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• 10.05.2015

  Celebration of the AADF Partnership with Peace Corps

  

  The AADF and Peace Corps have partnered to fund high impact youth leadership events throughout Albania. The leadership development camps are specifically tailored for high school students and aim to build leadership skills, develop critical thinking and self-confidence, and increase awareness on gender equality and the environment. The events and camps held throughout the country include: Outdoor Ambassadors Club, Youth Leadership retreats, Model United Nations, Write On!, and Girls Lead Our World (GLOW). In 2015, over 300 girls attended GLOW camps held in 16 different Albanian cities. Earlier this year, 40 participants from various GLOW camps were invited to a national event to discuss expansion of the program to other Albanian cities.  The AADF and Peace Corps celebrated the success of the leadership activities at Tirana Youth Center where Peace Corps volunteers and GLOW camp participants shared their experiences. Social Welfare and Youth Minister Klosi issued certificates of recognition to Albanian Volunteers who joined the Peace Corps Volunteers in the 2015 activities.

• 09.10.2015

  2nd Annual GLOW National Conference

  

  The AADF – Peace Corps Partnership completed 2 years of joint activities in area of youth leadership development. From September 7^th to the 10^th, 41 girls from across Albania met at Hotel Bleart in Durrës to attend the 2^nd Annual GLOW National Conference. These girls hailed from cities as far north as Bajram Curri and as far south as Delvinë, from towns as small as Gramsh, Memaliaj, and Rubik to cities as large as Berat, Tirana, and Korça. In total 20 cities were represented at the event. The conference was the culmination of a series of 20 day camps which took place throughout the country from June to September 2015, with over 300 participants. The national event gathered the girls with the greatest potential to advance GLOW in Albania. Central topics included sensitive issues like women’s health, gender equality, domestic violence, addictions, human trafficking, self-empowerment, self-esteem, leadership, communication skills, and team building. Special guest speakers included U.S. Ambassador Lu and his wife Dr. Ariel Ahart and AADF Co-CEO Martin Mata, who were involved in inspiring conversations with the participants. In order to strengthen sustainability and future outreach of GLOW, organizers increased the number of Albanian volunteers involved as support for Peace Corps volunteers.

• 04.13.2015

  2015 Albanian Model United Nations

  

  The opening ceremony for the sixth annual Albanian Model United Nations was held at the Albanian Parliament. The AMUN conference is organized in order to raise awareness in international affairs and issues of global concern. Student participants learn caucusing, resolution writing, and the process of proposing amendments. AMUN fosters leadership, conflict resolution, research skills, writing, and problem solving among students. The event was made possible by the Ministry of Education and Sport, the AADF, and Peace Corps. This year’s special guests included the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Ilir Meta, AADF Chairman Mr. Michael Granoff and Minister of Education and Sport, Ms. Lindita Nikolla, UND Resident Coordinator Zineb Touimi Benjelloun, and the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission.

• 09.13.2014

  Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) – National Conference

  

  Following the 15 day camps around the country, the GLOW activities for 2014 culminated in the national event held from September 11 through 13, in Durrës. Through an application process, organizers invited 34 young women from 12 sites from around the country to take part in the national event. Exchange of experience during day camps and the future of GLOW in Albania were the core topics. Special guests during the second evening included Mrs. Eglantina Gjermeni, Minister of Urban Development and Tourism, Mr. Alexander Arvizu, U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Earl Wall, Peace Corps Country Director, Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli and Mr. Martin Mata, Co-CEOs of AADF. Participants were delighted as Ambassador Arvizu presented the ACT Now! award to the each of the participants and organizing team as the champion for August 2014.

• 08.17.2014

  GLOW Day Camps 2014

  

  GLOW day camps for 2014 were held in 15 cities throughout Albania. Over 250 girls participated. Camp activities covered a variety of topics including leadership, communication skills, team building, women’s health, gender equality, relationships, domestic violence, addictions, human trafficking, self-empowerment, self-esteem, and more.

• 08.15.2014

  Outdoor Ambassadors Camp 2014

  

  The AADF in collaboration with Outdoor Ambassadors and Peace Corps Volunteers held a five-day environmental leadership summer camp in Ishull Lezhë for sixty students. The camp’s theme was “Go Green” and it focused on fostering leadership skills and increasing awareness about reducing, reusing and recycling. Campers engaged in many activities including: archery, rock climbing, song-writing, swimming, and yoga.

• 04.20.2014

  Write On! Conference 2014

  

  The high school and university winners of the annual Write On! Competition from around Albania excitingly gathered at Univers Hotel in Elbasan for the first ever Albanian Write On! Conference. This year’s theme was “Write for Life” and more than thirty writers were given the opportunity to let their imaginations soar by taking creative writing classes structured around a variety of topics.

• 02.15.2014

  Albanian Model United Nations 2014

  

  The fifth Albanian Model United Nations kicked off its Final Conference at Chateau Linza Hotel and Resort in Tirana. Fourteen teams from cities around the country tackled some of the most difficult international problems. Delegates represented the countries of Russia, UK, USA, France, China, Indonesia, Libya, Egypt, South Korea, Venezuela, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey, Syria, and Israel. This year’s Opening Ceremony took place in the Albanian Parliament, where the leaders of tomorrow sat in the seats of the leaders of today. The students had researched and debated the Crisis in Syria, Nuclear Disarmament and Development, and Human Rights of Migrants. Their skills in negotiation, diplomacy, debate, and public speaking were put to the test as they wrote resolutions to address these issues. This event was made possible by a partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sport, the United States Embassy, Peace Corps Albania, and the AADF.

• 02.02.2014

  Youth Leadership Conference 2014

  

  Over forty high school students from 15 different cities gathered in Tushemisht, Pogradec for a Youth Leadership Conference which promoted activism and volunteerism among Albanian youth. Students participated in interactive sessions to help build public speaking skills, identify personal leadership styles, and engage in dialogues about environmental and human rights. The conference also featured a career panel with guest speakers from LEAD Albania Program, Une, Gruaja, YES Program, and National Food Authority Berat. Participants completed a three-part Project Design and Management workshop which challenged them to design projects that address the problems in their communities. Upon completion of the conference, students were encouraged to begin implementing their projects once they return to their communities.