High school students meet state leaders as part of OSCE Presence civil education project in Albania

The OSCE Presence in Albania, in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science, organized a study visit for 50 students from Vlora, Kukës and Tirana to meet President Bamir Topi, Assembly Speaker Jozefina Topalli, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Head of the Constitutional Court, Bashkim Dedja on 4 November 2011.

“Albania is a young democracy and has a young population. Active citizens are needed to build the future and education is crucial for developing an active citizenship. Valuable inspiration comes through first-hand experience, and this study visit is an excellent opportunity for young people to meet their leaders personally,” said the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth.

“The OSCE Presence is assisting with curriculum reform and I firmly believe that these eventual reforms will greatly strengthen civic education in the country.”

The study visit is part of the Presence’s project to build an active citizenship. The development of the civic education curriculum and teaching methods are being assessed as part of the project, and a reform proposal will be developed with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Institute for Curricular Development.