OSCE Presence in Albania marks conclusion of youth civic engagement project

An event was held on 12 November 2012 at Durrës in Albania to mark the graduation of 50 students who participated in a project on civic responsibility of the OSCE Presence in Albania. Head of the OSCE Presence Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy in Albania Erik Tintrup, Mayor of Durrës Vangjush Dako, as well as heads of higher education institutions and representatives of civil society organizations attended.

“A pro-active civic community is a fundamental element of the social fabric in modern democracies. Throughout this project, with your practical, joint actions, you have represented just that: a model citizenship,” Ambassador Wollfarth said to the students at the ceremony. “I hope that your civic participation will not stop here but rather be the first of many efforts you will lead to contribute to a strong civil society in your communities.”

The project aimed to strengthen a sense of civic engagement and responsibility among young people by learning about the role of civil society in the development of their communities through dialogue, co-operation and partnership between youth, local institutions and non-governmental organizations. The students actively took part in community life for example by helping out in a local public library or daily care centre for the elderly. The project was funded by the German government.