“A common issue for the entire Balkans, is that we still do not have the roads to travel quickly and conveniently between the countries”, said Irina Alexieva, Director of the Bulgarian School of Politics, in her opening address. She wished the participants could be the ones to build roads – between the countries and between the peoples. Olsi Dekovi, Director of the Albanian School for Political Studies, also gave a welcoming address.

Leadership in the 21st century was the key topic presented by Adrian Krasta, a lecturer on public communications at the University of Pristina and one of the most popular opinion leaders in Albania over the past 20 years. Participants also discussed the role of parties and citizens in setting the public agenda with Hartmut Pürner, Director of Democracy and Civil Society at the OSCE Presence in Albania.

During the seminar, the participants took part in a simulation game on team building and leadership. They also worked in small groups on a case study about local planning and sustainable development. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met with Minister Edmond Haxhinasto.

The “Political Debate in South-East Europe” programme has been running for eight years already. To date, more than 200 young politicians, civic activists and journalists have benefited from the training.