Dear partners, associates, supporters and friends of KCSS, On behalf of the institution I represent, please allow me to make a note on the occasion of 5 years of anniversary of Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), a jubilee that embraces numerous activities and accomplishments.
KCSS was established on 17 April 2008 as the first institute (think tank) of its kind in Kosovo, which aims to research, monitor, supervise and report institutional and policy-making challenges within the security sector. The idea of its establishment is closely related to the new circumstances created in the independent Kosovo which resulted in the establishment of the new security architecture. This occasion not only increased the need to establish accountability within the already established security institutions in Kosovo, but also created the circumstances for the involvement of other non-institutional actors, including the civil society, for supervising the overall performance of the security sector. Therefore, the aim of the founders of KCSS was to contribute to the development of this sector within the conditions of democratic governance and oversight of the security sector.
During this period, KCSS has experienced a rapid and extensive development. Nowadays, this institution carries out its activity by combining a variety of methods and activities that aim to better cover the developments in the security sector, ranging from: the development of various quantitative and qualitative research; monitoring the performance of the security institutions; advocating different policy-making; organizing a number of conferences, seminars and deliver platforms for capacity building and mentoring; as well as providing alternative expertise on various issues related to the security sector. In specific, we have covered topics related to: the rule of law; governance of security sector; assessment of threats and risks; the supervision of the performance of security institutions; international police and judicial cooperation; protection of privacy; institutional transparency; access to classified information; as well as social and economic security. Therefore, within this period of five years, KCSS has successfully managed to cover almost all security-related issues in the country, by launching more than 30 publications, all these in a form of advocacy and scientific information, sorted as follows:
• 5 books (2 KCSS Books and 3 Books where KCSS has contributed with chapters for Kosovo);
• 9 reports (4 KCSS Reports and 5 Reports with KCSS contribution);
• 7 occasional studies
All publications have covered and filled the gap of research in this field and have served as a point of reference for a wide local and international audience, including also the relevant governmental actors, international missions, universities, civil society organizations and the media. Our publications have been professionally assessed and quoted as well as have been referred to from different stakeholders in this area.
Furthermore, we grasped our capacities to transfer the required information and knowledge in this sector to the relevant groups and in particular to journalists and new researchers. We have actively been providing independent opinions in local and international media who have served a wider public interested in this field. Our work is known in various academic and professional networks that resulted in numerous invitations for sharing our experiences and analysis in the field of security sector reform.
Since 2011, KCSS has expanded the covering area in the foreign policy and justice. We have organized various visits abroad and, above all, we have joined two significant regional consortiums for security sector reform as well as a European platform for building peace with headquarters in Brussels. Our results in these two new dimensions are measurable and extremely revealing.
Within these five years, we have diversified cooperation with various regional and international partners which resulted in excellent collaboration through joint projects and numerous publications.
The dynamics during the first five years of KCSS existence are a great base and motivation for its staff to continue and intensify the qualitative and professional research as well as productive cooperation with other stakeholders of this field. The experience gained will keep us independent on our positions and opinions but staying committed to serving as a valuable alternative to the limited sources and institutions in the Kosovo’s security sector.
I take the opportunity to thank all the individuals who have contributed to the development of the center since its establishment. The contribution of each one of you has been a significant and valuable asset in the overall development and performance of KCSS and to the general research capacities in Kosovo. In particular, I kindly thank all the donors and partners who have played a major role in the establishment and consolidation of our centre.
We hope and expect for a continuous joined cooperation with all partners, friends and those interested in increasing the quality of research capacities of KCSS and of our society in general.
Sincerely,
Florian Qehaja
