The First Conference of Barvalipe “ViMeSomAkate” School
THE FIRST BARVALIPE “ViMeSomAkate” SCHOOL CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED!
The success of this time is this project implemented by Roma Versitas Albania and funded by Roma Initiatives Office from the Open Society Foundation. This project will bring changes to the Roma community in Albania, starting from the name, a school which will form nine Leaderships that will gain the necessary knowledge in three main areas: Community organization, community guidance and analysis of policies. Leaders from the Roma community are: Rogers Lufta, Behije Kodra, Fatma Azemi, Shaban Lufta, Anxhela Arbiti, Dorina Azemi, Raxhi Rakipi, Klaudjo Taho and Albi Veizi. I want to thank the activists who in the ’90s began to defend the rights of the Roma community in Albania, although many activists, teachers of the Roma community have lobbied and advocated to have a dignified life in this Albanian society, the time has come for us youth to do more.
We believe in this new model to change the future of our people, where for years now the situation still remains the same and more the same problems. This model could enable us as the Leader of tomorrow to represent our community in this chain that has many links – said Rogers Lufta In this important conference for Barvalipe School was present the Deputy Mayor of Tirana Mrs. Brunilda Paskali , who welcomed this initiative saying that the Municipality of Tirana will always offer its support to Roma youth who will become community leaders. She stressed that in recent years the Municipality is looking at the Roma issue with great importance by investing in housing projects for this community. Mrs. Paskali. Adem Ademi, who will coordinate the project is another international activist, I would say, after lobbying hard for Roma causes in the Balkans, he explains to us what the Barvalipe School means. “It is the best system that can contribute to building a nucleus of Roma professionals, intellectuals and leaders, who can grow into individuals who bring about change and promote integrity.
With its activities envisaged over a total period of three years, it offers many opportunities
direct and exclusive to develop individually as well as in groups, as in becoming a capable Roma leader, but also for the development of a group that will share common goals. The program consists of trainings, seminars, individual and group mentoring, study visits, internships / internships, merit-based advancement, experimental learning, short internships and a considerable number of other methodological approaches that will support developing leaders individually and in groups. Barvalipe School Albania is filling the most important gap – providing learning about Roma leadership for those graduates who need to further develop data on collective identity for themselves and future generations. In this way he will do to strengthen the common spirit of the selected participants in Barvalipe, building on the principles and values to be respected.
Barvalipe School Albania – “Vi Me Som Akate” aims to build a community of proud young Roma professionals and intellectuals – ready to become leaders who will lead people, organizations and policies in Albania. In parallel, the project aims to root leadership behaviors in the Roma community, political leaders and non-profit organizations for collective purposes, gradually “burying” feelings of inferiority and strengthening understanding within the community.
During the Conference, the Leaders presented three awards to activists who have worked hard in three areas: Teacher, Media and Roma Child Care. The awards were given to Mr. Arben Kosturi, who has lobbied and advocated through the media, talking about Roma culture and the problems encountered in this community. The second prize was awarded to Mrs. Selvije Rushiti, who has opened the first association for the rights of Roma women, and the third prize was awarded to Mr. Latif Kazanxhiu, who for a very long time has taught Roma children in Baltëz, Fier, especially Roma language lessons. At the end of the conference it was closed with the signing of the Leaders contracts, which symbolizes the start of their work towards the Leader of their future and of the community.
