A group of Turkish students organized a study visit in Albania, from May 16 to 20, in collaboration with the Council of Europe, Sida funded, project “Strengthening Democratic Citizenship Education in Albania”. The aim of this study visit was to introduce the participants with the whole school model and democratic school practices being used in primary and lower-secondary education (grade 4-9) in Albania and share experiences and best practices on them.

22 lower-secondary school children from the 10 pilot provinces of the Turkish project, accompanied by 10 teachers and representatives of the Ministry of National Education, had the opportunity to visit Tirana and its surroundings and cooperate in activities based on the Reference Framework on Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC). Group discussions, as well sports, dancing and artistic performances allowed them to understand the value but also the acknowledge the challenge of collaborating with peers of a different culture and speaking a different language. The group could discover the country and its traditions, while Albanian schools were excited to host them in a spirit of multiculturalism.

The most prominent topical subject discussed is that of the environment and sustainability. The group was invited at the Ministry of Education and Sports, where they met with the National Student’s Parliament as well as representatives of the National Parliament, members of the Parliamentary Group "Friends of Children", which aims at establishing a constructive dialogue between public institutions, civil society organisations and key actors to ensure the protection of children's rights in all areas. Both Turkish and Albanian children were given space during the panel to present some of the activities they held in their schools in relation to the preservation of the environment and to the issue of ensuring a sustainable consumption of resources.

At this occasion, the Albanian Minister of Education and Sports, Evis Kushi, welcomed all children and introduced the topic, by highlighting the efforts made in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to advance the human right to a clean and healthy environment. The Education Counsellor Metin Bulut, from the Turkish Embassy in Tirana, also delivered opening remarks highlighting the fruitful collaboration between the two countries. The Turkish delegation was welcomed also by the Head of Council of Europe office in Tirana, Jutta Gutskow, and the Deputy Major of Tirana, Keti Luarasi.

The visit included reflections on the RFCDC and the link of activities and visits done with it. Children realised the importance of empathy, diversity, collaboration, teamwork, and civic mindedness, among others, and were able to discuss and think critically about matters important to them.