Her unwavering dedication to the development of Kosovo and her zealous commitment to professionalism set her apart as a vital stakeholder in the never-ending quest for a better society. She is Ariana Qosaj and currently is a Senior Researcher/Programme Coordinator at Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED).

Ariana is part of KIPRED's senior management, a local think tank with a mandate for conducting research, producing policy analysis, briefs and other publications to assist Kosovo in building effective institutions in areas of rule of law, security, democratic governance and development. Ariana leads the programme on Rule of Law and Good Governance.

Policy development processes have been part of Ariana's activities for many years. "Through research, I think we can offer facts and information as well as ideas for better policy development," says Ariana.

Passion for the issues such as rule of law, women's rights and generally the belief that Kosovo will become one day a resilient state for its citizens by respecting full implementation of laws have driven Ariana to the work that she does. "Laws should not be crafted to fit needs of certain political elites but should serve the people," she says.

Ariana has had divergent working experiences and she likes to keep busy. She worked as the Executive Director of Community Development Fund, a World-Bank initiative in Kosovo, and a local NGO for social and capital infrastructure development. Prior to that she has also worked as Legal Adviser on Women and Children with international missions such as the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

For a year and a half, Ariana has been engaged as advisor on legal affairs to the President of Kosovo. Her first task was to initiate a working group that drafted the Presidents Regulation for Pardons. "I am very glad that the Regulation now is being used by the President's team to draft the new law on Pardons," she adds.

During her working time with the President, Ariana is proud of many things she achieved, and one of the things worth mentioning is also the practice developed not to undertake any political interference for appointment of judges and prosecutors. "I think often we are frustrated that Kosovo has not been developing as it should in the post-independent period. We have expected that with the youth and potential we have we could move quicker than we are moving now." says Qosaj. She feels that processes are going reverse and with the high set goals and expectations it is sometimes challenging.

Never ever give up! 

Ariana likes to continuously enhance her knowledge and challenges and push for new ideas forward. She doesn't believe that people should stay in their comfort zones but always be led by the motivation that highest professional performance is the aim. "We should not be led by opportunism as that will never bring about the necessary changes for the society we want to see and make better" says Ariana.

Currently, many challenges face Kosovo judiciary. Foremost without human and budgetary support the judiciary will struggle to offer justice. According to Ariana, Kosovo has so many issues in implementing rule of law, and it should have followed models of for example Washington DC whereas Congress and White House are always reminded by the proximity of the Supreme Court that someone is watching over them. "I would also add that a lot remains to be done and cannot be exhausted in few sentences. However, until we do not have a political elite that truly understands that politics should keep their hands of judiciary, we will struggle to have strong, independent and effective justice system," she states.

Ariana is also a mother of three daughters. Being a woman with a career and family is always a struggle. However, Qosaj says that one should utilize at best the support by their family, friends and own hard work to be able to balance everything. This said, there are many great women out there that do not often have the means nor support to do that and decide to stay home. "If one knows it will not be easy, that also means they should not give up quickly," she highlights.
She also has a message for young women out there, trying to pursue their dreams. "Never give up trying to achieve your dreams no matter what others say or do to discourage you. You are and can make a change by doing what you are passionate about."

Ariana Qosaj currently is a PHD Candidate at the Law Faculty 'Iustinianus Primus' in Skopje, and whatever she will be doing, she will continue to work and advocate for women's rights and rule of law issues.