Interreligious Council of Albania in cooperation with the CVE Center organized on November 22, 2021 the Interfaith Forum “The role of religious leaders and youth in preventing extremism and radicalism” with the participation of leaders of religious communities and members of the Presidency Board of IRCA, Ambassador of the United Kingdom H.E. Alastair King-Smith, representatives of the US Embassy, a high delegation from the international organization The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) based in Switzerland headed by Mr. Kevin Osborne, members of the Executive Board, the Department of Women and the Department of Youth in the IRCA.
Activity was moderated initially by Mrs. Sheldiana Jano, member of the Executive Board of IRCA, was greeted by the leaders and highest representatives of the five religious communities in our country, where initially welcomed H. Dede Edmond Brahimaj, Chairman of IRCA for 2021, then greeted H. Bujar Spahiu, Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania, Mons. George Frendo, Archbishop of the Diocese of Tirana-Durrës, His Grace Asti, Assistant Bishop of Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and Pastor Ylli Doçi, President of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania.
Religious leaders focused their messages on the contribution and work that religious communities do in promoting social peace and dialogue, through educating the younger generations in order to stay away from any kind of radicalism and extremism.
The event was followed by speech of Mrs. Dervishi, director of the Center Against Violent Extremism (CVE), at the Prime Minister office, Mrs. Iris Luarasi, Executive Director of the Counseling Line for Women and Girls, Mr. Kevin Osborne from The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and Dr. Genti Kruja, General Secretary of IRCA.
In the second session moderated by Mrs. Sonila Rembeci, member of the Department of Women in IRCA, spoke and discussed members of the Department of Youth, representatives from all religious communities. Among them Hysni Skura, Alban Petro, Jeta Deda, Evisa Beho and Alesio Sema, shared recommendations and results from interfaith workshops and forums held by the Department of Women and the Department of Youth on various issues and topics related to the prevention of hate speech, radicalism and extremism of any kind. Interfaith Forum was organized with the support of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
