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UNION objectives
• Helping IDP from Kosovo & Metohia in the process of return
to their homes,
• Helping IDP from Kosovo & Metohia in sustainable return to their
homes,
• Conducting organized transportation action for IDP and their possessions
during their return,
• Assisting IDP in the fields of their social, health, pension and other
acquired rights, as well as protect them, and all in cooperation with
relevant organizations
• Assisting IDP in the process of their integration in local communities
at the places of their present residence,
• Conducting an information campaign about the realization possibilities
for legal, humanitarian and any other aid,
• Organizing, collecting, and distributing of humanitarian aid for IDP,
• Supporting IDP human rights protection, the democratization process
and development of civil society in the region,
• Establishing cooperation between authorities and international, humanitarian
and specialized institutions in FRYugoslavia and the region in helping
IDP.
The founding of the UNION came as a logical continuation of the project
“EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS AMONG IDP ASSOCIATIONS”.
Interesting fact is that in the time before this project’s realization,
the communication among IDP associations was almost non-existent, not
to mention the lack of any cooperation.
The first step in establishing this cooperation was to collect and analyze
data about quantitative and qualitative parameters characterizing IDP
associations.
The second was to form an information exchange system, which is used
for exchanging relevant information about associations and their work
among themselves, as well as helping these associations in finding donors
and projects’ proposal preparation.
Based on evaluation of gathered indicators of the project mentioned
above, we concluded that there was a need for bringing the cooperation
of the most qualified organizations to a higher level than just information
exchange, that is to a level of working together on IDP problems.
UNION started from the fact that there can be no extensive help in resolving
complex IDP problems unless there is a close cooperation among associations
dealing with these problems.
The background of the problems UNION deals with is very complex, but
consequences of these problems can be singled out and they are also
problems that IDP meets.
For resolving this second group of problems it is necessary to recognize
them and define them in relation to spatial and temporal coordinates.
Our work so far led us to the fact that IDP problems and the approach
to solving them can be classified in two categories:
1. Regional – those that solve problems that majority of IDP deal with
and have
to do with the entire FRY territory
2. Local - those that solve problems that minority of IDP deal with
and have to
do with the smaller, local areas where the displaced live
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In regard to temporal coordinates, approaches can be classified as:
1. Short-term – for resolving every day problems IDP have
2. Long-term – for resolving problems of final IDP status (see page 1.)
(This should be taken relatively, as it depends on political will and
promptness of international community in providing solutions for Kosovo
and Metohia pressing problems that will direct the faith of IDP towards
return or integration)
So far, work of most IDP associations could be characterized as short-term
solving of local IDP problems.
Most of these association were formed as associations of IDP who lived
together in the same part of Kosovo and Metohia before they were displaced,
so in most cases their very name expresses the idea of connecting people
from the same area (e.g. associations of people from Prizren, Pec, Orahovac,
etc.).
Thus formed associations mostly did not come to see that, besides the
approach to solving local problems, an approach to solving regional problems
that concern all IDP (200.000 – 250.000 according to diverse data) must
be formed also.
According to UNMIK office for return and minorities data, most of IDP
live in Serbia without Kosovo and Metohia, so it is understandable why
this area has the largest number of associations dealing with IDP problems.
SOURCE:
UNMIK strategy for sustainable return 2003
This is understandable given that there was a complete lack of even basic
communication among associations; therefore no one even contemplated a
more regional approach to solving problems.
That part of IDP problem, whose solution could have a strong impact on
final status of Kosovo and Metohia itself, is usually left to political
structures to solve. However, a part of these problems could be solved
far more efficiently through the work of NGO sector associations.
Based on the estimate that regional problems should be solved through
a global approach, and local problems with local approach, the UNION was
formed.
Through joint work of its members, UNION should be able to provide solutions
for regional IDP problems, without violating in the process the independent
future work of its members in resolving local problems on the territory
they cover.
UNION work strategy is based on a unique approach to problems that trouble
the majority of IDP. With its openness for accepting new members, the
UNION demonstrates its fundamental purpose of existence – joint resolving
of common problems!
UNION is also opened for cooperation with all relevant institutions that
deal with IDP problems and do not belong to the NGO sector.
UNION has given contribution to the preparation of the return or integration
process for the IDP thru it members work on the fields of education, GO
and SEE visit and thru other UNION activities aimed on solving displaced
status of IDP.
Working together with UNHCR and IOCC on information dissemination issues
and centralization of data and information related to the IDP, on cross
boundary information exchange or taking a part with UNHCR and UNMIK ORC
on involving of IDP association in process of evaluation and preparation
procedures and strategy for the sustainable return to Kosovo and Metohia,
UNION tries to give a constructive contribution to the final solution
of IDP problems.
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