“Block the Hatred. Share the Love!” the EU and Council of Europe campaign against hate speech in Albania was a reminder but also an opportunity for every one of us to commit and contribute towards a more safe and diverse society by fighting divisions among people and bringing forward respect and mutual dialogue for all the communities. This was one of the main messages heard during the closing event of the campaign organised yesterday in “Sami Frashëri” - High School in co-operation with the Municipality of Tirana and in the framework of ‘Tirana Youth Capital 2022’.
The activity brought together opinion leaders, young activists and artists as well as prominent public officials, who joined this regional movement and raised their voices against all forms of hate speech, pledging to promote an equal society without hate and discrimination.
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana Jutta Gützkow opened the event by providing a short resume of the campaign and its impact in Albania and the region. “We are aware that continuous efforts are needed because hatred continues to be a part of our lives and we are witnesses of it. It happens in person, it happens online, and this is why the “Block the hatred. Share the love” campaign has covered both aspects.”, said Gützkow.
Lenka Vitkova, Head of Section in the European Union Delegation to Albania addressed the participants stressing the importance of promoting diversity as a key European value. “In Albania too, discriminatory language still remains a problem, especially in the media. This is unacceptable, therefore, more is needed through such campaigns and awareness raising initiatives, to fight discrimination and support equality and diversity.”, concluded Vitkova.
In her remarks, Bora Muzhaqi, Minister of State for Youth and Children of Albania shared with participants the importance to accept and support diversity. “Our task begins right here, in school and kindergarten, by teaching children and youngsters to respect and appreciate others because they are different. Being different gives the world color and as such it should be embraced and appreciated in ourselves and in others.” emphasised Muzhaqi
Anuela Ristani, Deputy Mayor of Tirana Municipality in her remarks emphasised the efforts of the Municipality of Tirana to promote inclusion and diversity in different localities and communities. Ristani concluded her speech with an open call directed to everyone, especially young people: "Words matter! They can hurt, but they can also heal!"
The event was moderated by well-known actor and TV personality, Aleks Seitaj, who joined other prominent public figures , such as Ema Andrea, actress and human rights activist; Olympic athlete Izmir Smajlaj and the singer Kamela Islamaj in supporting this campaign as ‘No-Hate Speech Ambassador’ to bring forward and promote a diverse society, free from discrimination and violence. The event closed with a unique musical performance from the “Artistic Lyceum” students.
The “Block the Hatred. Share the Love!” campaign is an awareness raising movement introduced in the Western Balkans two years ago to inform and engage the local communities in the fight against various forms of hate speech, targeting vulnerable groups and individuals such as LGBTI+ persons, immigrants, people with special needs and ethnic minorities. The campaign was implemented in Albania during 2022 in a series of public events and awareness raising via ‘online’ channels.
It has been implemented within the action “Promotion of diversity and equality in Albania”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022", a co-operation initiative that supports reforms in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy in compliance with the European standards, and in the framework of the EU enlargement process.
For more information contact:
Besnik Baka - [email protected]; tel. +355 692 17 84 30
Dusan Vojnovic - Dusan.VOJNOVIC.coe.int; tel. +33 3 90 21 56 99
