On Earth Day 🌍, April 22, 2026, the Department of Anthropology at the University of Prishtina’s Faculty of Philosophy held its annual roundtable under the theme: “The Environment in Cultural Perspective: Interdisciplinary Research Approaches.”
The roundtable brought together professors, researchers, students, and alumni, creating a vibrant space for discussion on how the environment can be understood beyond narrow disciplinary boundaries. The event was opened by Vice-Rector for Science and Professor of Biology, Avni Hajdari who also participated in the first panel and the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Prof. Bekim Baliqi.
The program included academic, non‑governmental, and student sessions. Throughout the sessions, speakers highlighted the contribution of anthropological approaches and methodologies to the study of nature and the environment, viewing it as a field deeply connected to culture, social practice, and human experience.
The discussion underlined the importance of interdisciplinary work as essential for understanding today’s complex environmental challenges, as well as the role of creative activism and non‑governmental organizations in driving social and ecological change ♻️. Special attention was given to preserving traditional knowledge, emphasizing the need to document, interpret, and reintegrate it into contemporary contexts.
Prof. Avni Hajdari from the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Natural Sciences explored the links between ethnobotany and ethnography and the value of traditional knowledge, sharing examples from his extensive research in Kosovo, Albania, Italy, Greece, and the wider region.
Prof. Shemsi Krasniqi from the Department of Sociology addressed eco‑culture and the need to move the debate beyond anthropocentrism toward ecocentrism.
Prof. Linda Gusia raised several questions concerning creative activism, highlighting efforts related to water protection in Kosovo 💧.
Prof. Dukagjin Zeka from the Faculty of Agriculture discussed environmental protection from an agricultural development standpoint, touching on related issues such as demography, pollution, and economic development.
Prof. Zanita Halimi raised an important anthropological question regarding the divide between private and public environmental care and the lack of collective action to improve conditions.
Urtesë Zeneli, an anthropologist from the organization DYVO, spoke about the group’s creative approach to recycling and upcycling, especially in raising awareness among young people about the impacts of plastic pollution.
In the alumni and student session, presentations were delivered by Çlirimtare Januzaj, Era Ramoja, Riga Uka, and Besim Gashi, featuring research, projects, and initiatives from the Department of Anthropology 🎓. This panel demonstrated students’ active involvement in areas such as research, filmmaking, and inter‑institutional cooperation, reflecting an integrated approach that connects theory and practice.
Through this roundtable, the Department of Anthropology continues to strengthen its role as a critical forum for academic and public dialogue on pressing contemporary issues, encouraging cooperation, reflection, and action at the intersection of environment and culture 🌱.