KNOWLEDGE-BASED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA AND KOSOVO

 

The UET Centre in cooperation with Riinvest Institute in Kosovo and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, supported by the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) in Austria, are working on a joint research project and workshop on the knowledge-based approach to regional development in Albania and Kosovo. This research project investigates to what extent and in what ways, if at all, strategies, and policy interventions and programmes for the development of a knowledge-based society in Kosovo and Albania could contribute to sustainable regional development. The implementation of the research project along with the dissemination strategy initiates a critical mass of researchers who are aware of and committed to the emerging topic of knowledge-based regional development.
The project applied a combined approach of quantitative and qualitative research methods such as secondary data analysis and desk research, as well as fieldwork such as focus groups with representatives of government institutions, business entities and research organizations. The authors identified major weaknesses preventing Albania and Kosovo to follow knowledge-based development path.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

               

“KANXURA” RADIO- UET CENTRE SUPPORTS ROMA YOUTH TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN MEDIA

 

UET Center organized the conference, “Empowerment of Roma youth through capacity development and education for alternative media”, as the final activity of a one-year project in collaboration with the Institute of Roma Culture in Albania supported by ABC Foundation. The conference presented the main achievements of the project for Roma youth empowerment through alternative media. The participants were all the Roma and non-Roma youth, who were part of the previously conducted trainings within this project as well as other interested actors. The key speakers of the Conference were: Blerjana Bino, the Executive Director of UET Centre; Sabina Juka, Project Manager, ABC Foundation; Xhesika Korra, Project Manager, IRCA; Mito Kudaka, Peace Corpus; Bledar Taho, the Executive Director of IRCA and Xhekson Çela, Founder of Kanxura Radio.

The conference was concluded with the presentation of the online radio established by Roma youth at IRCA, “Kanxura” Radio.  It represents an alternative communication and participatory space towards social inclusion. “Kanxura” Radio will enable the strengthening of the Roma community identity and building an open and inclusive society.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre 
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

         

“SHAPING THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY” BY FABIAN KATI

 

UET Centre in cooperation with the European University of Tirana launched the book of the researcher, Fabian Kati, “Shaping the collective memory: Events in Dukagjin, Malësi e Madhe and Postribë, 1945-1946”. This book presents the findings of a research project funded by UET and implemented by UET Centre. The Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, Erion Veliaj, was present in the ceremony and congratulated Mr. Kati and UET Centre for this initiative.
The aim of this pilot project is to create a methodologically organized audio visual database on oral accounts/ testimonies related to the historical events leading up to and following the Malësi e Madhe uprisings. The period covered is the one between 1944 and 1950 at the beginning of the communist rule. This pilot project, which is the first of its kind to be conducted in Albanian studies, will help create an original framework which can be followed as a model for further studies dealing with individual/collective memory throughout the half century of communist rule in Albania (1944-1991).

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

 

ROMA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND ALTERNATIVE MEDIA EDUCATION.

 

UET Center in collaboration with the Institute of Roma Culture in Albania and financial support of ABC Foundation, organized a series of trainings about Roma youth empowerment through strengthening media competences within the project “Roma Youth empowerment through capacity development and alternative media education”.
The training was organized in three sessions. The first on 2nd-3d April, the second on 9th-10th April and the third one on 14th April.The first session of the training was focused in the development of “Media Competence”, trainer Dr. Belina Budini, Head of Communications and Public Relations Department at the European University of Tirana. The second session was focused on “Media projects management for Roma Community” trainer Ketrina Çabiri, Program Manager at UET Center. The third training was conducted under the direction of Bledar Taho, Executive Director of the Institute of Roma Culture in Albania and topics he addressed were regarding the “Advocacy and activism of youth through alternative media”. The training was attended not only by Roma youth who are committed to promote Roma values and culture, but also, non-Roma youth who are involved in initiatives that promote social inclusion.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

     

OSCE TO CAMPUS: OPEN LECTURES

 

The OSCE Presence in Albania, the European University of Tirana and UET Centre are cooperating in the organization of a set of open lecturers about the work and mandate of the OSCE Presence in Albania. The open lectures offer an open platform to students, academics and other interested actors to discuss the role and work and future challenges of the OSCE as an international organization with a particular focus in Albania.
The first three open lecturers have proven a success with a wide participation and high interest shown by students, who appreciate the opportunity to link theoretical knowledge with practical information on international organizations and political processes.
One of the open lectures was held by Good Governance Department representatives, Mrs. Juliana Rexha and Mrs. Ermelinda Xhaja. The main issues mainly discus during the lecture were addressed to “Combating human trafficking” and “The fight against corruption”. Participating students showed high interest and discussed about the achievements and challenges of the department of Good Governance in these areas. The OSCE Presence in Albania, the European University of Tirana and UET Centre are cooperating in the organization of a set of open lecturers about the work and mandate of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

       

‘OUR AMBASSADORS: CONNECTING DIPLOMACY AND CREATIVITY’ – UET CENTRE, UET PRESS AND MINISTRY OF CULTURE WITH A NEW PROJECT ON ART AND CULTURE

 

UET Centre in collaboration with the university publishing house of the European University of Tirana, UET Press, has initiated a new project on art and culture supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of Albania. The project ‘Ambassadors as writers – writers as ambassadors: The creativity of Albanian ambassadors from 1912 to 2014’ aims at promoting the artistic creativity of Albanian ambassadors through the publication of an anthology and educational activities with youth on cultural diplomacy.
The anthology ‘Our Ambassadors: Connecting diplomacy and creativity’ will be published by the UET Press and prepared by Valbona Nathanaili, the UET Press Director, and Prof. Dr. Ylljet Aliçkaj, Lecturer at the Department of Education at the European University of Tirana. This publication will contribute to fill in the gap in Albanian scholarship regarding the connections between diplomacy and creativity.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]

                   

SUMMARY OF IN-DEPTH STUDIES ON ÇAMËRIA: ‘EPIRI I JUGUT – ÇAMËRIA’

 

The Agency for the Support of Civil Society (AMSHC), in cooperation with the UET Centre and the UET Press published a book on Çamëria, bringing together a summary of in-depth studies on this topic and making it available to the scientific community and the public at large. The book, edited by Prof. Dr. Romeo Gurakuqi and Ketrina Çabiri, represents a summary of various in-depth studies and research concerning the Çamëria cause, as a fundamental human rights cause and an important part of the political discourse in Albania.
The contemporary Albanian society has gone through some essential social, cultural, political and economic transformations. The increased interest of the Albanian government and international actors on issues concerning marginalised communities is also reflected in the research agenda in academia in an attempt to seek for historical facts and bring into the light evidences. This summary explores the dynamics of the inter-state relations (Albania – Greece) in light of the national minorities with a particular interest on the çam population.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Ketrina Cabiri
[email protected]

                     

ROMA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP

 

The UET Centre organised on the 03rd July the final conference on minority rights, thus concluding the project “Minority Rights in Albania: Roma youth empowerment through education and leadership”, supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Rule of Law Program in South East Europe and in partnership with the European University of Tirana and the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania. The conference brought together relevant stakeholders on Roma issues, academics, representatives from the Albanian government institutions, Roma and non-Roma youth organizations, community leaders, civil society activists and representatives of the private sector in order to present, share and discuss the challenges against Roma discrimination through education and leadership.
The project sought to empower Roma youth in Albania to fight discrimination, marginalization and exclusion through the development of their knowledge on minority rights, particularly so on youth rights, and leadership competences.

Project Coordinator for UET Centre
Blerjana Bino
[email protected]