OSCE Presence brings together youth and Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to discuss COVID-19 measures

Young people are agents of change, and they have a say also in the COVID-19 situation. With this aim, on 29 April 2020 in Tirana, the OSCE Presence in Albania brought together its Youth Advisory Group and the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Albania, the work of the Albanian Delegation and youth involvement.

Ditmir Bushati, Chair of the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and members Elona Gjebrea and Rudina Hajdari shared with the youth group how they have been adapting their work under the pandemic. They also explained how they continue to communicate and co-operate with colleagues from other OSCE participating States, especially because Albania is Chair of the OSCE this year. They also talked about measures the Albanian Assembly has taken to respond to the current crisis.

During the meeting, Bernd Borchardt, Head of the OSCE Presence, welcomed the quick adaption and reaction of the Albanian parliament to the COVID-19 situation.

Members of the Parliament, youth group, and OSCE staff also discussed the importance of the rule of law and oversight role of parliaments, as well as electoral reform and 2021 elections during COVID-19.

The parliamentarians praised the gender balance of the Youth Advisory Group and invited them to continue to give their opinion about measures taken to cope with the pandemic in Albania, stressing the important role youth have in engaging in the political and economic life of the country.

The Youth Advisory Group helps the OSCE Presence’s efforts to integrate a youth perspective with its programmatic activities.