Cleaning up Kosovo as a model for civic engagement

On the occasion of this year’s World Clean Up Day, more than 140 OSCE Mission members helped tidy up public spaces throughout Kosovo, as part of the ‘Let’s Do It Kosovo!’ action on 24 May 2013.

“I am happy we could contribute to this unique and a large-scale initiative,” said Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, who heads the OSCE Mission. “Tens of thousands of volunteers collecting some 20,000 tons of waste are the best illustration of civic responsibility in action.”

Ambassador Schlumberger joined volunteers from local non-governmental organizations, the OSCE Mission and senior government, municipal and religious representatives in cleaning up the Serbian Orthodox Cemetery and multi-ethnic Neighbourhood 29 in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje and the Arberia/Dragodan neighbourhood in Prishtinë/Priština.

“I am also pleased that the organizer of the initiative, the NGO Liria, has made this an inclusive exercise that is to the benefit of all communities,” Ambassador Schlumberger said. “I call on central and local level institutions to do more to ensure that public and communal services are provided equally to all.”

‘Let’s Do It Kosovo!’ is part of the global ‘Let’s Do It World!’ movement, which organizes similar clean-up activities every year on World Clean Up Day since 2008.