9 October 2021
The second day of Tirana Connectivity Forum 2021 kicked off with a Morning Talk session between the TCF Coordinator Mr. Ardian Hackaj and Senior Editor at Euroactiv Mr. Georgi Gotev. The session served to take stoke on main points discussed the day before and to set the scene for the key discussion taking place throughout the second day of the Forum.
The Forum was later greeted by the Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, H.E. Olta Xhaçka. During her speech, the Minister emphasized that the potential presented by the Open Balkans is one of the biggest advantages that the region can offer. According to Minister Xhaçka, Albania and the Western Balkans have always served as a bridge between east and west that has brought development. Lastly, Minister Xhaçka also underlined Corridor VIII, as one of the most interesting ideas in the direction of interconnection. According to her, the idea of corridors should be reconceptualized as corridors of economic and cultural integration, synergy and exchanges.
The next panel discussion of TCF2021 focused “Human capital in post-COVID Maritime Transport” with the cast of panelists coming from the maritime transport sector and the EU.
Mr. Pirro Vengu, CEO of Durres Port Authority (DPA) focused on the recent developments referring the new port in Porto Romano infrastructure and also the newly established initiative on Center of Excellence for Maritime Affairs – CEMA. An important aspect in this discussion was given to the human capital. “Human capital is not only the human resources of an institution but in the case of a port are all those who work in the logistics chain. Our intent is to ensure that our needs for the new port and maritime administration can be met through the Centre of Excellence for Maritime Affairs,” said Mr. Vengu.
Likewise, Mr. Deda Djelovic, Acting CEO of Bar Port Authority explained how Covid19 has changed the way Bar port operates while focusing also on the long-term development plans. Mr. Djelovic focused also on the human resources component and the possible cooperation with Durres port not only in infrastructure project but also in human capital development.
While, this year in early July EUSAIR hold a workshop on investment in skills and education for a more sustainable blue economy in the Adriatic – Ionian region, Mr. Giuseppe Di Paola, EUSAIR coordinator within the IPA/EUSAIR/Accession negotiations team, DG Regional & Urban Policy –further explained its main takeaways and how do they address the HR challenges presented by the CEOs of ports of Durres and Bar.
As per tradition, also during TCF2021 a dedicated panel to young people took place under the auspices of “Connecting Youth” Platform. The last session of TCF therefore focused on discussing the Economic and Investment Plan through the youth lenses. With the Economic and Investment Plan for the Balkans, throughout the region several projects will be implemented in which young people should be involved, starting from infrastructure projects, digitalization, human capital development, Green Agenda, etc.
The panel discussion welcomed the participation of Ms. Jagoda Shahpaska, Minister of Labour and Social Policy in North Macedonia – who explained how North Macedonia became a pioneer in Youth Guarantee implementation in our region. As the Economic and Investment Plan brings Youth Guarantee as the main Flagship Project under the Human Capital Development Theme, the Minister shared among others, the lessons learned, recommendations for the homologues in other WB6, and also the recommendations for youth organizations who can have a role in the success of this scheme. According to the Minister, the Youth Guarantee has served to provide employment, education and traineeship for thousands of young people in North Macedonia. Despite the inter-institutional need for cooperation, the Minister also highlighted the partnership with Civil Society Organizations as a key element for the successful implementation of the project.
On a regional level of cooperation, the discussion followed with Mr. Albert Hani, RYCO’s Secretary General who shared RYCO’s support for school exchanges and programs to advance social entrepreneurship skills of youth in the region, and how this support can have an impact on youth involvement in EIP not just as beneficiaries, but as change partners too. In this perspective, Mr. Hani also emphasized that on the new strategy of RYCO they will consider all the key pillars of the EIP and Youth Guarantee to ensure youth in the region get the best out of all these investments.
Throughout the year, Connecting Youth has advocated for greater youth involvement in sectoral policies, thus seeing young people not only as beneficiaries but rather as partners of change that can contribute from the planning stage of these policies.
Likewise, Ms. Dafina Peci and Mr. Nedim Alibegovic, both partner organizations of the Connecting Youth Platform shared with the audience the challenges youth in our region face when it comes to being informed and involved in policy-making. According to them, Connecting Youth has provided a platform for youth connectivity which informs and includes youth in different sectors of policymaking. The partners of the Platform have drafted the joint position paper, a unique document that brings youth perspective toward such macro projects/investments.
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In case you missed the second day of TCF2021, catch up now on our YouTube channel. Gallery of Day 2 can be viewed here.
