19 March 2012, Pristina

EULEX has stepped up its youth outreach programme by visiting high schools and universities all over Kosovo.

During the last month, students in law, political science, customs and security studies have attended lectures given by EULEX experts in various fields. The 2012 youth outreach programme started with lectures in Pristina and Gracanica by the Deputy Head of Mission, an anti-corruption advisor, a criminal judge and two forensic doctors.

On Thursday 15 March EULEX forensic doctors Carmen Barbu and Daniela Schillaci visited the Medical School in Gracanica and told students about their experiences in crime scene investigations. Together with the students, they discussed the process of obtaining legal evidence by means of medical investigations.

On Wednesday 7 March, EULEX criminal judge Malcolm Simmons visited the American School of Kosova to discuss with students his experiences in the Kosovo judiciary. By using examples of criminal cases where he has been the presiding judge, he gave an overview of the achievements and challenges that the Kosovo judiciary is facing.

Later this week, a EULEX advisor to the KP Directorate of Organised Crime will give a lecture to law students at the FAMA University.

The youth outreach programme aims to contribute to the process of strengthening awareness of rule of law and encouraging young people to take an active interest in EULEX’s work and achievements as well as wider issues of justice, police and customs. The Head of the EULEX Press and Public Information Office, Nicholas Hawton explained the outreach strategy. “We want to reach out to the youth of Kosovo, because they are the decision-makers of the future. They will be the ones who will shape the rule of law in Kosovo in the years to come. By exchanging experiences with our experts we hope European best practices in rule of law can take root here,” said Hawton.

More information about the youth outreach programme can be found on the EULEX’s website (http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu), Facebook ((EULEX Kosovo (official), www.facebook.com/EULEX.KOSOVO) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/EULEXKosovo).