Mission Kosovo

The negotiations on the final status of Kosovo, which remains a province of Serbia and Montenegro under international administration, are continually being postponed, whereas inter-ethnic tensions remain high. Serbs and Albanians still have diametrically opposing views on Kosovo's future status. The Serbs are unlikely to accept more than wide autonomy for the province, whereas the Albanians, who make up over 90% of the population, are demanding independence. Socially, unemployment has reached 60%, and 65% of the population live below the poverty line.

Listening to young people

Prishtina

Activities:

MdM's project is aimed at health prevention amongst young people aged between 13 and 24. It is run in partnership with Kosovo's Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry and a local NGO (Vita Kosova). Its aim is to set up a reception centre for young people which would be a place of welcoming, listening, information, consultation and orienta- tion. Direct (individual psychological support, integration in a treatment network, etc) and indirect assistance (training for youth organisations on the identified health topics, and on going training of the young people's listening point team) is given. Since 2004, the project has been sponsored by Salon-de-Provence's 'Espace Santé Jeunes'.

Outlook:

At the same time as supporting the ministry in its first year of financial commitment to the programme, MdM expects, on the one hand, to develop activities outside the centre and to promote the Dëgjo Rininë Centre and, on the other hand, to develop the local NGO Vita Kosova in its role as programme manager.

Improving oral health

Gllogovc

Activities:

MdM's project aims to improve oral health in this region through:

• installing two complete dental surgeries at the Gllogovc health centre;
• training local practitioners in new dental care techniques.

The project ended in 2005 with an information activity in neighbouring schools on oral hygiene.

Outlook:
Equivalent work in the Serb enclave of Hocë e Madne.