National Conference on Europe Day

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Schuman declaration, European Movement in Albania (EMA), in cooperation with the universities of “Zonja e Keshillit te Mire” (Tirane), “Aleksander Moisiu” (Durres) and the EU Info Points located within these universities, on 12 May 2010, organized a national conference.The aim of this conference was to inform and raise awareness of the students on EU issues by promoting EU values and principles as well as on the future of Albania in the European Union.

This conference finalized the series of activities that EMA has undertaken on these targeted universities in the framework of a join initiatives took on by the European Movement International with the support of the European Commission, Education and Culture DG, on the occasion of the Europe Day. Participant in this activity were representatives of the academic and civil society, media and the students.

The conference was composed in two parts. During the first part of the conference a competition between two teams, which represented the universities of “Zoja e Keshillit te Mire”, Tirane and “Aleksander Moisiu”, Durres, was held. Students relevant teams were trained by EMA staff’ and they were provided with materials on the most pertinent EU’ issues. The competition was split into three sections:

• First section was focused on the most important issues related with the historical background and the institutional structures of the European Union;
• The relations between Albania and EU, emphasizing some of most crucial moments of this relations were subject of the second section;
• The last section consisted on questions encouraging the critical thinking of students.

In the end of the competition, a professional jury composed by EMA’ staff and representatives of the academic society, on the basis of the level of points collected by each of teams declared “Zoja e Keshillit te Mire” as the winning team.

The second part of the conference was shaped as an open forum, where some of the most important Albanian political and academic personalities, discussed on the European integration process and its significance for the new generations. One of the guest speakers was Mr. Rexhep Meidani, former President of the Republic of Albania. Mr. Meidani hold a speech on “EU enlargement – as a victory of Democracy, Secularism and Humanism” analysing the EU enlargement from a human prospective. During his presentation, Mr. Meidani paid a special attention to the Albanian path towards EU stressing some of the main national characteristics such as religious tolerance.

“The challenges of higher education in the European Union” was addressed during the speech of Mr. Agim Kukeli, Rector of the University of “Aleksander Moisiu” Durres. He greeted this initiatives and the permanent attention that EMA has paid towards the academic staff and the students of this university. Mr. Kukeli emphasized that the European integration required a serious engagement especially in the education system.  In the framework of this process, the Albanian Education system has adopted some of the European standards such as the application of the Bologna accord. This card, which not only set the Albanian higher education in the unison with the European policy in this field through standardization of the degrees but it will also provide more opportunities for Albanian students to participate in various exchange programs and increasing their mobility.

“Health system and the market economy in line with the EU standards” was the title of the speech of Mr. Tritan Shehu, Deputy Rector of the university “Zoja e Keshillit te Mire”, former Minister of the Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Health. During his speech, Mr. Shehu underlined the importance of reforms in this field in according with the EU standards, process that will anticipate the European integration of Albania. He emphasized that Albania has started the reforms in health system since 1993. Despite of this, the permanent orientation of reforms towards the market demands will serve to increase the efficiency and the quality of the offered health services.

In the end of the conference, EMA has distributed a certificate of achievement for 12 students, for their successful accomplishment of the training and the final competition organized on the Europe Day.