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War and the media – a simultaneous major change
No full textThis paper will address the way the media reports on wars, tragedies, and other events with broad, global dimensions. In the early days of what we know as media and public communication, war chroniclers were part of the armies, close to the battles. They kept records and reported on the flow of victims. As technology developed, armies became more sophisticated, wars changed – and so did the media and the way they reported. In the modern era of wars and media, the Kosovo War (1998-1999) is known as the first internet war. But how much did wars change and how much did the media change the forms of reporting? The change is more than noticeable. The war in Ukraine, the wars in the Middle East, the actions against criminal drug trafficking groups, and even major natural disasters, revealed a completely new war-media-public relationship. The live broadcast of a terrorist act in Australia, where the whole world saw how a man with a camera in his hat was killing people, changed this relationship forever. Technology has made wars never the same again. But, the ways of reporting from the war are completely different – live
Amending the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is a necessity to avoid multiple Institutional crises: a Challenging Future for Constitutional Reform
No full textThis paper addresses the constitutional framework that causes pollical crises and blockades in the formation of institutions in the Republic of Kosovo. Constitutional and electoral democracy in Kosovo determine pollical (ethnic and gender) inclusiveness in the establishment and functioning of Institutions. However, some constitutional norms (Articles 67,86, and 96) are often used as blocking mechanisms in the formation of Institution, despite the clarity and Interpretation of these norms by the Constitutional Court. The purpose of the paper is to identify the causes that generate political crises and blockades in the formation of institutions following the electoral process and beyond. Furthermore, it aims to propose ways to prevent such political and institutional crises through immediate reform of constitutional provisions. The methodology of the study is mixed, applying the method of legal analysis of constitutional norms, examining cases of Constitutional Court judgments, Assembly transcripts, and their comparison, as well as using secondary sources. The research findings indicate the urgent need for constitutional reform to facilitate the formation of institutions. Constitutional changes are challenging and require the achievement of broad political consensus between the Albanian representative majority and the minority representatives in the Assembly. In addition, fostering a culture of consensus in decisionmaking should serve as the guiding principle for resolving political crises and implementing institutional reform, as well as for promoting respect for and implementation of constitutional rules
Reviewing the Administrative Procedures from a Digital Transformation Approach
No full textState administrative institutions bear the responsibility not only for the exercise of public authority but also for the provision of services to the citizens of a given country. This fundamental function is carried out by administrative institutions at both the local and central levels through a multitude of processes embedded within the formal framework of administrative law, more specifically within administrative procedure. In this sense, the state administration, through a series of closely interrelated procedural actions, seeks to address the needs and legal interests of citizens. In pursuit of greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services, significant efforts have been undertaken over the past decades toward the digitalization of administrative procedures. In many contexts, this process has yielded notable achievements in providing faster, cheaper, and more transparent services for citizens. However, countries in transition continue to face numerous challenges in ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of administrative procedures, as well as major shortcomings in legal and structural infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to examine the capacity of administrative institutions in Kosovo to integrate technological advancements for the purpose of improving the quality of service delivery and addressing the legal interests of citizens. Using legal-dogmatic, analytical, and qualitative methods, the research has identified substantial gaps in the application of electronic governance to the protection and fulfillment of citizens’ rights and legal interests in Kosovo
From University to Classroom: Preparing Future Music Teachers for Democratic and Inclusive Pedagogies in Kosovo
No full textThe preparation of future music teachers is a cornerstone of building equitable, participatory, and inclusive education systems. In post-conflict societies such as Kosovo, music teacher education plays a pivotal role in shaping how democratic values and cultural diversity are enacted in classrooms. While curricular reforms have aimed to align with European standards, challenges remain in ensuring that teacher training programs address the realities of diverse and evolving classrooms. This paper examines the current state of music teacher education in Kosovo, focusing on how university-level programs prepare student teachers to implement democratic and inclusive pedagogies. The study draws on my experience as a university lecturer and mentor to preservice music teachers, as well as on data collected from curriculum reviews, interviews with faculty, and surveys with student teachers. Findings highlight a disconnect between the theoretical emphasis on democratic ideals and the practical realities faced by future teachers. While courses reference participation, diversity, and inclusion, there is limited space for experiential learning, reflection, and practice-based approaches that prepare teachers to navigate complex social dynamics. Moreover, institutional constraints, such as rigid curricula and limited collaboration with schools, further hinder the development of innovative pedagogies. The paper proposes a model for strengthening teacher education through participatory methods, including peer teaching, co-design of lessons with students, and community-based practicum experiences. By reimagining the role of teacher educators as facilitators rather than transmitters of knowledge, music teacher education can foster a generation of educators who are prepared to build inclusive, democratic classrooms. Implications for policy, curriculum development, and international collaboration are discussed, offering pathways for transforming teacher education to meet the needs of Kosovo’s diverse student population and to contribute to broader societal cohesion
The Role of Education in Preventing Violent Extremism
No full textThe bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, UK, in 1984 by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was designed to kill then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet. Five people were killed and over 30 injured in the bombing however the IRA’s primary target, Thatcher, was unharmed. Following the bombing an IRA press release claiming responsibility deemed the operation a semi-failure adding Today we were unlucky, but remember we only have to be lucky once - you will have to be lucky always. The same can be said of education in preventing violent extremism. One individual slipping through the net could have extreme consequences, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of lives. In the ‘War against Terror’ focus is on surveillance, intelligence, weaponry, technology, staff and the elimination of threats. Education on preventing violent extremism holds but a sliver of the budget. Why is this? Perhaps governments and national security agencies accept that radicalization cannot be eradicated and the pragmatic and best use of resources is countering the threat rather than a utopian dream to completely eradicate violent extremism.Some programmes such as the United Kingdom ‘CONTEST’ and ‘PREVENT’ have claimed victories. Around 7,000 people per year in the UK are referred for initial assessment. In around 65% of cases, it is decided other services such as mental health, education, policing, local authorities and others are better placed to support these individuals. However, according to human rights groups such as ‘Liberty’ and Amnesty International this programme requires teachers, doctors, social workers and others to monitor/report people suspected vulnerable to extremism. Throughout time terrorist groups have conducted their own and arguably successful ‘education’ campaigns. Mass media and the internet globalized the messages. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) produced the online magazine ‘Inspire’. The Summer 2010 issue contained an article How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom , advising how to make a pressure cooker bomb using common materials. The Boston Marathon bombing of 15 April 2015 carried out unilaterally by the Tsarnaev brothers followed the article’s bomb-making instructions. No publicly available source specifies an amount of the anti-terrorism budget allocated solely to education-focused programs such as Prevent-based educational interventions. While the Prevent strategy involves education and intervention efforts, its funding is nested within broader counter-terrorism and social intervention budgets, not separately reported. Is education the Cinderella of preventing violent extremism and being overlooked
Consuming more of the package instead of the product content
No full textThe circular economy, as an ongoing activity in response to climate change, is no longer an economic alternative but an indispensable adaptation. While the dynamic, exploding volume of research and commitment to adaptation is making a greater impact in some areas and elsewhere less so, the expected progress to narrow the gap between production and recycling in less developed countries is being slowed down by consumer behavior and consumption patterns. Although the post-consumption phase of waste for recycling is a massive activity of interest and undertaking, the challenge is to what extent production, consumption, waste, and recycling can increase the share of the circular economy. In addressing this question, apart from a review, we use a survey of 125 consumers of beverages in Kosovo to investigate how a revolution in packaging design and smaller sizes by businesses is increasingly attracting consumers to consume less product volume, and producing more waste that does not find its way to recycling. The implication of this finding runs counter to the demand for increasing the share of the circular economy. With consumer behavior and preferences growing towards the design of smaller-sized packaging and higher average prices, the prospect of businesses maintaining a competitive edge in the market remains in an innovative approach to costeffective packaging and its post-consumption phase. Yet, the final decision rests with consumers who have to grow in awareness of their individual actions for the circular economy as a contribution to adaptation to the dynamic impacts of climate change
Domestic Violence and the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Invisible Trauma (2010–2025)
No full textDomestic violence is a wound that does not bleed, yet it powerfully erodes the foundations of children’s mental and emotional development - often in silence, before the closed eyes of adults. This study presents a detailed meta-analysis of 103 international peerreviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025, systematically examining the association between various forms of family violence (physical, psychological, sexual, and neglect) and mental health disorders among children and adolescents. The findings show a robust and consistent statistical link between exposure to domestic violence and the emergence of PTSD, depression, conduct problems, and social hypersensitivity. Psychological violence appears particularly harmful, with a marked increase in internalizing symptoms, while sexual violence and neglect leave deep and lasting traces on emotional and neurocognitive development. Analyses further indicate that social support, early therapeutic intervention, and secure relationships with adults serve as significant protective factors that can meaningfully mitigate the traumatic effects of violence. This paper is not merely a collation of statistics - it confronts a reality too often hidden behind household doors. It calls on mental-health professionals, policymakers, and civil society to move beyond theoretical concern and to act decisively to identify, protect, and heal children who are harmed while growing up in violent environments
Self-efficacy and academic performance of students
No full textThis study examines the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance in students, analyzing differences according to socio-demographic factors such as gender and residence. Participants (N = 115) of this study are students from different university programs in Kosovo. A quantitative method was used, with two instruments: the General SelfEfficacy Scale (GSE) and the Academic Performance Scale. The results show a positive and significant correlation between self-efficacy and academic performance. Furthermore, based on the results, males have higher self-efficacy, while students from rural areas have shown higher levels in both variables. The findings suggest the development of programs that strengthen selfefficacy and the expansion of research with larger samples
Consanguinity and Rare Genetic Disorders: Epidemiology, Case Studies, and Clinical Implications
No full textConsanguinity, defined as reproductive unions between closely related individuals, considerably increases the probability of offspring inheriting rare autosomal recessive (AR) disorders. This review explores the effects of consanguinity on the incidence, complexity, and spectrum of inherited diseases, emphasizing rare genetic syndromes within diverse populations. Consanguinity rates vary significantly by region, directly influencing the prevalence of founder mutations and specific AR diseases. In-depth literature review and case analyses—including Joubert syndrome, mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), epidermolysis bullosa (EB), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)—underscore the increased phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity within affected groups, often resulting in blended or unusually severe disease manifestations. Recent molecular techniques, particularly next-generation sequencing, have advanced diagnosis, enabling precise management and carrier screening. The review discusses the multifaceted role of consanguinity, the need for culturally sensitive reproductive education, and novel diagnostic/therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, reducing the global burden of rare inherited disease requires coordinated public health action and deeper integration of genetic tools
Quantum-Enhanced Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making for Real Estate Investment Prioritization in Prishtina
No full textThis study-in-progress proposes a quantum-based multi-criteria group decisionmaking (MCGDM) framework for prioritizing real estate investment (REI) opportunities in Prishtina, Kosovo—a transitional urban market marked by uncertainty, conflicting stakeholder priorities, and limited data reliability. Drawing from recent developments in Pythagorean linguistic numbers (PLNs), we adapt a quantum scenario-based Bayesian network (QSBN) and integrate belief entropy to model the uncertainty and subjectivity in stakeholder judgments. The framework enables experts (e.g., investors, urban planners, appraisers) to express varying confidence levels and conflicting evaluations in REI decisions. A customized version of the MULTIMOORA method will be employed to consolidate investment alternatives and compute a probabilistic ranking of locations and strategies under uncertainty. Preliminary stakeholder interviews and simulation design are underway. The research aims to contribute a contextsensitive decision-support system that addresses both cognitive ambiguity and socio-economic complexity in Prishtina’s evolving real estate landscape. Future work will refine the criteria set and test the model through a pilot evaluation of strategic investment zones