As part of the winter school “EU Integration and the Role of Youth in this Process,” session number 07 of the meetings with lecturers was held, focusing on the topic “Community Engagement and Human Rights.” This session was led by activist Deni Sanxhaku.
The discussion emphasized that community engagement goes beyond mere participation; it serves to positively influence behavior, policies, and culture. Participants were encouraged to understand that such engagement is essential for improving their lives and the community in which they live, including the protection of common interests and the promotion of democracy at the local level.
Following the discussion, concrete ways of active involvement in the community were addressed. The lecturer shared various examples of actions that can be taken to promote quality of life and protect the shared interests of citizens. A key part of the session was the differentiation between advocacy and activism, as well as discussions about community initiatives. Participants were introduced to specific cases of community initiatives in Albania and the challenges they face, while the lecturer suggested ways to support these initiatives and engaged activists.
In conclusion, participants were divided into groups to carry out a practical exercise. Each group analyzed different situations of civic engagement, taking on various roles such as citizens, students, and activists. They discussed strategies to act for the benefit of the community, addressing issues such as the increase in public transport fares without improvements in service quality, river pollution, and laws that threaten protected areas. The session concluded with reflections on the importance of continuous community engagement and the steps that can be taken to make positive changes.
