The Wire

Montenegro’s independence vote last month represented the state crumb to fall from the crumbling federation of Yugoslavia. The states of the former Yugoslavia now find themselves rebuilding their systems. For these states the goal is joining the European Union, but there’s a long way to go. For many the transition from Communism to democracy is a confusing process, in particular for the deaf community. In late 2003 The Finnish Association for the Deaf began a training project with 11 local deaf associations in Kosovo to develop a local network and to continue research work on Kosovar sign language. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded the project under the auspices of the Finnish Association of the Deaf, a UN recognised group. Sheena Walters was stationed in Pristina to assist with the project. Sheena grew up in a deaf family and AUSLAN is her first language. On her return to Australia she speaks to Stephanie Raison about the work in Kosovo.