; to express and to appreciate. The young people of Kosovo taught me that even from despair rises hope. They may not be on the path to perfection in civil society, but their resilience is as impressive as it is mind-boggling and for that I can only thank them.

The effect of the future of post-conflict regions such as Kosovo, should be as important to us as it is to the youth of these regions; we must share an appropriate level of responsibility.

Ankur Shah

6th February 2004

Chris' Personal Thoughts...