PUKA, May 7th 2019 – The European Integration and Foreign Assistance Coordination Unit in the Municipality of Puka, in cooperation with Europe House organized the dialogue called “Europe goes back to school – The power of youth”, which was held at the “Sabah Sinani” high school in Puka.
Participants in the meeting were the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Tirana, His Excellency, Mr. Jaroslav Ludva, the Representative of the Swedish Embassy, Mr. Michael Nordenberg, the representative of the EU Delegation, Mr. Razvan, the Mayor of the Municipality, Mr. John Gjonaj, etc. The meeting was moderated by the school director, Mrs. Angjelina Paloka, as well as by Mrs. Lindita Hyseni from the civic society.
In the framework of Europe Week, the meeting was called “Europe goes back to school”, and it was organized in the form of an open discussion among the city’s High School students and everyone present in the panel. Albania’s European Integration process, the steps that should be taken, the strong role of youth during this process, as well as knowledge on the programs that the EU offers for the youth were some of the topics addressed.
The high school students of Puka, expressed interest in the questions they asked, especially on matters that have to do with the European Integration, what are the “hotspots” of this process like, why do we continue being tested on the same topic, and many other questions.
The tasks that Albania must achieve, as well as the youth’s strength to influence the process, were some of the answers of the European Delegation representatives attending the meeting.
Part of the education and training programs offered by the EU are projects like Erasmus +, as well as other facilities that can be accessed through applications, scholarships offered by different EU countries, etc.
The city’s Mayor, Mr Gjonaj, focused on the work performed during these years, what the local government offered for the youth, the projects won and implemented, and the employment facilities, while talking about tourism, as a possibility for the youth, considering what the nature in Puka has to offer.
The EU representatives expressed the desire to go back to school and to discuss with the youth their problems, as well as to share with them the best examples on the European Integration process.
The European Integration and Foreign Assistance Coordination Unit in the Municipality of Puka will organize such events periodically with different interest groups of the city.