Thursday, February 28, 2013

The first national course of the Albanian School of Political Studies named “Political Parties and elections” took place in Pogradec from 22-24 February 2013.  About 22 participants actively learned and shared theories and experiences with particular focus on the developments in Albania over the last 20 years. The course started with an Introduction to political communication; theoretical aspects– a brief presentation on contemporary approaches to political communication, by Mr Alban Bala, PR practitioner, Founder of the Albanian Institute of Public of Relations. Mr. Blendi Kajsiu PHD and Political Scientist, provided a presentation on the concept and relevance of political ideologies followed by a discussion on the extent of state regulation of the market and society, with a specific view to the recent research of OSFA–Soros on the Albanian political leaders discourse. Comparative view of the electoral systems, the chronology of elections and their related concerns since the establishment of the Albanian state with particular focus over the last 20 years, were provided by two of the best Albanian experts, Mr Kastriot Islami, MP and Member of the Albanian delegation to PACE and Mr. Oerd Bylykbashi, Chief of Cabinet, Council of Ministers and electoral reform expert. The participants discussed the practical implementatin of the electoral code and especially in the focus of the upcoming elections of 23 June. The ASPS provided also a copy of the new electoral code for each of the participants.   Mr Afrim Krasniqi, political scientist and former adviser of the President of Albania, addressed the topic of internal democracy in the Albanian political system. The comparison between the internal democracy best practices with the current practice of Albanian political parties, created the practical approach to the topic. The topics covered by this course were carefully selected and put in a logic order to complement and support each other.