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Fulbright Visiting Scholar Focuses on Conflict Resolution

Edita Tahiri
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Edita Tahiri conducted research on The Impact of Political Neutrality of Humanitarian Intervention in the Nation-Building Process.
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Edita Tahiri, from Kosovo, conducted research at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies. Tahiri's research in the Department of International Organizations and Conflict Resolution focuses on the effects of neutral humanitarian intervention and nation building. Tahiri's vast political background and her personal experiences have shaped her opinions on Kosovo's uncertain international status, motivating her to perform her current research.

In 1989, after Serbia invaded Kosovo, Tahiri was inspired to enter politics to help her nation. Tahiri served as a member of Kosovo's Parliament from 1992-2000 and 2001-2004 and was Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1991-2000. She is founder of the Democratic Alternative of Kosovo; co-founder of The Democratic League of Kosovo, promoting the peaceful movement for independence of Kosovo; and was a chief negotiator for Kosovo at the Rambouillet Conference in 1999. Throughout her political career, Tahiri worked to resist occupation through nonviolence. She explained, "One strategy I used to achieve this was to elevate the affairs of the Balkan region to international interest."

Tahiri said that after the U.N. took over administration of Kosovo she shifted her focus from politics to academics as she questioned the effects of neutral humanitarian intervention. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar said, "Hope for Kosovo and the Balkan region will move toward a better future and put hostility behind." Tahiri explains that she is using an educational strategy to achieve this goal. She is currently a lecturer at the University of Pristina in her native Kosovo where she prepares students to become the future leaders of Kosovo.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.