Nation Building? It Worked in Kosovo

Can nation building ever work? Well, it did in Kosovo. Born in war, divided by religious, ethnic and historical differences, Kosovo looked to be another small country doomed to violence and failure. Dr. Vjosa Osmani, a winner of the Sheth International Young Alumni Achievement Award* at the University of Pittsburgh and a Member of Kosovo’s Parliament, participated in the negotiations over Kosovo’s final status, made preparations for Kosovo’s 2008 Declaration of Independence, helped draft the country’s Constitution, and promoted Kosovo’s recognition as an independent nation by the international community. As the US struggles with helping nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq become self-sustaining nations where the rule of law prevails, what lessons from Kosovo can be applied elsewhere?

Dr. Osmani is serving her second term as a member of Kosovo’s parliament. Kosovo, formerly part of Serbia, became independent in 2008.