Youth Initiative for Human Rights - Kosovo

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Youth Initiative for Human Rights was initially established as a regional non-governmental organization in 2003, which one year later transformed into a regional network of YIHR in Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. For over a decade, YIHR KS has successfully worked in protecting and promoting human rights and democratic values not only in Kosovo but also in the region. Specifically, YIHR KS has focused in the process of dealing with the past, protection of human rights, empowering rule of law and the role of youth at the local and regional level. As the role and impact of YIHR KS is increasing and the context is changing continuously, the core mission of the YIHR remains relevant to-date, regardless of the significant success that has been achieved. With a future-oriented perspective, YIHR KS is dedicated to continue working towards social and institutional development. YIHR KS aims to continue fulfilling the mission of protecting and advocating for human rights, dealing with the past, rule of law and civic values, which are the core foundations of a free, responsible and progressive society.

YIHR KS work is structured into three programs:
- Human Rights and Rule of Law Program
- Youth Empowerment Program
- Dealing with the Past Program

Vision of YIHR KS: A free, equal and just society where all people can live up to realize their potential.

Mission of YIHR KS: Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS) promotes, protects and advocates for human rights, dealing with the past, rule of law and civic values as the core foundations of a free, responsible and progressive society.

Objectives of YIHR KS:
- Ensuring respect for human rights, democratic values and rule of law.
- Empowering youth and activism for human rights.
- Creating and further sustaining platforms for dealing with the past in Kosovo as well as in the region.

Our mission is to protect and ensure respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, and equality, through effective rule of law. We seek to fulfill our mission through ensuring equal treatment, equal opportunities, non-discrimination, providing learning opportunities, triggering socio-educational and professional development, through the non-profit sector.

YIHR KS has more than 10 years of experience working to promote, defend human rights and democratic values, and also on empowering youth. We specifically focus on promoting human rights through education, activism and local and regional networking among young people, advocating for integration of human rights education in the upper secondary level of education, educating young people about dealing with the past and transitional justice through different activities (arts, workshops, street actions, oral history, visiting programs), supporting institutions to provide justice and protection for human rights.