Kosovan delegation on a study visit to Germany to learn about crime prevention and the reintegration of young people

Details: Published: November 13, 2018

During the meeting with the law enforcement commissioner for the NRW region, Prof. Dr. Michael Kubink (at the end of the table on the right)

Kosovo

From 22 to 25 October 2018, Kosovan representatives from various non-governmental organisations and the Deputy Ombudsperson of Kosovo visited Germany to attend talks. The subjects discussed during this study visit, which was organised by the IRZ in partnership with UNICEF Kosovo, were crime prevention and the reintegration of young people in Germany, using the North Rhine-Westphalia region as an example.

The intensive specialist programme was therefore divided into two sections. On the first day, the delegation had the opportunity to find out about the crime prevention programmes and initiatives in the NRW region at talks held at the Ministry of Justice for North Rhine-Westphalia. The Kosovan guests then attended a meeting with the law enforcement commissioner for the NRW region, who is based in Cologne, during which they were able to discuss the roles and responsibilities of this position.

The programme for the second day included visits to three civil society institutions, which play a central role in Cologne in the prevention of violence and in reintegration. The delegation learned about the various roles and framework conditions of these institutions. During talks with the Brücke Köln e.V. association, for example, the large number of non-custodial measures, which are being carried out at various sites in Cologne, were presented. The objective of the association, which acts as an interface between the City of Cologne and the judiciary, is to avoid the arrest of young people. This is also an objective, which is gaining increasing importance in Kosovo.

The main focus at the Förderverein Bewährungshilfe Köln e.V., an association supporting the probation service, was on presenting the concept of the home. The Förderverein provides accommodation in Cologne. Residents can benefit from special deals and the support of an educational team to help them towards independence and living crime-free lives.

To round off this visit, the delegation was given the opportunity to learn about the work of the association called 180 Grad Wende. This association has an impressive concept for developing prospects for a life without violence, both by preventing violence and by working with prisoners.

The delegation was accompanied by former judge Michael Klein who worked for many years as a juvenile court judge at the Local Court of Cologne and who continues to be involved in this field on a voluntary basis.