Youth activities in the framework of the Europe Day

In the framework of the Europe Day, European Movement in Albania (EMA) and Roma Active Albania  (RAA) organized a public event entitled: “Roma involvement in the Albanian society” on the light of the respect of human rights for Roma Community.

This event was shaped in two parts. In the first part of the activity was organized a public debate between two teams composed by students from the high schools of Tirana. The cartoons’ competition on Albanian prospective in the European family was organized during the second part of the event.

Students from three high schools such as: Andon Zako Çajupi, Kristandin Kristoforidhi (in Tirane) and Isa Boletin (in Vora, in the periphery of Tirana), were divided in two teams called Brussels and Strasbourg, due to the symbolic meaning that these two EU main center represented. Each team had in its disposal 10 — 15 min to prepare their opinion on the current situation related with the respect of human rights for Roma minority, on the light of the European standards of the fundamental human rights. Members of each team discussed with each other and shared their personal experiences, which were summarized in a joint declaration. Following the presentation of each declaration from the leaders of both teams, all students were engaged in an open and constructive debate. This public debate concluded the cycle of several trainings that EMA in cooperation with RAA carried out in order to increase the information and awareness of youths on Roma inclusion in the society, European Integration and Albanian future in the EU.

The common purpose of trainings and public debate was to prepare young people to discuss and argue their views. Therefore part of evaluation criteria settled by the professional jury was the critical think of students during debate. In the same time providing students with additional information complementary of textbooks on latest improvement concerning the fundamental human rights, was another main output of this initiative.

In the second part of this event, a cartoons’ competition was organized where all the artistic works submitted in response of EMA announcement were display. In this exhibition were presented 15 best works which reflected different point of view with regards of Albania’s path towards EU. EMA’s staff based on the professional opinion of some well-known experts in the field of visual arts selected the best two cartoons. The best caricature was selected the work of Jetmir Lubonja, student of the painting class. Slogan of his cartoon was “Sooner or later we will reach the finish”. Meanwhile, Rael Hoxha won the second place. His caricature reflected the idea of the EU composition, as a unit of variety countries. Both winners were awarded by e certificate and also a financial price respectively 100 and 50 Euro to encourage and promote the work of young artists.

In the end of this event, EMA has distributed a certificate of achievement for all the participating students in both public debate and cartoons’ exhibition, organized on the Europe Day.

After the event the pupils involved expressed their interest in organising other activities by involving them in spreading the information of European values, and other sensitive issues, among teenagers. For this they proposed concrete activities related to high school and education, such as information points on the union and its programs, exhibitions and competitions on specific topics related to EU integration and active citizenship. Also they discussed for an open space in schools by which they peers can propose concrete activities that they find interesting.