Albanian Professor Has the Time of Her Life Learning about American Cultural Diversity
In June, Ms. Brunilda Kondi, professor of American culture and literature at Tirana University, took part in a 6-week Study of the U.S. Institute on American Civilization. The State Department-sponsored course, hosted by New York University, examined the issue of reconciling cultural diversity with national unity. Professor Kondi could not contain her enthusiasm while describing her first visit to the U.S: “It was outstanding! The best part of it was the integration of lectures, panel discussions and field trips. While all the content of the course is a great contribution to what I do at the university…the benefit of this program extends further. I had the chance to learn about 18 other cultures and tell the other participants about my culture.” Acceptance into a Study of the U.S. Institute is extremely competitive; Public Affairs is very proud that Prof. Kondi was selected for participation.
Domestic Monitors Present Final Report
Public Affairs staff attended the press conference of the Albanian Coalition of Domestic Monitors, who observed the voting process of the June 28 parliamentary elections by engaging 2,500 monitors around the country. The Coalition presented its final report on the process. This initiative was funded by Public Affairs through the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. The audience included monitors of the Coalition, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of international organizations. Leading broadcast media covered the event extensively.
State Police Reach Milestone with ICITAP Help
Another milestone in the reform of the State Police was reached with the promotion of 58 patrol generalists from Vice Inspector to Inspector at the Tirana Regional Directorate. The September 4th promotion ceremony was held for officers who have successfully completed their 22-week Basic Training, 22 week-Field Training Officer (FTO) Program, and two-year probationary period. This new generation of police officers in Albania are part of the ICITAP-developed Recruitment Program, Basic Course Training and FTO Program.
USAID and Albanian Business Community Push for Administrative Courts
Heads of 28 business associations from all corners of Albania met in Tirana to step up efforts to lobby for an administrative courts law. The associations are starting an intensive campaign this month aimed at mobilizing business and public support behind creating a modern courts system with the capability to adjudicate administrative cases fairly and efficiently. The group is lobbying hard to put the issue at the front of Parliament’s fall agenda. At the event, USAID Albania Director Roberta Mahoney commended the extraordinary efforts of the business community to advocate for judicial reform. Under the Millennium Challenge Corporation Albania Threshold Agreement II, USAID will work with Albania’s government and judiciary to establish the administrative courts once the law is passed.
Weekly Eco-Gram: Taking Climate Change Seriously
When it comes to facing the challenges of climate change, President Obama is taking the U.S. in a new direction. The President is working with Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to protect our nation from the serious economic and strategic risks associated with our reliance on oil and the destabilizing effects of a changing climate. He is supporting policies that advance energy and climate security and will promote economic recovery efforts, accelerate job creation, and drive clean energy manufacturing. But, while strong U.S. action is necessary, it is not sufficient. This is a crisis that demands a global solution. Over 80% of future green house gas emissions will come from developing countries. Addressing climate change is an economic opportunity, not a burden. The link between clean, sustainable energy and robust economic growth is the hallmark of the 21st century global economy.
The Muslims Who Saved The Jews
August 30, 2009
Host Liane Hansen speaks with photographer Norman Gershman about his book "Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II," which is also the subject of a documentary called "God's House." Gershman spent five years collecting stories of Albanian Muslims who harbored Jewish refugees during World War II. (Transcript of Interview)
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Ramadan Message
Washington, DC
On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.
Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month. (full remarks)
Adventures in Albania’s Far North
On August 24, anthropologist Antonia Young discussed her work with the Balkan Peace Park, an entity straddling the borders of Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Macedonia, that focuses on economic development opportunities, English teaching, and archeological research. Dr. Young’s work with the park for more than 10 years has enabled her to collect many stories about the unique culture and traditions among Albanians in the remote mountainous area, including gender roles, community organization, and the “sworn virgins”: women who become men. This is Dr. Young’s second time at the embassy to present her work with the Balkan Peace Park, which Public Affairs has sponsored for the past few years.
Embassy Welcomes New Community Members
On August 14, the Management Office organized a “Meet and Greet” reception in the rose garden to welcome recently arrived members of the embassy community. Ambassador Withers also took the opportunity to announce the new “Lani Adami” award for local employees. The award is named for an Albanian embassy employee in the 1920s who was arrested because of that employment and tortured. He later died from his injuries. The award will be given to an employee who exemplifies those qualities synonymous with Mr. Adami’s service, namely integrity, dedication, and courage in the face of difficult circumstances.
DCM Gives Send-Off to YES Program Exchange Students
On August 13, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Deborah Jones and Acting Public Affairs Officer Leigh Rieder welcomed Albania’s first participants in the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program to the embassy for a friendly pre-departure chat. The informal discussion touched on U.S. cultural diversity and the opportunity the students will have to educate Americans about Albania. The YES Program sends high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to the U.S. for one academic year to attend high school and live with a local family.
Embassy Bids Farewell to English Language Fellow
Supported by Public Affairs, English Language Fellow Celeste Coleman worked at Aleksandёr Xhuvani University in Elbasan during the past year to improve English language instruction there and in the surrounding community. She collaborated with university faculty to create or redesign several course curricula and taught the university’s fourth year English students, who were preparing to become teachers in local schools. Celeste taught methodology and professional development courses to this group, and also supervised them through the processes of their teaching practicum and diploma thesis. In addition, she taught an academic writing class to the university’s first year students, and presented at several international conferences. We appreciate Celeste’s accomplishments in Albania and wish her well in her future endeavors.
Albania Represented at Ben Franklin Transatlantic Fellows
Alumni Conference
Anri Kodhelaj, Patricia Myslymi, Denisa Qori, and Era Tushaj returned happy and full of ideas for community service after attending the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Alumni Conference held at the American University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. The program brings high school-aged youth together for leadership development in a cross-cultural context. The alumni conference featured opportunities for participants to grapple with Roma (and other minority) rights, the role of religion in democratic societies, and other cutting-edge issues.
USAID’s Roberta Mahoney: “Albanians, Raise Your Voice”
On August 4, weekly magazine Klan printed an interview with USAID Country Director Roberta Mahoney, on Albania’s economy, corruption and tourism. Mahoney highlighted the steps that Albania has taken in its fight against corruption, though she emphasized there’s still work to do. She called on citizens to raise their voice, to not tolerate corruption, but to denounce it. Mahoney commented on USAID’s economic development programs in Albania, and said that now the focus is on promoting Albania’s tourism and culture abroad. “Albania is a beautiful country, with a wonderful shoreline and great hospitality,” she said.
U.S. and Albania Hold Joint Counter-Narcotics Training
The U.S. Navy, in conjunction with the Albanian Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Finance conducted over two weeks of counter-narcotics training near Vlorë, Albania, July 13-30. US Navy Seals trained Albanian Naval Forces in the proper techniques for intercepting, boarding, search and seizure.
This was the first exercise that involved the command and control of the maritime agencies in Albania from the Intra-agency Maritime Operations Center (IMOC). In the photo, an Albanian patrol boat intercepts a suspected narcotics mother ship, as a second patrol boat provides security during the training exercise.
Ambassador
Embassy Events
September_2009
