This session will address topics related to real estate investments, what are the best practices for your real estate investment in the Kosovo market? How can you buy, finance your apartment or house in Kosovo? Who are the main real estate actors in Kosovo and other issues related to financing and investing in real estate.

Remittances constitute the largest inflow into the Albanian and Kosovar economy, leaving behind foreign direct investments and exports. They have been a stable and safe financial flow in the Albanian economy for years. Remittances are a source of income for more than 1/4 of Albanian families. However, most of this money goes for consumption and has a very low impact on social-economic development. Also, given the dynamics of the diaspora communities it is normal to expect a decrease in remittances over the years. Therefore, we need to think about the future of Remittances from the Albanian Diaspora perspective, as well as from the countries of origin.

**This Fireside chat will be held in English language and Albanian language translation will be provided.

How can we facilitate "brain gain" (knowledge and competence transfer) from the diaspora to the home countries?; Which opportunities does digitalisation provide for global engagement?; What is the potential, which measures need to be implemented and which types of circular migration programs need to be in place to enable short and long-term return to the countries of origin?; How can investors and businesses create more jobs and how can remittances be redirected into foreign direct investments for the most fragile sectors (education, agriculture, etc.)?; What active role should the diaspora, state institutions and international contributors play?

Albanian diaspora has often been the epicenter of initiatives that have had a major impact in Kosovo’s development. Diaspora capital flows have been, and are likely to remain, a determining factor, especially in regards to remittances in Kosovo to families for wellbeing, individual investment and development.
But what have we offered back?
For our Diaspora, studying at RIT Kosovo (American University in Kosovo) gives the comfort of being next to their extended family members in this part of the world, enjoy the culture of your ancestors, the fresh food, learn or reinforce the language and still receive an accredited and worldwide recognized US degree, awarded by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from New York. All this, for a fraction of the cost that would otherwise incur in United States.
This conference panel will feature an interactive discussion with the conference members, whether potential students, parents or genuine education enthusiasts about the benefits of getting an American Education and Degree in Kosovo.

The Migration and Diaspora Program is a program mandated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Since 1980, the program combines expertise in sustainable development and labor markets. The target groups of this program are members of the Albanian diaspora in Germany, who have completed a professional or academic education in Germany or in an OECD country and / or have accumulated work experience in the profession and want to engage in the short or long term. in Albania and Kosovo, in order to transfer knowledge for development.
In the framework of the Conference "Diaspora Speaks", the Panel "Utilization of potential - promotion of development" will enable the sharing of engagement experiences as Returned Professionals and Diaspora Experts, through the GIZ Global Program "Migration and Diaspora", in public institutions , academics and civil society organizations, contributing to socio-economic development in Albania and Kosovo.

Five minute inspirational presentations by people with creative ideas and success stories related to the diaspora. After all presentations, discussion and collaboration will be stimulated - speakers will be open to questions and answers from participants.

The Healthcare System needs support and know-how, in addition it needs additional funding invested across the departments. Covid19 has created a better picture of what needs to be done in a short and long term? In this context, knowing that a big number of healthcare professionals and practitioners are exiting the countries of origin, we want to navigate and understand what are some of the pros and cons of engaging diaspora professionals in this particular sector? Beyond their skillset on the field, can diaspora be an entry point for lessons learned from other countries, for new knowledge and networks? To what extent have we utilized the existing platforms of healthcare professionals with Albanian origin so far?

The Albanian language has played a very important role historically in maintaining the cultural and ethnic identity of Albanians in the diaspora. But, the evolution of the diaspora communities has left behind the learning and maintaining process of the Albanian language, that as a result of the growing exposure to foreign cultures of the second and third generations of Albanians abroad. Meanwhile, in home countries, the standard version of Albanian language is at risk and subject to changes due to weak education systems. Therefore, it is important to see the linguistic heritage and the importance of the Albanian language in preserving national identity at a time when globalization is melting identities. This panel comes at a date that marks the 112th anniversary of the Congress of the Manastir (1908), when the Alphabet of the Albanian Language was standardized.

Cultural activities in the diaspora are as old as the emigration and settlement of our compatriots in different parts of the world. While in many areas the diaspora has undergone significant transformation and development, cultural activities do not seem to have kept pace. Even in the 20th year of the 21st Century, most of the cultural activities revolve around national holidays, directed by cultural associations and with protagonists mainly of Albanian pop. Is this really all we can offer our compatriots in the diaspora? What needs to be changed to bring the genuine Albanian culture closer to the new generations that have been born and are growing up in the diaspora? What are the possibilities of culture and art as a bridge connecting the diaspora with the homeland and vice versa? What is the role of diaspora associations in promoting Albanian culture in their countries? Thankfully there are also very good examples of a completely different approach to organizing some cultural associations. What is the concept of these associations? What can associations learn from each other's experience? How much and how can our artists help? For these and other questions we will talk to representatives of associations and artists from the diaspora.

GERMIN experience shows that diaspora community members tend to be more enthusiastic and have a largely optimistic worldview. Moreover, they tend to view Kosovo and Albania as a “land of opportunity” – in their view, the lack of existing services and capacities means that there is room for individuals to create solutions from scratch. Such opportunities might be less prevalent in their communities, due to a certain level of social and economic development. Youth in vulnerable communities in Kosovo and Albania, on the other hand, often embrace a more pessimistic view of the world around them and are skeptical of their potential to change things for the better. Therefore, bringing them in a co-creation journey could be beneficial in terms of re-thinking the homeland, and ways in which we nurture and create a space where everyone thrives. How can youth play a role in this journey? Who is responsible for building a mechanism that provides formal and informal encounters between diaspora and home youth groups? What has been done so far? Are the youth interested to engage in the co-creation process? What are the challenges and opportunities young Albanians face across the globe?