“Truth is the real oxygen for democracy,” says Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the 6th President of the Republic of Kosovo. As a child of war, she once longed for someone to save her people. Now she’s been in the rooms where decisions are made — and she’s never forgotten what brought her there. In conversation with solutions journalist Angus Hervey, she reflects on what it takes to defend democracy in a world where truth itself is under threat. (Recorded on April 14, 2026) (Recorded at TED2026 on April 14, 2026)
Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:
Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.
Watch more:
TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at
#TED #TEDTalks #Democracy
@user_user1337
May 1, 2026 at 11:44 am
It can’t: It takes President Trump to interpret Kosovo and give us an exegesis of it.
@imworkingonit6328
May 1, 2026 at 11:46 am
Kosovo je Srbija
@הדראורן-צ4ב
May 1, 2026 at 11:49 am
Kosovo 🇽🇰 & Israel 🇮🇱 will live forever ❤
@1MomoBobo1
May 1, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Sorry but no, we stand with Palestine❤
@yugo_papa
May 1, 2026 at 11:54 am
There is nothing democratic about Kosovo. It’s the poorest and more corrupt puppet state in Europe.
@anotherstockcivic
May 1, 2026 at 11:59 am
What a moralistic talk
@1MomoBobo1
May 1, 2026 at 12:19 pm
We are Albanians from Kosovo and we stand with palestine!! KOSOVO BELONGS TO ALBANIA
@goranradomirovic2284
May 1, 2026 at 12:24 pm
К❤О❤С❤О❤В❤О је
С❤Р❤Б❤И❤Ј❤А
@Bughotwheels
May 1, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Awesome
@zahratorabi-n6e
May 1, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Such familiar words and story I heard tonight😭 currently all these situations occurred in Iran
@nitdishuka
May 1, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Queen of Kosovo such a wonderful interview 👏
@JoeySalami26
May 1, 2026 at 2:43 pm
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 KOSOVO: MAFIA STATE
@FathefaShefa
May 1, 2026 at 2:44 pm
I will a be native speaker it’s my big dream in sha Allah
@MOHAMEDTABCAMOHAMED
May 1, 2026 at 4:16 pm
My best channel Ted ❤❤❤❤
@NoriaAnwar-g3c2b
May 1, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I listen to those videos from this channel because i want to learn English
@realpokemon98
May 1, 2026 at 9:55 pm
Republic of Kosovo 🇽🇰
@Bkn_zv
May 2, 2026 at 3:33 am
Ahhahahahahaha that tile must be a joke, because the answer is ” fck all “😂
@Boo-BooBonhomie
May 2, 2026 at 10:48 am
“War is not healthy for children and other living things.” At its core, this quote is a moral indictment of war’s human cost. It reminds us that
• Children suffer first & longest—through death, displacement, trauma, and the destruction of schools and hospitals.
• “Other living things” expands the message beyond humans to include the environment, animals, and the fragile ecosystems war destroys.
• It’s a call to intergenerational responsibility: those who give life should not be silent when life is threatened.
🌻 A Legacy of Peace
Lorraine Schneider (the artist) died young, at 47, but her message outlived her. It became a symbol of mothers refusing to accept war as inevitable and insisting that compassion is a political force.
@MeklitMekonnen-t1b
May 2, 2026 at 12:39 pm
The oxygen of democracy 😮 blaming God for human mistrust?
@alidabouz2243
May 3, 2026 at 6:59 am
As a Muslim sheltered within a cherch, the pasteur’s actions affirmed that human life is a seprem value.
@cheersmodreams691
May 3, 2026 at 9:55 am
Nationalism, Populism, cynicism – which is most destructive.
@ExistentialWolf
May 3, 2026 at 10:52 am
A politicians motivational mantra to show up for work isn’t the construct of a government. First, government is just a job and has its success as part of the greater community need. Government is important in times of growth to manage change correctly. Living after war is simply a game of survival … literately nothing matters until there is a critical mass of people where productivity occurs and the all consuming fire is harnessed not just a source of bemusement.