Newsroom
OSCE Chairmanship approves funding for major awareness and advocacy campaign in Albania
TIRANA 28 February 2003
TIRANA, 28 February 2003 - The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tirana, representing the current OSCE Chairmanship, today approved funding for a grass-roots initiative which is expected to be the largest awareness-raising and advocacy campaign ever held in Albania.
The campaign, aiming to counter public apathy in the country, is an initiative of two civil society groups, Balkans YouthLink and the Albanian National Debate Association. But it is also a collaborative effort by a wide variety of groups and concerned citizens who believe that a good democracy and prosperous society underpinned by good governance can only be achieved with constructive civil pressure and participation.
The campaigners will organize events throughout the entire country in the upcoming months. Themes include fighting corruption, poverty, violence, trafficking, pollution, and unethical and unresponsive politics. Activities will include public debates, city hall meetings, concerts, and large-scale media events.
An indirect aim of the campaign will focus on improving Albania's image abroad by showing that the country has a vibrant civil society working for change.
This initiative underscores the efforts of the Netherlands to address human security issues during its Chairmanship of the OSCE during 2003. Additional support is being given by both the American and British Embassies in Tirana, as well as by the OSCE Presence in Albania.
The campaign, aiming to counter public apathy in the country, is an initiative of two civil society groups, Balkans YouthLink and the Albanian National Debate Association. But it is also a collaborative effort by a wide variety of groups and concerned citizens who believe that a good democracy and prosperous society underpinned by good governance can only be achieved with constructive civil pressure and participation.
The campaigners will organize events throughout the entire country in the upcoming months. Themes include fighting corruption, poverty, violence, trafficking, pollution, and unethical and unresponsive politics. Activities will include public debates, city hall meetings, concerts, and large-scale media events.
An indirect aim of the campaign will focus on improving Albania's image abroad by showing that the country has a vibrant civil society working for change.
This initiative underscores the efforts of the Netherlands to address human security issues during its Chairmanship of the OSCE during 2003. Additional support is being given by both the American and British Embassies in Tirana, as well as by the OSCE Presence in Albania.