Edita Tahiri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edita Tahiri
Minister of Dialogue
In office 9 December 2014 – 9 September 2017
President	Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister	Isa Mustafa
Preceded by	New Office
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo
In office 22 February 2011 – 9 December 2014
President	Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister	Isa Mustafa
Preceded by	Various
Succeeded by	Hashim Thaçi
Personal details
Born	(1956-07-29) 29 July 1956 (age 69) Prizren, Yugoslavia (now Prizren, Kosovo)
Political party	Democratic Alternative of Kosovo - ADK
Alma mater	Harvard University University of Pristina Johns Hopkins University SAIS University of Essex
Signature

Edita Tahiri was born on July 29, 1956. She is a very important leader who helped Kosovo become an independent country. She has held many big jobs in the government. These include being a deputy prime minister and a minister of foreign affairs.

Edita Tahiri was also a peace negotiator. She worked for seven years (from 2011 to 2017) to help Kosovo and Serbia have better relations. This was done with help from the European Union and the United States. She was also a member of parliament five times.

She signed the Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Kosovo on February 17, 2008. This was a huge step for her country. Today, she leads a political party called the Democratic Alternative of Kosovo (ADK). She also chairs a group called the Regional Women's Lobby in Southeastern Europe.

Edita Tahiri played a key role in the big political changes in Kosovo and Southeast Europe. She helped start the movement for Kosovo's independence in the 1990s. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, she worked hard to tell the world about Kosovo's situation. She was part of the team that negotiated the Rambouillet Agreement in 1999. This agreement led to NATO helping Kosovo and eventually to its independence.

Her Education Journey

Before she became a politician, Edita Tahiri studied telecommunications and electronics. In 1980, she earned her degree as an electrical and telecommunications engineer from the University of Prishtina. She even wrote a book about "Electronics."

Later, in 1983, she continued her studies in digital telecommunications. She went to the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. She also studied at Harvard University, where she earned a master's degree in public administration in 2002. Her professor, Joseph S. Nye, was her tutor there.

For her excellent schoolwork, she was named an "Outstanding student of 2002." She also received a special award for her "Extraordinary Contribution." In 2011, she earned her doctoral degree in political sciences. She studied at the University of Pristina and Johns Hopkins University SAIS.

Her Work in Politics

Edita Tahiri held many important jobs during tough times for Kosovo. She worked for freedom and democracy for her people. She wanted to make sure that bad things would never happen to them again.

Besides being the Minister of Foreign Affairs, she had other roles. She was a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leadership. She also served as a member of Kosovo's parliament several times. She was a special helper for President Rugova.

As foreign minister, Edita Tahiri helped the world understand Kosovo's desire for independence. She met with many important leaders. These included American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and NATO Chief General Wesley Clark. She also met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

She was part of all the important talks that led to NATO's help in 1999. This included the Rambouillet Conference in 1999. She also attended many world conferences. These meetings helped her share Kosovo's story with global diplomats.

After the war in Kosovo ended, she worked for democratic changes. She later helped start a new political party in 2004. This party is called the Kosovo Democratic Alternative (ADK). She has been the president of ADK since it began.

Edita Tahiri has also worked hard to empower women. She wants to make sure women have equal opportunities. She is a leader of the Regional Women's Lobby (RWLSEE). She helped create this group in 2006 with other female leaders.

Sharing Her Knowledge

Edita Tahiri often gives talks and writes about political topics. She focuses on international relations, especially about Kosovo and the Balkans. She has written several important publications.

Some of her writings include "Rambouillet Conference: Negotiation process and documents." She also wrote "Kosovo and Albanians outside Albania." Her work helps people understand the history and politics of the region. She has also written about Kosovo's independence and its role in regional stability.

Awards and Special Honors

Edita Tahiri has received many awards and honors for her work. She was made an honorary citizen of Little Rock, USA, in 1993. She also became an honorary Commissioner of Tennessee District Council in 1993.

She was a co-founder and board member of the Organization of Nations and Unrepresented Peoples. This group is based in The Hague. Today, she teaches about foreign policy and diplomacy at universities. She has also given many interviews to world news channels like CNN and BBC.

She can speak several languages fluently. These include Albanian, English, Turkish, Serbian, and Croatian.