Thursday, November 08, 2012
08 November 2012 - The Albanian School of Political Studies (ASPS) handed over diplomas to a new group of students on a graduation ceremony that took place today at Tirana International Hotel. Thirty three students received their diplomas upon successful completion of a one-year period of study. Present at this event were President H.E.Mr. Bujar Nishani, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mrs. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni and the Deputy Swiss Ambassador, Mr. John Ruhoff. The special guests together with ASPS management issued diplomas, congratulated the new graduates and expressed their willingness to continue supporting the school.
The Deputy Swiss Ambassador Mr. John Ruhoff greeted those present and congratulated the new graduates. “I am pleased to see that a very good tradition we started a few years ago is continuing”, said Mr. Ruhoff. “We view the preparation, training and certification of future leaders, legislators and public administrators as yet another crucial contribution for Albania’s progress”, added the deputy Ambassador. He emphasized that the school is an effective instrument in shaping Albania’s future political leadership and in imparting the values of tolerance, dialogue and openness.
“The experience in Central and Eastern Europe has shown that Schools can contribute meaningfully to the reinforcement of democracy and a healthier political culture”, said the Deputy Secretary General of Council of Europe, Mrs. Battaini-Dragoni. She also congratulated the new graduates and stated that from now on the graduates are ambassadors and advocates of principles and values upheld by the Council of Europe.
“This graduation coincides with the 100th anniversary of our independence and also with the completion of Albania’s presidency of the Council of Europe”, said President Nishani. “This is a pleasant coincidence as all these events point to our goal, that of democratic values and European integration”, added the President while addressing the graduates.
In his speech, the Programme Director of the Albanian School of Political Studies Mr. Erjon Tase thanked the Council of Europe and the Swiss Cooperation for their support. “Leaders of today or tomorrow need to learn more, to share their ideas with others and in this way to improve themselves and their way of leadership”, said in his speech Mr. Tase. “A growing interest year after year to become part of our programme and the positive experience so far, lead us to believe that this programme is successful and at the same time necessary for our future leaders“, continued Mr. Tase.
After the speeches from special guests, two new graduates shared their experience and described their journey through the study year. “The School of Political Studies challenged my way of thinking, offered to me new knowledge, restructured old knowledge”, said one the new alumni, Suela Lala. 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. One of the main objectives of the ASPS is to promote a political leadership which is accountable and ethical. Swiss support enabled the School to increase its number of courses and include local and regional governance as a special theme.
