MCW Global Holds Third Young Leaders Conference in Albania
NEW YORK, NY, May 28, 2019 — MCW Global held its third Young Leaders Conference from May 5th – 7th in Krujë, Albania. The conference focused on supporting young leaders between the ages of 18-26 develop projects aimed to tackle regional specific issues in Europe, such as gender equality and youth migration.
The three -day conference was hosted in partnership with ACT for Society, an organization that focuses on gender equality and the prevention against youth extremism and violence in Albania’s capital Tirana. In attendance were 25 participants from the Balkan region, challenged by similar concerns in their communities. The conference was divided into three sections: Leadership, Global Citizenship, and Vision Planning.
The young leaders were challenged to think about the social composition of their communities and the unique issues they face locally. Participants went through leadership training, the process of vision planning, and discussed the importance of global citizenship as a way to address major issues facing the world.
YLC 2017 Kosovo alumni Eleni Nanaj and Nevila Muka were fundamental to the development and implementation of the conference in Albania. Eleni Nanaj facilitated the partnership with ACT for Society in addition to providing support with logistics and the program.
By the last day of the conference, participants felt more certain about their leadership capabilities and vision plans for implementation in their communities. Projects designed by conference attendees were followed by a timeline for implementation and took on socio-historical perspectives specific to the Balkans. Guest speakers, Besnik Leka from CARE International and Andrea Mazelliu from the University of New York Tirana, respectively shared insight on gender equality and migration. Team members from Act for Society, including Executive Director Armela Pengili, shared information on the programs their organization is implementing in Albania – specifically to encourage greater awareness and participation by the youth in local communities.
MCW Global Board Member Dr. Charles Robbins, provided a global perspective on gender equality in addition to hosting an evening discussion and Q&A on gender. MCW staff including, Executive Director Khalid Elachi, Director of Africa Programs Regina Leichner, and Naadhira Ali Director of Resource Development and Communication facilitated sessions on leadership, global citizenship, and vision planning.
