Meeting KWN, and My First UN Experience...

Today was my first day interning with the Kosova Women's Network. I met up with them at the Hotel Prishtina where they were holding a member meeting. I arrived towards the end, and sat in with a translator to hear about the two topics of the meeting: economic empowerment and women's health. I first met the Executive Director Igballe Rogova (Igo) when she had me introduce myself to the members. Later on I met the rest of the team- Nicole, Zana, and Besa, who were all extremely welcoming.

Back at the office I had the privilege of meeting Marta Drury, a 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, former Balkans adviser for the Global Fund for Women, Heart and Health Fund Founder, and generally awesome, awesome lady! She was visiting a good friend of hers (my boss!) and would be in and out of the office for the next few days.

I had mentioned to Igo and Nicole my interest in UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security prior to arriving in Kosovo, and today Igo told me about her plan for me over the next few months - to help her write a book to express the "human side" 1325, a comical collection of stories of people's actual experiences with implementation (or lack thereof). I can't wait to get started.

At the end of the day I had to get to a meeting at the UN UNMIK Headquarters with my classmates for an informal interview with Jolyon Naegele, the Political Director of UNMIK. He led a somewhat pessimistic discussion about the frustrating relationship between Belgrade and Kosovo, questioning whether or not there is good will on both sides, and left off on the note "don't expect big things".

Just strikes me as odd...no?

BUT the thing I was more interested in inside this UN compound, were the odd posters hanging on each of the floors we passed, reminding viewers of what I think should be common sense for UN employees, such as "Exchanging money, goods, or employment for sex is prohibited". They were everywhere, and some even framed. Also, I'm not sure how to respond to the little surprises I found in the bathroom (see below), whether it's hysterical or demented, either way an eye opening experience...

Framed reminder to some of the biggest culprits.

Their most intense acronym yet ("you need us")! Found in UN compound bathroom.