Kosovar Stability Initiative, Kosovo (IKS)
Website: www.iksweb.org/
The Kosovar Stability Initiative (Iniciativa Kosovare Për Stabilitet, IKS) is an independent, not-for-profit think tank focusing on empirical research and analysis of socio-economic developments in Kosovo. Founded in 2004, IKS offers innovative and policy-relevant research with the aim of initiating debates on issues of importance for Kosovo’s future.
Florina Duli-Sefaj joined Iniciativa Kosovare per Stabilitet (IKS) as an Executive Director in April 2012, bringing more than two decade’s diverse experience in diverse fields. She started her career in 1989 as a teacher at Stevan Mokranjac High school in Prishtina and as a Lecturer at the University of Prishtina. She has provided strategic and policy advice to the UN, working on International Development, Human Rights, Emergency Planning and Management, Education and Culture. In her DFID role, Florina engaged in policy dialogue with the Government in sectors such as Public Administration and Rule of Law. In her role as a political advisor to the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Florina advised on Health, Social Welfare, Youth and Culture, Education Sectors and Cross cutting issues such as Gender and Human Rights. Florina was involved directly in the establishment of the Kosovo Parliament and has served as a political adviser to the Kosovo's first Speaker of the Parliament. Florina joined the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Kosovo and advised on benchmarking of Kosovo's performance. During this period Florina also served as a consultant for the World Bank/DFID team engaged in developing the Medium-Term Protection Strategy for Kosovo. Between 1997-2000 Florina was a regional representative for Save the Children UK (based in Kosovo) and later on Save the Children Alliance in Kosovo. For her engagement during the Refugee situation she received a Gallantry Award from Anne, her Royal Princess UK. Over 2001-2007 she managed Klubi Republikan, a debate Club that she had co-founded with Prof. Michael Daxner (Free Berlin University), Tom Koenigs (German Bundestag), Dukagjin Gorani (PM Security Advisor) etc. From 1994 to 1997 Florina was a program and administration coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres in Kosovo and a member of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms that was the first registered NGO in post communist Kosovo (in 1990). Florina has over the 90ies edited three books (A collection of stories and two poem collections). She has contributed to the following reports: Social Protection Strategy for Kosovo 2001 – 2004, ECD Guidelines for Emergencies in the Balkans – Save the Children -1999, Rising Up- Urgent action Fund publication for Women Human Rights – 2005. She was awarded an integrated MA degree in English language and Literature from University of Kosova in 86, and is currently undertaking a second MA in Policies, Management and Government at York University, UK.
Brikena Hoxha joined IKS team on May 2009. She graduated in Law, Political Science and diplomacy at the University for Business and Technology in Pristina. Prior to joining IKS, Brikena has volunteered in the children's village SOS-kinderdorf, for 4 years.
Brikena Meha joined the IKS team in April 2013. She graduated from the American University in Kosovo (AUK), double majoring in Public Policy and Management, with minor on International Relations. During her studies she has worked in the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pristina, German Federal Organization (GIZ), as well she has been a member of Charity Club in AUK where she supported children affected with Down Syndrome and Autism. In addition, she has attended lectures in the Faculty of Economics in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Faculty of Economics in Pristina. She has attended the Harvard National Model United Nations 2013 in Boston.
Edona Krasniqijoined IKS team in March 2013. She has 5 years of combined experience in academic, non-governmental, and private institutions. Part of this experience includes her three years involvement as head of academic services at the American University in Kosovo. Edona pursued a M.Sc. degree in Economics at the University of Freiburg specializing in economics and politics. Apart from her experience in department management, she has been involved in managing and coordinating various projects and has an interest in researching on various topics in the field of social sciences.
