DIASPORA AS AN ELEMENT OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY: STATE POLICIES OF ALBANIA AND KOSOVO

Abstract

Abstract The diaspora is an important actor in the political, economic, social, and cultural development of a country. Governments of different countries have understood cooperation with the diaspora as an important part of state policies. The case of the Albanian diaspora is one of the rarest in the world, as it is supported by two different countries with the same nationality, Albania and Kosovo. This study analyzes the commitment, policies, and influence that these two countries have had in communication and relations with the Albanian diaspora, with the aim of developing their state policies within the dimensions of public diplomacy. The study makes a comparative analysis between the results and the institutional work of special institutions for the diaspora in Albania and Kosovo. The analysis was conducted on the data collected from a survey conducted with 249 Albanian citizens living in 13 different countries of the world, 8 interviews with researchers, leaders, and activists of Albanian associations in the diaspora, as well as the evaluation of activities conducted by institutions in these two countries. Some of the results achieved in this study are that although not at sufficient levels, Kosovo has pursued more effective policies than Albania regarding the diaspora. The diaspora appears to us as the most self-organized within it, and the contribution of both countries remains mostly at the propaganda level and without any major influence on public diplomacy. Keywords: Albanian diaspora, public diplomacy, soft-power, propaganda, Albania, Kosovo