Public debate at the University of Vlora on Enhancing participatory democracy at local level

In the framework of the project “Enhancing participatory democracy at local level: Youth education and involvement in local government institutions” European Movement in Albania (EMA) organized on 17th of March 2011, the first of the public lecture series at University “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore. The guest speaker in this event was Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Albania, H. E Mr.  Henk G. C. Van Den DOOL. The public lecture was attended by different stakeholders such as students and academic staff of Vlora University, representatives of civil society and local media.

The lecture was welcomed by Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of EMA, who provided a short presentation of the main goals of this initiative supported by National Endowment Democracy (NED). He stated that the purpose of this initiative is to involve young people in the process of decision making of the local government through civic education on the role that local government institutions play in our daily lives.

In this respect, EMA is organizing a series of public lectures in some of the main university towns of Albania to increase the information and awareness of the students on the importance of their engagement in the local decision making process, as one of the main foundations of a functional democracy.

Deputy Rector of Vlora University, Mr. Vladimir Kasemi gave a presentation on “Role of the University in educating and encouraging students to be active citizens”. He underlined that the cooperation with various stakeholders among which civil society and media, will increase the efficiency of the educational work of universities by strengthening their role. Mr. Kasemi concluded his speech by welcoming this initiative and encouraged the civil society to undertake as many initiatives of this kind, clarifying the role of university in the society.

“The need for a wide participation of citizens in the public life as a guarantee for a functioning democracy” was the topic of the lecture held by the Ambassador Van den DOOL. During his word, Ambassador pointed out that “transition” cannot be anymore a valid reason for justifying democratic shortcomings noticed, thus becoming a potential risk for the European path of the country. Stressing that Albania is on the verge of the local election, Ambassador Van den Dool, explained the relevance the electoral process has to guarantee and improve democracy. Free and fair elections are the main component of a functioning democracy. In this respect, some dominant characteristics of the political culture, which seem to support political rhetoric to the detriment of policy making, offering the public no alternative to vote, must be redesigned. Such a culture does not support participation, it rather discourages voters, especially young people to be engaged in decision making process. “Turning the back to the politics do not means that situation will improve”: emphasized the Ambassador during his speech. The relationship voters – elected person is a kind of “contract” which means sharing duties and responsibilities in doing things better.

In the end the public lecture was followed by a debate between the Ambassador and audience, who addressed a set of questions related to democracy and ways of influencing it. This event was covered by local audiovisual media and national newspapers.