YEAs mark International Day of Democracy in Albania

The International Day of Democracy was commemorated in Rreshen, Albania, with a two-day event held at the City Council of Rreshen on 2nd and 3rd of November. Organized to engage local youth in democratic values and processes, the event welcomed 46 participants from Rreshen High School.

The event featured interactive discussions and activities aimed at raising awareness about democracy, human rights, and civic participation. YEAs Xhuljana Mucaj, Daniela Kortoci, and Ema Mecaj played a key role in facilitating the sessions, engaging students in meaningful dialogue about the importance of active citizenship and democratic engagement.

First day included interactive sessions covering youth perspectives on democracy, the role of elections, and insights from the latest report by International IDEA on democracy in the Western Balkans. Through debates and group discussions, participants explored challenges facing youth in democratic processes, shared their views on Albania’s EU accession, and reflected on the representation of youth in decision-making.

Second day introduced creative forms of civic engagement, focusing on “Artivism” as a tool for youth expression and a hands-on simulation of local governance. The students used art to represent social issues important to them, such as education and community well-being. In the “Election Ville” simulation, they formed fictional political parties and practiced decision-making on resource allocation for local priorities like environment and healthcare. This interactive approach highlighted the youth’s strong interest in EU values and democratic involvement, demonstrating Rreshen’s potential for future YEA recruitment and initiatives.