The symposium commemorating the 25th anniversary of the arrival of Kosovar Albanians to Canada and Canada’s military and diplomatic involvement in Kosovo took place on November 1-2, 2024, in Toronto. Organized by Carleton University, the University of Toronto, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Canadian Immigration Historical Society, and representatives from the Kosovar Albanian community, the event brought together academics, immigration officials, policymakers, politicians, private citizens, aid organizations, and members of the Kosovar Albanian community.
The symposium featured an opening gala on Friday, November 1, at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, followed by a series of panels on Saturday, November 2, at the Campbell Conference Facility on the University of Toronto campus. The panels covered topics such as Canada’s military, diplomatic, and immigration policies related to Kosovo, the implementation of immigration processing in Macedonia and Albania, the experiences of Kosovar refugees on Canadian Forces bases, and their settlement and integration into Canadian communities.
To watch the opening gala, click here
To watch the day 2 panels, click here
Event Photos
Keynote speaker Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Kosovo War.
Question & Answer session with Dr. Lloyd Axworthy moderated by Symposium Co-chair Dr. Laura Madokoro
Exhibit of “25 Years, 25 Lives: Kosovar Refugees in Canada” created by conference committee members Krenare Recaj and Arta Tahiraj
Exhibit of “25 Years, 25 Lives: Kosovar Refugees in Canada” created by conference committee members Krenare Recaj and Arta Tahiraj
Canadian Member of Parliament Kyle Seeback, Canadian Member of Parliament Rob Oliphant, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Ambassador of Kosovo to Canada Adriatik Kryeziu, Consul General of Kosovo to Canada Kadri Dakaj, and Dr. Ruki Kondaj.
Members of the Canadian Albanian community.
The Honourable Art Eggleton (Minister of National Defence in 1999) and Krenare Recaj (Symposium co-chair).
Recognition of Canadian Military and Law Enforcement Personnel who served in Kosovo.
Cultural Performance by Shqiponjat e Vogla
250 People attended the Opening Gala. Front Row, Dr. Norman Hillmer (Carleton), Dr. John Meehan (University of Toronto), Rebecca Friend (Carleton), Emma Awe (Carleton), Arta Tahiraj (Committee member), Dr. Jan Raska (Pier 21 Museum of Immigration), Gerry Maffre(Canadian Immigration Historical Society).
Video Message by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Video Message by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
Day 2 opening Remarks by Member of Parliament Anita Vandenbeld, Chair of the Canada Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group
Day 2 at the University of Toronto, hosted by the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History
Day 2 at the University of Toronto, hosted by the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History
The Honourable Member of Parliament Anita Vandenbeld (chair of the Canada Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group), The Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo His Excellency Adriatik Kryeziu, The Ambassador of Albania her Excellency Artemis Malo, and Dr. Ruki Konday
Carleton PhD Candidate Rebecca Friend, Carleton Professor Dr. Laura Madokoro (symposium co-chair), Carleton PhD Candidate Krenare Recaj, Carleton M.A. Graduate Arta Tarihaj, Carleton PhD Candidate Emma Awe