Rector Hajrizi at the International Youth Peace Summit, Highlights the Power of Education and Science in Building Peace

05/10/2026

UBT Rector Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi participated in the panel “The Making of a Peacebuilder – Resilience, Hope and Education”, as part of the Balkan International Youth Peace Summit 2026, organized by YSP Balkan.

Speaking about his personal experience, Rector Hajrizi emphasized that for a generation that had experienced war, uncertainty, and a lack of freedom, the end of the war and the achievement of freedom did not mark the end of the journey, but rather the beginning of a new responsibility: building institutions and creating the foundations upon which a new society could develop.

In this journey, he particularly highlighted the importance of building an education system, from schools and educational institutions to universities, scientific research, and innovation capacities. According to him, peace and freedom acquire their full meaning when they are transformed into opportunities to build, develop, and invest in future generations.

Connecting this process with his own engagement over the years, Rector Hajrizi spoke about his journey from being a young person who experienced a difficult period in Kosovo to becoming engaged in the establishment and development of higher education institutions and the creation of new opportunities for young people.

He emphasized that peacebuilding does not end with the conclusion of a conflict, but continues through the daily efforts to establish sustainable institutions, quality education, knowledge, science, innovation, and opportunities for young people.

In this context, Rector Hajrizi also highlighted UBT’s journey as part of this commitment, viewing education as one of the key instruments for transforming a society that has gone through difficult periods. According to him, universities should not only prepare young professionals, but also develop citizens who are capable of thinking critically, collaborating with others, and contributing to the development of society.

The summit brought together experts, representatives of international organizations, and young people from different countries, creating a space for discussion on experiences of peacebuilding, resilience, hope, education, and the role of the new generation in creating more sustainable and peaceful societies.