“On Local Democracy and the role of local councils for public participation in decision-making” – an open debate with students

The “Offshore” show “Art&Debate” this time was transferred to the “Alexander Moisiu” theater in Durrës.
A group of panelists, journalist, activists, politicians and local government representatives discussed with young people in order to encourage them to be more active in the development of local policies and election processes.
The project combined the scenic show of the satirical comedy “Offshore” of Polish author Slavomir Mrozhek, with public debate.
This work deals with the absurdities of people in power, whom at any circumstance do not hesitate for a single moment to oppress and violate the smallest, the powerless ones. Simple voters seem to be the unpowered, as long as they do not react, will not oppose this inequality.
Young people should not get into the ranks of the unpowered people. They have to understand once and for all how powerful the vote is and the power of their civic engagement.
Present at the debate was the President of Tirana Regional Council also Chairman of the Municipal Council, Mr. Aldrin Dalipi. He emphasized that the decline of youth interest toward public activity is not only an Albanian phenomenon.
While was asked how a young man should be integrated and what he should do at the beginning of his career, Mr. Dalipi said: “Young people should perform their school steps very successfully. So, come up with high scores. The time has come for educated and skilled people to thrive in Albania and in the region, and from them is expected to be able to achieve high performance.”
Art & Debate will serve as an alternative way to promote local democracy in Albania, as part of the projects granted from “Lëviz Albania” (funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), which encourages civil society organizations, individuals and their groups, to change the level of local democracy, promote local policies that strengthen the role of youth in local decision making.