Friday, November 11, 2016

The participants of the Albanian School of Political Studies participated from 6-10 November 2016 at the fifth World Forum for Democracy, organized by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. This event gathered about 2,000 people – especially participants of 21 Schools of Political Studies, political leaders, civil society activists, media representatives and youth - under the main theme "Education as the face of new challenges to democracy". Some of the prominent speakers of the Forum were the secretary general of the Council of Europe Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, the Norwegian Prime Minister Mrs. Erna Solberg and French Minister of Education, Mrs. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.

The 2016 Forum was attended by academics, politicians, practitioners and young people from all over the world, focusing on two main themes:
Citizenship, democracy and education
Education bridging social divides: pass or fail?

Over 19 labs, addressing the challenges to be faced in different forms and presenting certain initiatives already in place, tried to bring a democratic response to the problems discussed throughout the Forum.

In addition to the program of the Forum, the participants of the Albanian School of Political Studies held an informative visit and meeting with Albanian judge in the Court of Human Rights, Mr Ledi Bianku and were welcomed by Ambassador Ms. Ardiana Hobdari at the Albanian diplomatic mission to the Council of Europe. The event also served as the finalization of the academic year cycle 2016 of the School. The graduation ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni.