NAAC’s 15th Annual Award Gala
Dear Friend:
On Friday, September 23, 2011, the National Albanian American Council (NAAC), held its 15th Annual Dinner Gala, at Gotham Hall, in NYC. This year, we honored former British Prime Minister Tony Blair with the “Hands of Hope Award,” Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, In Memoriam, with the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the renewed US – Albania relations.
The NAAC Annual Dinner Gala brings together Albanians and friends of Albanians from throughout the world to thank individuals for their unique contributions to Albanian causes and issues and to celebrate our heritage. In addition to the honorees, we also had over 500 people in attendance, including: from Kosova, President of Kosova Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli, Minister of Foreign Affairs Enver Hoxhaj, Ministry of Diaspora Naim Dedushaj; from Albania, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmond Haxhinasto; from Macedonia Deputy Prime Ministers Musa Xhaferi and Vladimir Peshevski, Macedonia’s Ambassador to the US Zoran Jolevski; and from Montenegro, Nikola Gegaj, Mayor of Tuzi. Former and present US government officials included Ambassador Frank Wisner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Phil Reeker, Ambassador Rosemarie DiCarlo, Ambassador John Menzies, Congressmen Eliot Engel and Gary Peters. Artists in attendance included Eliza Dushku, Emina Cunmulaj, Gona Dragusha, Angjela Martini, Fadil Berisha, former NBA star Rick Fox and former Captain of US national soccer team Claudio Reyna.
To capture some of the highlights of the evening and to share in the memories, below, please find a series of links to the annual dinner:
For photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150324292194869.354882.234494869868
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVxc8guuAHk
News outlets covering the NAAC dinner:
1. VOA Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-__C6JZkOsY&feature=player_embedded
2. VOA Article
3. Fadil Berisha Twiter Pic
4. Interview of Congressman Engel at the NAAC Dinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfMALTthJZ4&feature=player_embedded
5. Jahjaga Anetare Nderi e Keshillit Shqiptaro Amerikan
http://lajme.parajsa.com/Kosova/id_334828/
6. Shqiptarët mirënjohje Blairit e Holbrookut
http://www.indeksonline.net/?page=1,2,8427
7. Zv/kryeministri Xhaferi pjesëmarrës në mbrëmjen gala të Këshillit kombëtar shqiptaro-amerikan
8. Keshilli Kombetar Shqiptaro-Amerikan nderon ish kryeministrin britanik Toni Bler
9. KËSHILLI KOMBËTAR SHQIPTARO-AMERIKAN (KKSHA) NDERON TONI BLER DHE RIÇARD HOLBRUK
10. Shqiptaro-amerikanët nderojnë Toni Blerin – Bota Sot
http://www.botasot.info/def.php?category=65&id=137347#.Tn5NOoSbBqE.facebook
On behalf of the NAAC Board of Trustees and the staff in Washington DC and in Prishtina, we want to express our deep gratitude to all those who participated in this year’s annual dinner. Your support and contributions allow us to continue to work.
We look forward to seeing you next year. Thank you.
Best,
Avni Mustafaj
Executive Director
National Albanian American Council
Hope Fellowship Diplomacy and Democracy Alumna Shqipe Hajredini Implements Needed Database for Legislation and Policies for Communities in Kosovo
The Promotion of a Database for Legislation and Policies for Communities was conducted on Monday September 12th 2011. The project “Database on legislation and policy communities” was a multiyear commitment in which experts have streamlined all existing documents that address community issues such as: laws, regulations, documents policies, ordinances, policies, manuals, and guides. These documents which have not always been translated into three languages, in particular documents issued by the municipal level, have been recalibrated; with additional effort focused on translating all these documents into Albanian, Serbian and English.
Furthermore, these documents were divided into categories and specific provisions covering certain areas, ranging from: the general rights and fundamental freedoms and rights of communities, institutions, elections and public administration, local self-government provisions, education, culture and heritage, justice, internal affairs and security, social policy and health, environment and property, international relations and statistics.
All these areas can be easily inspected, by giving a certain word in the search options and existing documents are presented in tabular form. Database can be used in three languages: Albanian, Serbian and English.
These database functions with the identification of all the Trans-mails gov.net officials and will be functional with the activation of the official address. In this way, the database will also contribute to address the use and functioning of all official institutions.
Also, it was decided that due to the nature of work in some ministries, to provide access to officials and human rights. Hopefully this database will achieve several goals, namely:
• Contribute to analysis and advice on certain policies relating to communities
• Develop and monitor the implementation of certain Community policies
• Serve as a tool for obtaining information on existing documents, institutions and increase public awareness of issues affecting communities
• Serve as a guide for implementation in practice
• Recommend to potential changes or improvement of certain acts and policies if they are needed.
Creating database it is one among many actions that the Action Plan for European Partnership are engaged in. Yet this step is a critical success, and now one of the relevant actions in the defense and promotion of community rights have been effectively reached.
Hope Fellowship would like to extend its congratulations to HF Alumna Shqipe Hajredini for an outstanding job in the protection of minority communities in Kosova!
Diplomacy and Democracy Group HF Alumna Aferdita Rushiti Implements RTK Media Project in Kosovo
In May 2011, the Hope Fellowship Diplomacy and Democracy Group returned in Kosovo, and immediately began implementing their projects. One Fellow, Afërdita Rushiti, completed her Hope Fellowship project with her organization, Radio Television of Kosova (RTK). Her project established new community TV channels for Kosova, educating its citizens on Diaspora issues, latest political developments, and a specific channel devoted to the Minority Communities. Now the citizens of Kosova have more transparency and access than ever before to news and media about important issues facing their society.
Congratulations to Hope Fellowship alumna Aferdia Rushiti on implementing this crucial project for the future of Kosova!
Hope Fellowship Alumna Valbonë Kadrijaj Implements KEK Vocational Education Project
Valbonë Kadrijaj is an alumna of the 2010 Hope Fellowship Program, focused on Educational Development in Kosovo. Valbone’s project that she designed while in Washington DC during the Hope Fellowship program was to create an institution that provides international certificate qualifications for vocational education of professionals in Kosovo. Currently, Ms. Kadrijaj is the Director of the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) Training Center in Prishtina, Kosovo. 
During July 2011, the KEK Training Center completed implementation of Valbone’s project for training and certification of heavy machine operators. This project was co-financed by Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) and KPEP (Kosovo Private Enterprise Program) funded by USAID. Establishment of this institution secures a continuous training curriculum for existing staff in the heavy machinery industry.
Through Valbone’s established training curriculum, KEK will assist professionals needing vocational education and certification in the sectors of the Kosovo economy which lack a professional and qualified staff. Certification is critical for workers and companies to perform successfully, and for the workers it is a possibility for an inclusion into a narrow labor market. For local companies the certification has created an opportunity to partner with international companies which operate in Kosovo.
Valbone’s project included two phases of training for completion. In the selection process, priority was given to workers for road construction companies and workers of KEK. From this group, selected instructors trained the operators in the second phase monitored by the American company HEVICERT.
Candidates in the second training group were largely unemployed; yet through the skills acquired in Valbone’ Hope Fellowship project, these construction workers gained the knowledge and technical skills necessary to find a job. All told, 45 candidates were certified during Valbone’s project completion, as well as 7 Instructors certified in a Training of Trainers (ToT) model. The KEK Heavy Machinery Certification Training lasted ten weeks and was conducted in theoretical, simulator and practical demonstration modules in the heavy machinery outdoor classroom.
KEK once again showed its willingness to cooperate with all local and international institutions involved in vocational education and training through the use of their training center. Through training of staff in such projects will help not only in creating new jobs but also improve social welfare by preparing skilled and competent worker not only for local market but also beyond.
To ensure the longevity of this KEK Training Center project, Valbone and KEK officials are cooperating closely with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MLSW) and with local and international companies in order to develop the framework for the occupation of an Operator. With support of KPEP, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) are drafted for the possibility of cooperating with MLSW and KEK to train 100 operators over a three year initiative, with a commitment to cooperate closely with ministers from Albania and Macedonia so that this center to be considered with a regional character.
Kosovar companies’ need for trained and certified staff is substantial, and employees display a direct desire for these particular trainings. All candidates participating in the training will have the opportunity, upon successful completion of courses, to obtain international certificates to work abroad. Courses will be organized in different levels of training, ranging from basic level to more advanced levels of heavy machinery.
In the second half of June 2011, Valbone’s secondary project was undertaken, focusing on developing a training center for the training and certification of welders. This project is funded by KPEP and will last until early June 2012.
Through these two projects, the KEK Training Center stands committed to the instruction of skilled workers for the labor market in occupations for which Kosovo needs. One area of development that will be considered is Kosovo’s need for power generating capacities. The international and domestic companies which are included in the list for construction of Kosovo C power plant have visited the KEK Training Center, and they consider it a significant potential for preliminary preparation of infrastructure construction. They will continue to create avenues for cooperation with these investors through a large number of skilled workers that Valbone and the KEK Training Center will certify. With this they can help economic development and improving welfare for all citizens.
Hope Fellowship congratulates Valbone on the implementation of her Hope Fellowship project, and wishes great success in future trainings of professional welders and heavy machine operators at the KEK Training Center.
Human Resources Institute in Kosovo Established
Congratulation!!! Burbuqe Grajçevci our Education Hope Fellow successfully implemented her project designed while with Hope Fellowship program. This summer she formally registered association named Human Resources Institute in Kosovo (Kosovo Institute HR). We wish you a successful journey.
“Policy, Public Policy and Health Policy” Training in Prishtina, Kosovo
Training with Health and Social Welfare Hope Fellows on “Policy, Public Policy and Health Policy” facilitated by Dr. Lulzim Qela. Tuesday, September 06, 2011.
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