Monday, October 24, 2011

Thursday, October 20th, Tirana – During a graduation ceremony today the Albanian School of Political Studies (ASPS) handed over diplomas to a new group of students. All 23 students were issued diplomas upon successful completion of a one-year period of study. In the presence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Bamir Topi, the Swiss Ambassador, H.E. Yvana Enzler, and the Head of Council of Europe, Mr. Marco Leidekker, the ASPS staff issued diplomas, congratulated the new graduates and called for a continuation of support to the school. Swiss Ambassador, H.E. Yvana Enzler expressed satisfaction with the contribution provided by the School to the political and public administration sphere in Albania. “It is crucial to prepare, train and certify the future leaders, administrators and legislators who are now working or will work at some point in time in the public sphere”, said Ambassador Enzler. “I am sure that this School is, in all respects, an effective instrument in shaping Albania’s future political leadership”, added the Ambassador. She also mentioned another achievement related to the gender balance among the graduates: “It is encouraging to see that more women are enrolled and that a higher quota of female participants is promoted by the School”. Currently around 55% of the school’s attendants are female. “The Albanian School of Political Studies has achieved success and after five years we can say confidently that now a new tradition is in place”, said President Topi. “You have the right to become a visionary part of the Albanian society in all spheres: in the media, in politics and in institutional policies, because Albania really has a great need there”, added the President while addressing the graduates. The President also issued diplomas to the students during the award ceremony. “Through its support, the Council of Europe, aims to foster a political culture, which is open for change and for new ideas, which respects the law and international obligations, which is democratic in nature, exercises its powers reasoned and proportionally, and prefers dialogue“, said the Head of Council of Europe, Mr. Marco Leidekker. He also congratulated the new graduates and emphasised the important role of training and educating future political leaders in order to further develop democratic institutions in Albania. “The participation in this programme, in this ‘battlefield of ideas’ plays an important role in shaping identity and socializing”, said in his speech the School’s Programme Director, Mr. Marsel Çapi. “This is the identity of the professional leader, who is able to engage and to take responsibility, the need for which continues to be felt today in the Albanian society”, emphasized Mr. Çapi. After the speeches from special guests, participants also heard two cases of testimonials from graduated students. One of the main objectives of the ASPS is to promote a political leadership which is accountable and ethical. The event closed with the awarding of diplomas and a brief reception. The Albanian School of Political Studies was initially set up by the Council of Europe and is currently  supported by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Albania. Swiss support enabled the School to increase its number of courses from 3 to 5 and include local and regional governance as a special theme. As the process of decentralisation gains more attention, it becomes of paramount importance that leaders and public administration employees in communes, municipalities and prefectures are well-trained and knowledgeable about local government functions. This fits with the Swiss Cooperation’s strategy in Albania which includes strengthening of local government functioning as a special theme.   Every year a new generation of aspiring as well as practicing political and public administration actors enter the school and receive diplomas. Like in other similar schools in the region – established by the Council of Europe – the ASPS targets the elite and aims at infusing the values of dialogue, transparency and consensus among future political leaders. The Swiss Cooperation pays special attention to strengthening local government and advancing the decentralisation process in Albania. In the framework of its Cooperation Strategy with Albania (2010-2013), Switzerland commits approximately one third of its budget resources towards strengthening local government, the rule of law and decentralisation.