releasing development potentials

The key is in your mind….September 25, 2004

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The key is in your mind….September 25, 2004

Releasing Development Potentials - Albanian Perspective

Ali LAÇEJAli LAÇEJERA-AlbaniaERA-Albania

The key is in your mind….

1. What potential resources…???

2. Snapshot on current situation !

3. Release….what for???

4. Quantum leap…?!


Three Potential Resources

People

Environment

Multicultural

Not integrated

Poorly mobilized

Leave!!!

Very Rich

Urban Pollution

Missing Preservation

Abuse!!!!

Corrupted

Chaotic

Monopolize!!!

1. What potential resources…???

Informal & PoorEconomy&Governance


People Multicultural

Not integrated

Leave!!!


2. Snap

shot o

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potentia

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4. Quan

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Albanians, despite historic disappointments, remain faithful to their Euro-Atlantic orientation.

Quite 1 million Albanians work and stay in EU countries and USA and Canada. They are the Human bridge to bringing forth the essential Euro-Atlantic belonging of Albanians. They witness all kinds of educational lacks as well as outstanding virtues. Some of them are involved in academic or scientific works and a few in criminal activities. Usually Albanians behave within a certain Euro Atlantic civilization pattern.

Albanians are multi religious people. The religious differences never caused a cultural clash, as they stand strong for broad family kinship.

Within kinfolk (broad family) you will find different religious participations. Albanians go proud for that.

Poorly mobilized



Not integrated

Leave!!!


Albanian community, that had survived under the pressure of dictatorship, the first 90’s, blasted off, disrespecting not only the relations built under dictatorship, but even those that were once appreciated as traditional and morale.

Albania is like e jail!! You can enter, but it is truly difficult to go out for locals. Before 90’s the guardian of this jail was the Communist Regime. Who causes it now???? Inside guardians resigned from that duty……

What happens in a jail, what is it a like-in-jail-society? Favoritism is the weakest manifestation of degenerative and backward oriented processes in an outside guarded jail. Violence and miscommunication bolster the disintegration. The gap between groups of citizens increases.

Poorly mobilized

2. Snap

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1. What

potentia

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4. Quan

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Not integrated

Poorly mobilized

Leave!!!


Albania did not inherit such a strong civic organizing tradition, civic mobilizing happened in eruptive way due to critical national or communitarian events. Now it seems to be the future cradle of leadership.

Political parties and politicians as individuals failed to maintain promises for a brighter and excellent future, partly because of offering huge expectations, and partly because of their preference for militant or “military” feats. It was the preferred path for high ranking due to catching hold of the wish of the commander, to protect the superiors and command the inferiors.

The vehicles of economic and legal systems are broadly and dangerously corrupted.

2. Snap

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1. What

potentia

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???

4. Quan

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…?!

The key is in your mind….2. Snap

shot o

n curre

nt situ

ation !

3. Rele

ase…

.what

for???

1. What

potentia

l reso

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???

4. Quan

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…?!

Environment

Very Rich

Urban Pollution


Abuse!!!!


Albania as a coastal country, in the upper Mediterranean weather region, especially the Northern Region offers a broad range of qualities for a long term sustainable development. There are three rivers, Drini, Buna and Kiri connecting together at the end of basin of the Shkodra Lake. There are other potentials created as artificial lakes. A lot of rivulets transport waters from Alps and Highlands to a beautiful landscape connected to the Adriatic Sea. Water is abundant.

Mining richness consists on Metallic (Cooper, Chromium, Iron and Aluminum and other rare metals…), and richer it is the Nonmetallic offer (Silicates, Dolomites,Quartz, Magnezites, Limestone,Granite, etc). Energy production resources are still unused optimally. Forests have been overexploited, but the landscape offers a huge potential for such a production…..

Cultivated agriculture, vineyards, and food production have a big chance for doing it BIO.

The region offers the tradition of producing tobacco and beverages, as well those based on endemic herbs…flora and fauna….are relatively rich…even there have been some intrusive actions in lake basins and river beds….


shot o

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4. Quan

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EnvironmentVery Rich

Urban Pollution


Abuse!!!!


The Human intervention in the environment used demoted technologies and methods, causing damages to the landscape.

The wild growth including wild constructions are not based on general basic frameworks, but mainly in the logics of egocentric pleasure, violence and extreme profit.

Inhabited centers are coping with hard infrastructural problems and Urban Waste Management as an industrial method, hasn’t started yet. Green areas, and green town garlands are damaged or misused for wild construction.

The total absence of industrial production diminished the underground, ground and air pollution to admirable levels. Solid residuals are abnormally present in dust at big inhabited centers. Noise pollution seems to be within allowed upper limits. Wild growth appears, as well, in the form of big chaotic villages pauperizing wonderful tourist potentials.

Dangerous residual presence of chemicals in some former industrial sites.


shot o

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4. Quan

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EnvironmentVery Rich

Urban Pollution


Abuse!!!!


Due to the chaotic transition and the weakness in Law Enforcement the Albanian Governing Structures show, in many cases it was reported the abusive use of the landscape and environment for profitable activities.

Huge forest areas were destroyed. Riverbeds and mountains near tourist potential zones have been excavated for producing construction industries’ raw materials, driven by subjective decisions instead of technical studies. For a long time fishing in the lakes and riverbeds consumed criminal methods of dynamite and electric shock hunting. Fertile land is used for construction of houses and other facilities in rural areas.

Erosion is not under control. Forestation stands still.


shot o

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4. Quan

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Economy & GovernanceInformal& Corrupted

UnderdevelopedChaotic

Monopolize !!!


Governance is based in mixed structures, public administration is slowly reformed.

Public order represents loopholes.Public budget’ financed investments, frequently

disregard the legal procedures. Corruption seems to have touched all levels of an

administration. Decentralization stopped. Albanian governance remained highly centralized. Legal reform goes slowly and it seems to be late in going to meet EU standards. Serious lacks are identified in standards, antidumping measures, rules of origin, border control and enforcement of property rights.


shot o

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4. Quan

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Informal& Corrupted

UnderdevelopedChaotic

Monopolize !!!

Economy & GovernanceLocal communities, in periphery, face a lot of difficulties in

front of scarce infrastructural services. Health care and education lose quality at a big pace at these areas.

Know-How transfer is not organized and supplied as needed. Human resources capacity-building is poorly planned and

enhanced.The production chain is fragmented because of chaotic

developments.Industrial production is weak and it does not represent the main economic source of the country.

Energy production is insufficient and it bears a lot of administrative mischief. Employment practices have a quite illicit practice. You must be exceptionally rich to open a regular business. It is very difficult to find young entrepreneurs, even a lot of them are graduated in economy, or similar. Human factor disregarded.


Economy & Governance

2. Snap

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4. Quan

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Informal & Corrupted

Underdeveloped

Chaotic

Monopolize !!!

Governance does not offer the necessary Security and guaranties to the capital in general.

Statistics system is hanging on.

Fiscal and other financial instruments work half power, because of system corruption.

At the National level you should find some Strategies for the reduction of Poverty and Country development, the broad public isn’t informed adequately. Implementing is poor.

The General Local Governance Strategies of Development do not exist, yet. Different initiatives are running. Up till now, no one is going to address financing for expertise at these levels.

The cooperation and synergies among Governance, Business and Not-for-Profit are weak.

Cooperation with international economic factors remain confined within institutional relationships at very high levels, it doesn't influence common citizens.

The key is in your mind….1. What potential re

sources…???




System FailuresElections Property Media

Rule Of

Law

Albanians do not have a standard ID

No general census have been made after 90’s

The voters’ lists were prepared parallel by Party Commissions

In the last elections in Shkodra town, 2003, the participation was near 20%

The ownership right remains far from resolvedProperty documents are not issued according to international standardsThe so called property market has a broad wild sideOne of the supposed means for gaining the ownership right remains the violence, including governance’ misuse.

Journalists are under “unidentified” politic pressureJournalists misuse the power of media.Media reporting censored or manipulated in some cases, according to international standardsAuthorship violated in many casesInvestigative journalism not enhanced.Quantitative mediaStill difficult access for common citizens

Drugs traffickingTrafficking and smuggling of Human beingsCorruption (Administration vs. Citizens)State officers inflicted by crime Structural deficiencies weakening Law EnforcementThere is no citizens’ ownership over processes of governance and reform


The key is in your mind….1. What potential resources…???




Quality of lifeLivability

Creative Engagement

GoodHealth

ActiveParticipation

home ownership rates job growth percent of population graduated from high schoolelectricity provisioning and water supply per capita personal incomecriminality reducedclimate and environment optimal

educational system improving. public schools offer access to all greater access to computers and internet the quantity and quality of state universities, liberal arts, private schools, technical colleges.population bringing new ideas, discoveries and talents to the world

offered guarantees for sustainable basic health-care to all, health care for children emphasized.hospitalizing maintains the technological development paceincidence of diabetes, heart disease, HIV, poor feeding and premature death lowering. No epidemics.

sports and arts exercised by the majority of populationparks, museums, gardensamusement, theater, cinema, recreational centers public administration not corruptedtransparent and appreciated public decision making process



Politic Society Chaotic Society Civil Society


Procedures and structures promote and facilitate citizen participation in all levels governance. The rule of law, is a fundamental principle for governance and interaction among citizens There is a balance and synergy among government, business and independent sectors and institutions Economic structures meet citizens’ needs, encourage individual initiatives and facilitate the functioning of private enterprise All citizens have access to education and economic opportunity, and the least fortunate members of society have economic security Citizens participate in public life, it is a healthy NFP sector, especially at the local level Responsible stewardship of the environment and economic sustainability are promoted Diversity among citizens is valued and respected Dialogue, debate, consensus-building and mediation are the favored means to resolve and reconcile competing ideas

Procedures and structures are chaotic and corrupted. Governance does not include citizen’s opinion. The rule of Law is enormously weakened. Violence prevails, including power abuse. There is no balance and synergy among government, business and independent sectors and institutions Economic structures try to exploit citizens’ needs, discourage individual initiatives and promote wild competition among private enterprises. Illicit activities are present. Education tents to innovate and economic opportunities are scarce, people leave the country. Citizens feel disappointed with the public life, there are some initiatives to establish a certain NFP sector, it is unsustainable and centralized. Environment abuse is enormous and economic sustainability does not fuel. Diversity among citizens starts to become valued and respected Dialogue, debate, consensus-building and mediation goes through ups and downs trying to cover the institutional weaknesses.

Procedures and structures promote and serve leadership and governing elites. The priority of political interests, is a fundamental principle for governance and interaction among clans and groups. There is command from political elite and government to economy and science sectors. Economic structures try to meet commands and orders from upper political levels, individual initiatives totally prohibited All citizens have access to education, except those politically discriminated, that are not allowed to get higher qualifications. Welfare means sacrifice Citizens participate in public life, it is a narrow range of choices to applaud and admire the holiness of the leadership. Subjective stewardship of the environment, strong punishments applied. Diversity among citizens looks suspicious and denied. Dialogue, debate, consensus-building and mediation are forgettable. No competing ideas allowed

Here We are!!


Broad Public Broad Public ConsensusConsensus

InstitutionalInstitutionalReformReform

DonorsDonors

DiagnosticsDiagnostics&&

Work PlanWork Plan ExecutiveExecutiveBoardBoard

PoliticPoliticWillWill


……from a vicious circle!!!!from a vicious circle!!!!

DARK

STOPPED

MISSING

IN DOUBT

WEAK

CORRUPTED


SME

Education Empower Citizens

Enforce Law

TransferKnow-How

Assist &

Cooperate

Know before…



ActorsReleasing Development PotentialsReleasing Development Potentials

NFPOs BusinessPolitics Individuals


KNOW HOW


Possible Initiatives4. Quantum leap…?!

Individuals

Become more responsibleTake more initiativeDevelop the spirit of entrepreneurshipBalance give and take actionsInvest more in educationReevaluate the meaning of lifeShow greater respect to the nature


Possible Initiatives4. Quantum leap…?!

Business Change structureAim sustainable economic growthInclude know-howInclude expertiseDevelop partnership with educational branchDevelop partnership with NFPOsAim Echo-Economy Respect the rule of lawSet up long-term goalsFit in EU StandardsMedia business make a quality shift



Possible InitiativesPolitics

Shape up a clear vision about the futureClean up the political classChange leadership in a democratic wayStand for a strong rule of lawDevelop a responsible people mobilizingDevelop transparencyStand strong for restructuring the state governanceReevaluate the past mistakes and successesStrongly develop freedom through decentralizingDraw special attention to strengthening ties with Euro-Atlantic policies.Develop e substantial stewardship to regional long-term cooperation.



Possible InitiativesNFPOs Accentuate the articulating the demands and concerns of

citizens Must overthrow the suffering from insufficient financial resources and a lack of expertiseEnhance co-operation between NFPOs and contacts between NFPOs and government bodies Insist in bringing international support in this area, considering it necessary in order to help Albanian civil society representatives play a greater role in Albania’s social, political and economic life.Assure special support for NFPOs active in the promotion of political and civil, as well as economic, social and cultural, rights.Strengthen partnerships between NFPOs and local authorities to fostering human rights and democracy at grass root level.


HIGH ALBANIATHE LAND OF THE LIVING PAST "Of old sat Freedom on the heights"

"Oh we're back in the Balkans again,Back to the joy and the painWhat if it burns or it blows or it snows?We're back to the Balkans again.Back, where tomorrow the quick may be dead,With a hole in his heart or a ball in his headBack, where the passions are rapid and redOh, we're back to the Balkans again! "

– SONG OF THE BALKAN PENINSULA. The wanderer from the West stands awestruck amongst them, filled with vague memories of the cradle of his race, saying, "This did I do some thousands of years ago; thus did I lie in wait for mine enemy; so thought I and so acted I in the beginning of Time.“…

Albanian mountains is administered by a council of Elders. Each tribe is self-governing. Custom varies with the district. Of Lek himself little is known. His fame among the tribes that still bear his name far exceeds that of Skanderbeg, and the fog of mythology is thick round him. He has left no mark on European history–is a purely local celebrity,–but must have been of insistent individuality to have so influenced the people that "Lek said so" obtains far more obedience than the Ten Commandments. The teachings of Islam and of Christianity, the Shariah and Church law, all have to yield to the Canon of Lek….

Albania awoke late to the value of education as a means of obtaining national freedom, and demanded national schools. But the Turks, too, had then learnt by experience. They replied, "We have had quite enough of schools in national languages. No, you don't!" and prohibited, under heavy penalty, not only schools, but the printing of the language….

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/durham/albania/albania.html

HIGH ALBANIABY

M. EDITH DURHAM

LONDONEDWARD ARNOLD

Publishers to the India Office1909

EXOTICS


From The Knights’ Songs – Nga Kanget e KreshnikeveLum për ty, o Zot o i lumi!Fort po shndrit ai diell e pak po nxe’!Ç’po e rreh era, rrapin e Jutbinës !Borë e madhe që paska ra,Randojnë ahet për me u thye;Ushtojnë bjeshkët prej ortekve,Kanë ra vashat me gja në lumë,Kanë gjetë lumin në akull të ngrimë;Kanë nisë vashat krojet me kërkue,Kanë gjetë krojet, hej akujsh, shterrue.Kanë nisë vashat e po dertojne:Kur të bajnë Zoti motin me lirue,Gjaja e gjalle drue se ka mbarue !Po Zot, ç’ka janë njata shtegtarë,Veshë e mathë porsi Zotni?

Where are we coming from?Thonë se vendi e ka

marrë emrin nga Iliri, i biri i Polifemit; sepse te tre bijtë e ciklopit Polifem dhe gruas se tij Galatea, - Kelti, Iliri dhe Gali, ikën nga Sicilia dhe u bene sundimtare mbi fise qe u quajtën me emrat e tyre: Keltë, Ilirë dhe Galë...

APPIANI-historian romak(95-165 AD)

-Ilyrike II-

Legjenda e Apianit për prejardhjen e Ilirëve pasqyron përdorimin e

këtij emri si term të përgjithshëm për fise të ndryshme brenda një

zone të mirëpërcaktuar e të përligjur ....- por shumë më të madhe - Ballkani Perëndimor,

ndërmjet rrjedhës së mesme të Danubit dhe Detit Adriatik.

Just a taste of Albanian (Traditional and Official Language)


Useful references http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/

ECAEXT/ALBANIAEXTN/0,,menuPK:301417~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:301412,00.html

http://www.instat.gov.al/ http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/altoc.html#al0000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania http://www.delalb.cec.eu.int/en/eu_and_albania/assistance_sweden.htm http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/Europe/Albania/Government/ http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/albania/index.htm


REFERENCES/REFERENCA

Human Development Report – Albania 2002 Liqeni I Shkodres – Biodiversiteti (Shkoder 2000/F.Sokoli, Dh.Dhora) Kelmendi- Veshtrim Geografiko-turistik( Shkoder1988/Gj.Gruda,S.Sheme) Beyond Global Engagement (J.Rocher/1988) Post Conflict Environment Assesment – Albania (Kenia2000/UNEP) The European Convention on Human Rights SKZHES-Programi I Masave Publike 2003-2006 The Basics of the County Development Stratey/(A.Laçej1998) Economy Within Global Policies (A.Laçej 1999) Shkodra Today and Why?? (A.Laçej 2002) Fair Political Struggle decreases corruption (A. Laçej 1988) May NFPOs become an integrating factor in Balkans (A. Laçej 2002) Iliret (S.Stipcevic 2003) Our Posthuman Future (Francis Fukujama 2002) CARDS Albania 2002-2006 Rethinking the Balkans-Bertelsmann Foundation Guetersloh, June 2004 Albania, state of the nation-CGI Annual Report March 2003 THE ILLYRIANS-John WILKES/1992/1996/2000


THE END……from a wise friend!! (…..many thanks to him!)

Extremists think ''communication'' means agreeing with them.

There is no one who does not exaggerate! To live is to change, and to be prefect is to have changed

often. If you keep thinking about what you want to do or what you

hope will happen, you don't do it, and it won't happen. As much as we thirst for approval we dread commendation.Don't judge any man until you have walked two moons in

his moccasins. One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night.Let hope inspire you, but let not idealism blind you.

The art of living well and the art of dying well are one.

The only part under copyright: “Development is a worthy schedule, you cannot live it all at the hands of the most empirical science-Economy! “A.Lacej

releasing development potentials

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