One could sense contentment of both sides, not only because the meeting took place but also because it has shown that a dialog is not only needed, but also possible.

Existence of dialogs of tolerance in public and directing public attention to the attempts of creation of different kinds of cooperation, after years of conflicts, may positively influence the social climate.

Dialog and joint work during those two days have shown that cooperation and connecting are possible in many fields and in resolving problems

I believe this conference has been a very positive experience for all participants from Kosovo in emotional terms as well as in terms of the constructiveness of the dialogue and the its outcome.

Therefore we say that this the actual period of development of civic initiatives, associations of citizens who sought ways of democratization and respect for human beings.

Palic and Subotica, places where activities within the scope of your meeting take place, are the right places for agreements turned to peace and revival of interethnic trust in Kosovo. I am saying this because we, here in the north of Backa, even during the hardest times while Milosevic ruled, succeeded in keeping good interethnic relations and mutual trust atmosphere.

After three years of war it is not exactly easy to participate in projects like this. However, life goes on and we will try to give our contribution to easing and removal of the consequences of everything that happened in Kosovo in those times. In this process, cooperation of NGOs from Serbia is precious and that is why NGO “Mother Theresa” supports this project and takes part in it as a partner together with the Center for Regionalism and OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

There is still a number of obstacles standing on the way to normalization of the situation and opening communication in Kosovo. Removing psychological barriers will be the hardest task, because traces of crimes which happened during the last years of the past century are still deep and will last long. It is upon us to tear down those psychological barriers and slowly bring people closer. Communication plays a very important role.

We are here to see each other, meet each other, and make this meeting only a first round of talks. When you come here and sit together, one cannot tell who is from Kosovo and who is from Serbia. In these few days you’ll see that there many normal people on both sides-Kosovo and Serbia-who never wanted the war or anything else that happened, who want to live a normal life, who want to cooperate. This story you will spread in Serbia and Kosovo.

It will be like throwing a stone into a lake, circles will start to spread, new people will be involved, new NGOs will be included in this cooperation. In this way we will contribute to normalization of situation and slowly start good communication and normal life in this region.

This is one of the most interesting seminars I’ve attended lately and therefore I’m very pleased to be given the chance to participate in it. This meeting and similar meetings I consider very important for the Balkan region for they prevent repetition of history.

I believe that initiators of these meetings have a very difficult task, because they have to deal with communities who still have fresh memory of war, hatred is still present (even enthused because of uncertain political solution of problems in Kosovo).

I am grateful for the warm hospitality which you offered us in beautiful Palic. I have attended many seminars and workshops, but, to be honest, none so relaxing and passing so quickly thanks to you as hosts. I hope next time we’ll be able to make more time to spend together.

Young people wish to meet each other, although fear still exists, which is understandable after these insane events. I believe that this meeting was a very successful step forward in the process of bringing closer young people of Kosovo, Serbia and Vojvodina.

I certainly bear nice memories from Palic. For three days I’ve spent there, I’ve learned a lot and my opinion on some matters is different now. In a new way we’ve made friends with different people from different areas.

The most important fact is that we, participants, stayed in permanent contact even after the meeting.

This experience I’ll convey to our partners as much as possible, to other youth organizations in Mitrovica and Kosovo.

Your hospitality was the best possible ever…thank You.

In today’s’ conditions, especially in the Balkan region where there is less and less quality in communication among men, every attempt of exchange of thoughts and experience is valuable. Information we received about each other, conclusions we’ve made to support the realization of the idea of cooperation and peace development and offer hope that open and creative dialog is possible.

Young people unburdened with politics, their reasonable approach and wish to create conditions for them and for future generations to feel safe in this region are the basis for overcoming of tensions. Emotions and awareness of belonging to the same historical and geographical environment which makes us dependable on each other are strengthened by events like this.

To hear how young people live, in what kind of cafés they go out, what cultural events they follow, what do they miss in: Kosovska Mitrovica, Pristina, Gnjilane, Gracanica, Novi Pazar, Zubin Potok, Kraljevo, Nis, how women are organized, what kind of problems they meet in their environment, what are the basic activities of NGOs in those places, these are the essential facts that lead to understanding. To understand the other and lessen the fear of unknown and different. These are the things and events for long remembrance.

During these two days in Palic we didn’t make friends but we made first contacts-just as the project is titled. We have already started thinking about cooperation and we’ve made first contacts and we are anxiously waiting for their response. We should organize at least one week seminars (non-violent communication, national issue, etc.) where during discussions we would get to know each other better, because we shouldn’t be afraid of normal young open minded people’s ability to agree and to spend good time. This seminar had one topic which You believe will never be a subject of confrontation-women rights. However I believe that any other topic would also be good, so in the sense of topics and duration of conference everything should be wider.

This session makes a huge step forward in creating links for further cooperation between two different regions. Presence of youth organizations enhanced the importance of the whole event, because future of NGO sector lies in their hands.

Concrete ideas about common projects were exchanged even during the breaks, which is an important indicator of continuation of cooperation and maintaining contacts.

All in all, the seminar has accomplished the main goal and through that promoted NGOs in Kosovo and Vojvodina and announced the end of long period of isolation.

I can say with certainty that I liked the seminar very much… This session is a good way to deal with the given situation, stereotypes were overcome and this wouldn’t be possible in classical type meetings.

When a group overcomes stereotypes, when they get to know each other better, a friendly atmosphere is created and it is easier to find the fields of common interest and practice cooperation.

It is also very important to have this event organized on the level of Youth organizations because it gives us a chance to create our future.

I was especially pleased to meet young people and exchange opinions on the present situation and NGO perspective in areas they live.

The violence of March 17-19 showed all of us that our collective activities so far have not been sufficient to create an atmosphere of moderation and progress within Kosovo.

Building dialogue between different communities is a very complex and responsible task. As in the past also in future we will engage civil society actors in fostering dialogue and co-operation between different ethnic groups in Kosovo and in the region for a sustainable Kosovo society and stabile region.

This project has proved that the dialogue and tolerance are possible.

By having the key organizations participate in this discussion, we will bring in the stakeholders to support dialogue and create a network for information exchange which might open up possibilities for regular communication and partnership

“Before the riots, we were very close to achieving something. We have to continue what we have started so we can save some elements of the foundation.”

“If we want to achieve better results, everyone has to put in their share,”

“As I said in Dubrovnik, if God wants us to look at the past he would put our eyes on the back.”

“We are not political, we are not going to discuss the issue of Kosovo’s status. We want to promote human, inter-ethnic and inter-personal communication.”

We will continue to promote dialogue in the belief that the majority of people in Kosovo reject violence and want to achieve a more tolerant, open and democratic society. We have suffered a setback, but there is no alternative to resuming dialogue and tolerance-building.

Most of them are living in the past or dreaming about the future, they do not live in present. We are incorporated part of Balkans, Europe and the World, that are going forward, and we are going backwards, there is a huge whole between us and the World. Let us see what NGOs we can cooperate with and let us live here and now. Only jointly and with better organization will we be able to tackle challenges and reach our common goal

This is a continuous dialogue which goes on irregardless of the developments on the ground, like the March riots. Meetings are very inspiring and the ambiance make one long for the next encounter. Discussions are focused and also pragmatically positive. The influence of the Civil Dialogue can hardly be overestimated.

The meeting held in Kosovo and Serbia with the participation of 50 NGO gave expression that even for more sensitive question we can make dialogue. Participants were very keen to arrange things considering both sides once and for all. I think that from actors of CD lots of outcomes will be performed by the dialogue initiatives.

I think the CD reached on his peak with two last meetings,I think we touched the most sensitive issues of our Societies.

The CD will be more productive in its continuity of meetings and conferences to involve all the ethnic groups and to enhance or enrich the conference contain by involving also the other categories of society such as. independent intelectuals, representatives from field of culture.I think all this will enable a broad range of dialogue between all etnicities.

Civic Dialogue is one of the first initiatives that fostered dialogue among communities that live in Kosovo and Serbia. My personal opinion is that the project enabled to bring closer and seek solutions for joined issues.

I feel proud that I am part of this important process of Civic Dialogue since the beginning.

The activity of Civic Dialogue meant for to much…The project has enabled to gain a new experience on finding the ways of involvement of youth of all communities regardless on its ethnicities.

Through this project we have enhanced the number of our participants. Now we have youth of all ethnicities in our organization.

The D/OPA compared the process to a forest, which was destroyed by the fire of the conflict. Now new trees started to grow and the first trees will provide shelter and help other trees to grow into a forest again. The establishment of the Civic Dialogue Council (CDC) demonstrates that the reconciliation is not such an unimaginable idea as some would think.

If today we establish good contacts and friendships among young people, there is realistic possibility that in future, some of these young people would become important part of social elite in Serbia and in Kosovo which opens a new space for cooperation and better understanding.

I can't change the world but I can change surrounding I live in. I think these kind of developments can have very positive influence because there are lots of people who don't know much about Albanians, they know only the worst things which they have heard from others. Therefore, I think we are ambassadors of peace and tolerance

We consider this kind of public and common acting in conflict zones as important and effective. Our experiences from Mitrovica showed us that is important actively to participate in the process, to connect people, motivate them, offer them an other option different from nationalistic-violent model as well as work on peer education throgu conversation, workshops and street actions.

I am very pleased to say that for the first time the Serb community has acknowledged publicly the achievements and need of similar projects.