As part of efforts to contribute to building a safer and more sustainable society, the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism, as the main supporter of national and international initiatives aimed at preventing violent extremism, participated in the annual conference “School as Community Center,” which serves as a powerful platform for cooperation between local and international institutions, communities, youth, and various organizations.

The conference brought together 246 representatives from local and central institutions, the State Police, religious communities, youth from various high schools, teachers, parents, youth organizations, representatives from the private sector, and the media. Its goal is to empower young people and strengthen cooperation between schools, communities, and local institutions to address the growing challenges of violent extremism.

Among the participants in this conference were the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Nancy VanHorn, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Ervin Hoxha, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Ogerta Manastirliu, the National Coordinator for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism, Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, and Sotiraq Hroni, Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation.

The program “School as Community Center,” which began in 2017, is one of the most important initiatives for empowering young people in their leadership role for preventing violent extremism. This program has involved more than 30 high schools in 25 municipalities across Albania, building a sustainable and inclusive approach to addressing the threats of extremism in local communities.

During the conference, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Ervin Hoxha, emphasized that the model of the School as Community Center should be expanded, considering education and civic engagement as key elements in building a safe society. The “School as Community Center” has created a powerful platform for horizontal cooperation between security institutions, schools, and communities, improving responses to the challenges of violent extremism.

The National Coordinator for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism, Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, highlighted the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, involving actors from all levels of society, such as students, teachers, psychologists, security officers, violent extremism coordinators, parents, and local institutions. She stressed the importance of close cooperation between the State Police and local authorities, considering this partnership as an excellent model of success that can be achieved through joint efforts.

All participants in the conference emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and community involvement in strengthening social resilience.

Through the model of the School as Community Center, the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism continues to play a central role in empowering safe and sustainable communities in Albania. With the involvement of all actors in society and the building of strong cooperative networks, this initiative represents an important step toward a safer future for the country.