At the Security Academy, it has been organized the certification ceremony of new school security officers on the training received for “Preventing violent extremism in schools”. During three days, basic training was organized for 128 new security officers in pre-university educational institutions in Albania. This training is part of the Mandatory Basic Program for new security officers and guides their profiling for effective intervention, helping the teaching staff in schools, throughout the territory of Albania.

The concept of the school security officer was introduced through the initiative of the Albanian Government for the addition of this important position for the identification and prevention of problems within the school premises and the strengthening of security standards. The first contingent of 150 security officers have been trained as part of the professional specialization and are currently part of high school teams across Albania. 128 new security officers are added to this contingent, who are part of the Basic Program and specifically, the 3-day course for the prevention of radicalism and violent extremism.

This curriculum was prepared by the experts of human rights and security of the Institute for Activism and Social Change, high-level experts of the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism of the Ministry of the Interior, within the program supported by the Embassy of Netherlands, in Tirana.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Director of the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism, the National Coordinator, Mr. Denion Meidani, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education Mr. Erzen Tola, the Rector of the Security Academy Mr. Ilirjan Mandro, Deputy Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Tirana, Ms. Clarisse Pasztory, representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania, Ms. Ebi Spahiu,  Director of the Local Police Directorate of Tirana, Mr. Tonin Vocaj, diplomatic body accredited in Albania, civil society and media, etc.

The Rector of the Security Academy, Mr. Mandro, thanked the Director of the CVE Center for the proposal of the initiative to train security officers in schools for the component of violent extremism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior as well as the Institute for Activation and Change Sovial for organizing this training.

In his speech, the Director of CVE Center, Denion Meidani, thanked the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana, the OSCE Presence in Tirana, the Security Academy and above all the newly certified young security officers for their presence and personal commitment for the completion of this Module dedicated to preventive approaches to violent extremism, with a focus on future professionals who are selected as security officers in pre-university education institutions in Albania.

“For me, as the national coordinator and head of the CVE Center, this module offers the opportunity to strengthen a coordinated referral system – enabling every actor involved in the early identification, referral and follow-up of any concerns that fuel violence in high school students. Our preventive work should not start and end with the academic year: on the contrary, it is systematic, continuous, non-stop in helping every child, teenager or young person who faces forced choices by parents, peers or the community and who practically, needs all of us, to be a good role model for his community, and to serve as an inspiration to his peers. In its national coordinating role, the CVE Center has given specific importance to the multi-sectoral approach for each reported concern or case. We aspire that you all understand this approach as an opportunity for interaction, partnership and exchange of information, referral and follow-up on an ongoing basis. We want no one, in the fight against violent extremism, to feel alone, but also to feel underrated in their responsibilities. Everyone has an important role, so I invite you to evaluate this training as a concrete opportunity for partnerships and do not hesitate to contact us directly if you encounter any issues of concern. I am very happy that today, in cooperation with the Security Academy, we are certifying Security Officers. A key role in advancing our joint efforts is to combat violent extremist behavior. I am confident that the knowledge gained will be of added value in our battles against VE and in ensuring a safe community. For many of you, this training was the first in regard to facing the phenomenon, but I express my conviction that it will not be the last training. The CVE Center has maintained a proactive approach – in response to the concerns brought by frontline employees – and our response has been to establish a functional network of partners at the central and local level”, said Mr. Maidani.

In their speech, Mrs. Spahiu on behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana and Mrs. Pasztory, Deputy Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Tirana, thanked the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism, the Security Academy and all the actors involved for the maximum awareness and dedication to the issues of violent extremism. The General Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the Director of the Local Police Directorate of Tirana were on the same line for increasing cooperation and giving due importance to the prevention of radicalism and violent extremism.

The training of Security Officers in schools on the issues of radicalism and violent extremism will be extended further and during 2023 joint inter-institutional activities will be coordinated for this purpose.