Prishtina - April 19, in a significant step towards linguistic and educational advancement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kosovo has organized a study visit to Finland, focusing on the transfer of knowledge and practices in the field of bilingual policy and education. This move underscores a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing language-related challenges and promoting inclusive language policies. 

The visit involved representatives from the Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo and the Office of the Language Commissioner. These officials engaged with seven major Finnish institutions: Swedish Assembly of Finland, IOM in Finland, Ministry of Justice, Department for Democracy and Public Law, Autonomy and Equality Unit, Finnish National Agency for Education, Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Language Unit, Swedish Speaking Education in the Municipality of Helsinki and Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. The primary goal of this interaction was to glean insights from Finland's well-established frameworks for bilingual education, translation services, and protection of language rights. 

Finland is renowned for its practices in bilingual education and policy and language rights protection. Representatives from Kosovo had the opportunity to learn from these models and methodologies to be adapted to fit Kosovo’s linguistic landscape.  This includes enhancing the quality of translation services provided at central and local level, and fostering an environment where non-discrimination practices are the norm. 

This initiative was made possible thanks to the financial support of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), under the framework of the project “Promoting and Advancing Language Rights in Kosovo "which aims to promote multilingualism and protect linguistic rights in Kosovo. 

The study visit to Finland represents a proactive approach to learning from global best practices in the realm of education and linguistics.