National / international intercultural dialogue
Through the arts, religion, academia, diaspora, tourism, government events, embassies and civil society, Albania has invested increasingly in diverse intercultural dialogue, beginning with the change of the political regime in 1990. There are ongoing regional Balkan youth initiatives on reconciliation and collaboration using intercultural learning and non-violent communication approaches.
2008 was the European Union Designated Year for Intercultural Dialogue. A 2009 National Strategy on Intercultural, Interfaith and Interethnic Dialogue62 was prepared, following up on Albania’s membership in the Group of Friends to the Alliance of Civilizations and the recommendations by the High-Level Group of the General Secretary of the UN in 2006. The strategy was based on documents like the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, AoC documents as well and a commitment of the Government of Albania to achieve the standards of the framework of the Euro-Atlantic integration, and the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions63 in areas including education, youth, emigration and media.
The Institute for Romani Culture in Albania64 (IRCA), established in 2011, is a Roma NGO that stands for a multi-ethnic and inclusive society, and is very active in activities about intercultural understanding, reconciliation and acceptance.
Further steps were taken with the establishment of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) on July 4, 2016, an independently functioning institutional mechanism, founded by the Western Balkans 6 Prime Ministers and participants (WB 6), an initiative of the Berlin Process65: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia aim to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programmes. NGOs like International Voluntary Projects (Projekte Vullnetare Nderkombetare66), International Co-operative Centre (ICC), Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Institute for Activism and Social Change (IANS) and others also do important work in intercultural dialogue. Universities, programmes like Erasmus + and other academic exchanges, including religious institutions, also play a role.
Nationally, there are ongoing efforts to increase awareness of the Roma language and Culture at all education levels and recognize Roma culture as part of Albania’s cultural heritage, as well as the importance of Roma youth participation in decision-making, public life, and the importance of professional qualifications.
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