Global

International Republican Institute

Global, a podcast brought to you by IRI, is not your usual foreign policy podcast. Each episode dives into history, current events, and complex topics that impact how countries can become more democratic. Our dynamic hosts interview top country experts, including heads of state, elected officials, foreign policy analysts, journalists, and on-the-ground activists. Whether you’re a foreign policy expert learning about a new country in your portfolio, a world traveler looking for your next destination, or simply interested in a fresh perspective on international affairs, Global provides unique context from all corners of the world. If you have comments or feedback, you can contact our below producers by email at podcast@iri.org or tweet us @IRIGlobal. Produced by Samuel R. Johannes @andthensamsays Associate Producer, Travis Green https://bit.ly/2kvItUU

Episodes

  1. 18/06/2020

    Democracy First Responders - Kosovo - Donjet Bislimi

    In this series of Global, we’ve been speaking with “Democracy First Responders” — the politicians, activists, government officials and everyday citizens who are working to respond to the COVID-19 crisis successfully and protect their country’s democratic institutions. Today, we’re taking you to Kosovo. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Kosovar government has struggled to meet the challenges of the pandemic, mismanaging both the country’s political and medical response. Ultimately, the government dissolved and a nationwide political crisis ensued. But in the midst of these crises, young people in Kosovo has stepped up. Enter our guest for today: Donjet Bislimi. Donjet is a physician, whose work has literally put him at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. But in addition to that, Donjet is a young political leader committed to democratic governance in Kosovo. He’s the President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo’s youth wing. But before that, at the ripe old age of 23, Donjet was elected to the municipal assembly of Mitrovica in 2017. Since then, he’s been a champion for young people throughout Kosovo, helping the country’s next generation of democratic leaders. Global spoke with Donjet about his experience as a physician on the frontlines of a public health crisis, the government failure to manage the fallout of COVID-19 and his hopes for a more democratic future. This episode concludes our “Democracy First Responders” series. It’s been an honor to hear from the politicians, government officials and activists across the world who are proof of democracy’s strength in times of crisis.

    15 min

About

Global, a podcast brought to you by IRI, is not your usual foreign policy podcast. Each episode dives into history, current events, and complex topics that impact how countries can become more democratic. Our dynamic hosts interview top country experts, including heads of state, elected officials, foreign policy analysts, journalists, and on-the-ground activists. Whether you’re a foreign policy expert learning about a new country in your portfolio, a world traveler looking for your next destination, or simply interested in a fresh perspective on international affairs, Global provides unique context from all corners of the world. If you have comments or feedback, you can contact our below producers by email at podcast@iri.org or tweet us @IRIGlobal. Produced by Samuel R. Johannes @andthensamsays Associate Producer, Travis Green https://bit.ly/2kvItUU