Vjollca Krasniqi is a sociologist. She is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Arts, University of Prishtina. She holds a Ph.D.from the University of Ljubljana, an M.Sc. degree in Gender, Development, and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and a BA degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Prishtina. Her research interests are gender, nation-building, human rights, post-war justice, and social policy. She has led and participated in numerous international research projects and published widely on these issues. Her recent publications include: Are we putting human rights into practice in Kosovo (co-author with Jane McPherson and Tatiana Villarreal-Otalora 2021); Skirts and Words: The Art of Acknowledgment, War Time Rape and Albanian Nationhood in Kosovo (co-author with Ivor Sokolić and Denisa Kostovicova 2020); Domestic Violence: Gendered State Rationality and Women’s Activism in Kosovo (2019); Migration and Human Rights in Kosovo: Perspectives for Social Work Education (2019).
Edis has been engaged in various local organizations. As a youth and an independent cultural activist, he has contributed to the inclusion of Roma children by organizing awareness raising campaigns, youth trainings, several day exhibitions on Roma cultural heritage, youth visits to local government institutions, etc. Edis Galushi is the author of first Roma children’s newspaper, children songs in Roma language, poetry and theatrical performances and of various articles about the social, economic and political life of the Roma community. From 2007-2014 he worked as a journalist at Radio Television of Kosovo. He received his BA diploma in English language and literature from both University of Pristina (Kosovo) and University of Vilnius (Lithuania), and has recently gained his MA degree at the University of Zagreb. Currently, he works as a teacher and translator for Albanian, English and Serbian languages.
Mirlinda Kusari Purrini, the Founder of Kosovo's inaugural Women's Business Association, SHE-ERA, since 1999, possesses an academic background in economics and a Masters Degree in International Management. She established a local NGO, SHE-ERA, dedicated to humanitarian and developmental initiatives, pioneering fieldwork to analyze women's and marginalized communities' situations and implement projects fostering women's education and employment. Her endeavors have benefited over 20,000 women and girls, with a membership exceeding 2000 across Kosovo, championing human rights and gender equality. With over 24 years of experience in Small and Medium Enterprises, Gender Equality, and Women's Economic Empowerment, Mirlinda actively contributes to her community, excelling in policymaking for women, the commercial and private sectors, and civil society. Her unique approach, characterized by unwavering dedication and creativity, inspires women in business and promotes activism for the development of Kosovo and beyond. Her extensive international engagements, awards, and recognition underscore her pivotal role as an ambassador for women's empowerment and economic growth, reinforcing her belief that strengthening women's roles is vital for a nation's development.
Claire has worked in the humanitarian field for the last 20 years. Much of her early career was spent working in mine action in several countries across South Asia and the Middle East. Claire joined Save the Children Australia in 2010 where she spent much of her time in the field, leading and supporting different humanitarian responses. She was also responsible for establishing the Humanitarian Technical Unit in SC Australia. Now in her 11th year with Save the Children, Claire is the Director of Humanitarian Business Transformation Team which looks at how we can be a leading force for addressing the most persistent and challenging problems impacting the humanitarian sector and is a Trustee for Merlin. Claire has recently completed a post graduate certificate in Coaching and Mentoring for Leadership in Organisations which she enjoys using in her day-to-day work and is a Coach for both colleagues within and outside of Save the Children.
Sarah is the Regional Finance Director for Save the Children; East and Southern Africa Region. She has extensive experience in managing Finance, Support Services, Risk management, Project and Change management. She has been with Save the Children since April 2014, initially as the Kenya country office Finance Director until March 2016 when she joined the ESA Regional Office as the Regional Head of Financial Planning & Analysis; providing strategic analysis and decision support to SLTs, capacity building to CO finance teams and developing in-country finance business partnering capabilities. She has previously acted as the SCI Regional Finance Director for WCA, ESA and LAC Regions. Sarah worked previously with VSF (Germany) as Regional Head of Finance & Accountant at the Delegation of the European Commission in Nairobi. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Kenyatta University, a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi and is a qualified Certified Public Accountant (Kenya).
Fleta Mujaj is a human-rights activist from Kosovo. Her main focus is the field of women right’s promotion and also the participation of youth in decision-making processes. Fleta’s interest on both, human rights and technology, drives her to believe that the world needs young people to be firstly kind and responsible humans for the present, then innovative, creative and aware for the future. Fleta is a student of Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Prishtina.
Verica has 45 years of work experience in education in different roles - professor in primary and secondary schools in Kosovo and Montenegro (27 years), school principal in Pristina (12 years) and director of the Directorate for Education in the Municipality of Gracanica (4 years). She has an extensive work experience in curriculum development, project management, training programs and capacity building for children and adults. She acquired a large number of certificates in the field of education, child protection and children's rights in local and international organizations including professional exam of education. She has been engaged in Training of teachers and school principals on the Project "Education Capacity Building" - GIZ, EU and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (6 years) She holds a degree from the Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics and is a licensed master trainer for capacity building for education.
With close to two decades of working in civil scoiety and business sector in Kosovo and internationally, Ariel Shaban is currently working as the Chief Business Development Officer at KIVO LLC, a highly innovative Kosovar-Dutch flexible plastic packaging producer, and a certifications and development consultant for REKS LLC, one of the best plastic recyclers in Europe, based in Kosovo. He is also engaged as a Kosovo country consultant for the European Endowment for Democracy, supporting breakthrough activism and media initiatives in Kosovo. Finally, he also engages in providing expertise for various civil society organisations in supporting their strategic development work in programming, fundraising and communucations.
In his free time, Mr. Shaban is a devoted husband and father of two sons, and whenever possible, writes scripts, directs and produces films, as an accomplished filmmaker.