Monday, February 15, 2010

The first national course of the Albanian School of Political Studies named “Political Parties” took place in Pogradec (Albania) from 28-31 January 2010. The objectives of the course were divided into three main components:
i)    Comprehensive view on the functioning, roles and main ideologies of political parties in democracy. The Albanian law and constitutional provisions on the organisation and operation of political parties in the Albanian context.
ii)    Electoral systems, the chronology of elections and their related concerns over last 20 years in Albania. Issues related to the elections management and financing of political parties and campaign.
iii)    Political communication. Relations between political parties, state, media and the public. Practical information and role plays on political communication, electoral campaigns and culture of dialogue.

About 34 participants actively learned and shared theories and experiences with particular focus on the developments in Albania over the last 20 years. The topics covered by this course were carefully selected and put in a logic order to complement and support each other. In order to ensure a high level of presentation and interactive methods of communication and learning, an experienced pool of experts were invited to address the school participants. Another important aspect in the programme of the course was the visit and discussion with Mr Artan Shkembi, the mayor of Pogradec. His valuable experience and communicative approach not only provided the local dimension of applied policies but was also a very practical illustration of the main topics discussed during the course. In order to establish ties between different generations of the school, school alumni were invited to attend and moderate the seminars and workshops during the course.