Project Background: LINK is the careers service at the University of Pristina. It has just been handed over from the OSCE to the University. We spoke to the head of the service and she was very interested in seeing how to get more students from the University volunteering, in order to improve their CVs and hence job prospects. She is also interested in establishing a student newspaper so that students are able to have valuable work experience and so that community life is improved. It is also important for students to be aware of the work of LINK.
Ease of implementation: A significant amount of work would need to be done before the Oxford coordinating student can visit. It will require some liaising with international institutions and foundations to secure funding before implementation and it will also require the student to draw up editorial guidelines, and a governance structure in partnership with the first editor of the student paper drawn from the University of Pristina.
Numbers: One student who had just finished their studies would lead the team as the project manager for two-three months (e.g. September-December). He would work with another (bilingual) student from the University of Pristina to help set up the newspaper. A memorandum of understanding would be signed by the participants (including OXAB, LINK and funding partners) setting out: A code of conduct and ethics including impartiality and balance, the structure of the newspaper, individual responsibilities, its governance structure, appointment of board members, and an editorial independence agreement.
Funding: Funding will be required for the print runs. However, the intention would be that the project eventually becomes self-sustaining through advertising revenues. Funding might also be required to somewhat support the coordinating Oxford student.
Skill base of the volunteer required: Editorial and journalistic experience is essential. Negotiation with authorities and project management experience is an asset.
Development and future opportunities: Work with the established newspaper with a report exchange, along the lines of that with Urban FM / INC.
Possible Partnerships: Oxford Student, Cherwell, Oxford Media Society
Possible security and safety concerns: The location of this project is Pristina and consequently the security and safety concerns are low unless something particularly inflammatory or controversial is written in an early publication of the newspaper.
Last updated: April 26th, 2009