The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe co-organised, in partnership with the city of Tirana, a seminar on Roma inclusion at the local level in Tirana, Albania, on 11 October 2018. In particular, participants discussed the prospect of creating a national Albanian network of mayors for Roma inclusion.
Launched within the framework of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers, these national networks provide platforms for discussion, in which mayors can meet and exchange good practice. The Congress already contributed, in 2017, to the establishment of a national network in Ukraine and the strengthening of the Greek network.
Participants also discussed the issue of the right to housing, both from the point of view of the new Albanian legislation, adopted in 2018 with the support of the Council of Europe, and from the perspective of international law. The agenda of the meeting was also included a presentation of the ROMACTED Program of the Council of Europe.
On the sidelines of the seminar, a ceremony was organised for the signing of the Congress Declaration against Anti-Gypsyism by several Albanian municipalities. The declaration gives mayors the opportunity to take a public stand against discrimination against Roma. To date, it has been signed by 103 local or regional elected representatives.
Speakers included Andi SEFERI, Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Miranda RIRA, Mayor of Prrenjas, John WARMISHAM, Congress Spokesperson on Roma and Travellers, Majlinda BUFI, Mayor of Roskovec,, Voltana ADEMI, Mayor of Shkoder and member of the Albanian Association of Local Authorities, as well as Adelina FARRICI, Executive Director of the Association of Albanian Local Self-Government.
