Policy Forum: Towards the institutionalization of relations between public and non-public actors in Albania

On 26 September 2012, Blerta Hoxha, Researcher at EMA, in collaboration with Pontis Foundation – Slovakia organized the Policy Forum: “Towards the institutionalization of relations between public and non-public actors in Albania“. The forum brought together representatives of state institutions, researchers, civil society representatives and media who discussed the concerns of civil society and interest groups’ involvement in policy making.

The forum was opened by the welcoming speech of Ms. Blerta Hoxha, who stressed the importance of ensuring a transparent and inclusive environment in the policy and law-making process, as crucial issues in strengthening Albania\’s democracy and progressing towards European Union membership.

Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Chairman of the Committee for European Integration, in his speech spoke about the current situation of state institutions. Their organization creates opportunities to be as transparent as possible, but this is not necessarily reflected in practice. Regarding the relationship between politics and civil society, Mr. Bushati described it as a relationship in which each is isolated in its own island. However, the business community, or civil society, represent a much more consolidated will to feed this relationship than politics. In this context, Mr. Bushati also stressed the importance of access to information. Welcoming the efforts made to develop this right, he underlined the need for further law regulation, as well as the change of mentality.

Executive Director of the Open Society Foundation, Mr. Andi Dobrushi, presented an overview of the role of this foundation regarding the issues of the right to information and consultation processes. He highlighted the problems and limitations of the Law on the Right to be Informed and institutional practices. The presented conclusions were supported by statistical data. He also mentioned the Foundation’s collaboration with state institutions to change the Law on the Right to be Informed and to draft a law on consultation.

During her speech, Mrs. Vjollca Meçaj, Executive Director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, stated that the right to be informed as a basic concept of democracy, should stand on the foundation of the relationship between public and non-public institutions. She also introduced the role and contribution of the Albanian Helsinki Committee in this matter. She also brought some positive examples especially with regard to penitentiary institutions.

Further, Ms. Blerta Hoxha presented the main findings and recommendations of the research. Recalling the experience of institutions in Slovakia, as well as those of the EU, she stressed the need of taking concrete steps towards the institutionalization of relations.

The forum was followed by a discussion session where participants brought their own experiences and discussed the possibilities to consolidate these policies.