Stories
"Enough" is enough of inaction, say Albanians
14 March 2003
"Don't get too comfy, be seen"
This line from an Albanian poem is the motto of the MJAFT! campaign, aimed at shaking established thought in the country. The campaign is an initiative of two civil associations, Balkans YouthLink and the Albanian National Debate Association. It is also a joint effort from a wide variety of Albanian civil groups, who believe that democracy and good governance can only be achieved with constructive civil participation.
"People are resigned to a reality they think they cannot change, immune to corruption and tolerant of injustices. The average citizen appears to have signed a 'certificate of silence' and given up on trying to seek solutions. This reality should and must change," says Erion Veliaj, campaign director and member of the Balkans YouthLink association.
Setting a new trend
As part of the campaign, several events will be organized throughout the country on themes including fight against corruption, poverty, violence, trafficking, pollution, and unethical or unresponsive politics. Activities such as public debates, city hall meetings, concerts, and large-scale media events will engage Albanians from North and South, urban and rural, home and abroad.
Arbjan Mazniku from the Albanian National Debate Association and the campaign's executive producer, explains the campaign in economic terms. "It is the demand and supply law. Demand is feeble, so the incentives for government to 'supply' are low. The answer is clear - public attitudes to these endemic problems must change and citizen demand needs a major boost."
Another image of Albania
The campaign also aims at improving Albania's image abroad and showing that the country has a dynamic civil society working for change.
Marinela Lika, campaign co-ordinator, sees the MJAFT! campaign as an opportunity to present a different Albania to the word. Together with Top Channel and Top Albania Radio, two of the prominent radio and television stations in the country, the organizers have created a publicity campaign for a country with great potential and a promising future.
With significant funding from the Netherlands Embassy in Tirana, the initiative underscores the efforts of the Netherlands OSCE Chairmanship to support human rights, democracy and good governance. The American, British and German embassies in Tirana, as well as the UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme and the Open Society Foundation for Albania are providing additional support to the project, while the OSCE Presence in Albania, its field offices and the Civil Society Development Centres are key partners in the implementation phase.
This line from an Albanian poem is the motto of the MJAFT! campaign, aimed at shaking established thought in the country. The campaign is an initiative of two civil associations, Balkans YouthLink and the Albanian National Debate Association. It is also a joint effort from a wide variety of Albanian civil groups, who believe that democracy and good governance can only be achieved with constructive civil participation.
"People are resigned to a reality they think they cannot change, immune to corruption and tolerant of injustices. The average citizen appears to have signed a 'certificate of silence' and given up on trying to seek solutions. This reality should and must change," says Erion Veliaj, campaign director and member of the Balkans YouthLink association.
Setting a new trend
As part of the campaign, several events will be organized throughout the country on themes including fight against corruption, poverty, violence, trafficking, pollution, and unethical or unresponsive politics. Activities such as public debates, city hall meetings, concerts, and large-scale media events will engage Albanians from North and South, urban and rural, home and abroad.
Arbjan Mazniku from the Albanian National Debate Association and the campaign's executive producer, explains the campaign in economic terms. "It is the demand and supply law. Demand is feeble, so the incentives for government to 'supply' are low. The answer is clear - public attitudes to these endemic problems must change and citizen demand needs a major boost."
Another image of Albania
The campaign also aims at improving Albania's image abroad and showing that the country has a dynamic civil society working for change.
Marinela Lika, campaign co-ordinator, sees the MJAFT! campaign as an opportunity to present a different Albania to the word. Together with Top Channel and Top Albania Radio, two of the prominent radio and television stations in the country, the organizers have created a publicity campaign for a country with great potential and a promising future.
With significant funding from the Netherlands Embassy in Tirana, the initiative underscores the efforts of the Netherlands OSCE Chairmanship to support human rights, democracy and good governance. The American, British and German embassies in Tirana, as well as the UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme and the Open Society Foundation for Albania are providing additional support to the project, while the OSCE Presence in Albania, its field offices and the Civil Society Development Centres are key partners in the implementation phase.