On 23.03.2023, in the premises of the “Hilton Garden Inn” Hotel, in coordination with the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism and the support of the United States Embassy in Tirana, it was organized by the Counseling Line for Women and Girls, under the direction of the President of this organization, Mrs. Iris Luarasi, an activity to promote the national hotline on violent extremism, with the theme “Challenges and achievements: National Hotline on Violent Extremism, Integration and Rehabilitation”

Participants in the panel of this activity were: Mrs. Romina Kuko, Deputy. Internal Minister; Mr. Denion Meidani, director of the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism; Mr. Chad Twitty, Public Relations Officer at the US Embassy, Tirana, Mrs. Iris Luarasi, President of the Counseling Line for Women and Girls, Mrs. Vesa Kelmendi (on-line), representative of the Global Community Engagement and Sustainability Fund (GCERF) as well as civil society organizations and other collaborators who have made this hotline possible.

“Today, two years after the signing of the tripartite operation for the whole world of the Telephone Line against Violent Extremism 0800 4545 between the Ministry of the Interior, the CVE Center and the Advice Line, we can confidently say that there is a right decision of the Albanians to design .”- were some of the opening words from the director of the CVE center, Mr. Denion Meidani…

It is important to understand that no one is born a violent extremist. Extremists are made and learned. Disarming the process of radicalism must begin with information, dialogue, respect for human rights and the rule of law., Meidani added, among other things.

Ms. Luarasi said that there have been over 400 phone calls to which CLWG has answered both for support and psycho-social counseling and for referral. She also said that the organization led by her has been extensively involved in the direct rehabilitation and reintegration process of these returnees from the conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.

The Deputy Minister of the Interior Mrs. Kuko emphasized in this activity the fact that the Balkans remain vulnerable and exposed in terms of violent extremism issues. Today, as she said, we are dealing with the phenomenon of reduced sensitivity to phenomena related to violent extremism as a result of social media. All these make the existence of this telephone line necessary as a means of support, advice, referral and information in the fight against violent extremism and radicalism.

As for his part, Mr. Chad Twitty, Public Relations Officer at the US Embassy, Tirana said that the fight against violent extremism and terrorism is a common fight and requires a union of forces, thoughts and an all-inclusive approach to win there is war. The United States of America will continue to support every initiative of the Albanian government, the Ministry of Interior to fight and oppose radicalism, violent extremism and terrorism., added Mr. Twitty…

The Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism continues to be a key element and vital part of the national strategy against violent extremism and radicalism and as such collaborates daily with civil society organizations and not only for the fulfillment of its mission in continuous efforts to successfully re-integrating returnees into the community as well as creating approaches resistant to extremist ideologies. “This fruitful cooperation between the center that I lead, government institutions and local government, civil society organizations, and our international partners, I believe, has brought about a reduction in the number of individuals who may be at risk or who have been radicalized, a decrease in the number of violent incidents and an improvement in community resilience and cohesion”.

These results make me confident in our joint work to prevent radicalism and promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This exact cooperation, and the synergies derived from it, are our greatest achievement!”- Mr. Meidani concluded his speech.