Albanian Institute for International Studies

Albanian Institute for International Studies - Areas of Research

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MONTHLY BULLETIN
"EUROPA"
"EUROPA" is a monthly review whose main goal
is to bring the country's European Integration process and "Europe"
closer to Albanian
citizens. ...read more

EUROPEAN PROGRAM

AREAS OF RESEARCH
Euro-Atlantic Integration

Democracy, Security and Transition

Regional Security and Cooperation

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FORUM
Launched as the Albanian Forum initiative in 1999, the Forum evolved into the Foreign and Security Forum in 2004 due to the enlarged scope of the themes under discus-sion. Since its founding, the Forum has benefited from the financial support of: Open Society Founda-tion for Albania (SOROS) in 1999, EC Delegation in 2000, US Emba-ssy in 2001, and EC Delegation in 2002 to June 2003... ...read more

Areas of Research
AIIS main research areas are:

1. Euro-Atlantic Integration
2. Democracy, Security and Transition
3. Regional Security and Cooperation Euro-Atlantic Integration
In the last fifteen years, Albanian society has reached a remarkable unity of purpose around the concept of Euro-Atlantic Integration. Political parties, intellectuals, businesspeople and citizens all agree on the need to join "Europe." However, may be due to the sensitivity of this topic, little research or public debate has been carried out on the technical implications of this enterprise. The complexity of the process remains largely opaque to policy-makers and society at large. The need for a palpable and realistic understanding of the Euro-Atlantic Integration processes fuels the AIIS commitment to the issue. On the topic of Euro-Atlantic Integration, AIIS undertakes research, organizes international conferences, conducts broad projects and publishes the findings and the recommendations. The Institutes' dedication to Albania's integration into NATO and the European Union will continue to be pragmatic and focused on the realities of integration while striving to dismantle the false perceptions that surround it. AIIS has established in 2005 an independent research center (AIIS - Center for European Studies) focusing on contemporary issues of the European / EU policy debate. The Center's mission is to contribute towards and facilitate Albania's EU integration process by providing the policy-making community with relevant expertise and assistance.

Research and Studies
(click on "AIIS Publications" for full text of reports)

Information and Communication 2003 - Training, Workshops and Competitions for Journalists, Educators and Students Funded by EC Delegation in Albania (October 2004 - October 2005)

The overall goal of this project is to better inform strategic segments (journalists, educators and students) of Albanian society on the commonly shared views and perceptions about the EU, by enhancing the quantity and quality of knowledge on EU and the integration process. This will broaden perspectives and deepen analysis on process, which will in turn motivate Albanian people to take an active interest in the meaning of European citizenship, and to get involved in building a European future

Albania and the European Union. Funded by British Embassy and SOROS. July - December 2002, April 2004- December 2004

Through the use of surveys, this program assessed perceptions of, and the knowledge on, European Union and EU integration for Albania. The results from the survey were used to devise recommendations, to increase awareness and to combat false perceptions vis-à-vis Albanian integration into the EU

Monitoring the Stabilization Association Process (SAP)
A one-year project funded by The Open Society Foundation for Albania (SOROS) January 2004- December 2004 Though negotiations for Albanian integration into the European Union have started, the concrete evaluation and the implications of those negotiations continue to remain obscure to the general public. AIIS intends, therefore, to act as a bridge between the negotiations that involve Albanian and EU officials and Albanian society by providing a thoroughly researched trimestrial report on the steps taken in the direction of European integration.

Understanding European Integration. One year project funded by Friedrich Ebert Foundation (January - December 2004) This project aims to increase the level of knowledge on the EU, and its institutions; and increasing public awareness with respect to integration issues and the Stabilization Association process, which Albania is currently undergoing. It also seeks to encourage the participation of other actors of society in the process of integration, as well as inform the public on the profits, costs and benefits of integration, in order to avoid the disillusion of wrong concepts and expectations.

Tax Revenues and Tax Reform in Transition - The Case of Albania Supported by a grant from the CERGE-EI Foundation under a program of the Global Development Network. May- December 2004

Additional funds for grantees in the Balkan countries have been provided by the Austrian Government through WIIW, Vienna.

Conferences

National Conference: "Albania and EU Perceptions and Realities." October 2002.
National Conference: "European Integration the Challenges ahead." Joint Conference with British Association for central and Eastern Europe. September 11th, 2001

RETURN TO TOP Democracy, Security and Transition
The consolidation of democratic institutions and democratic practices is directly connected to domestic security and it guarantees sustainable stability. AIIS conducts its research along the lines of domestic security and democratic consolidation, publishes the findings and organizes conferences on these issues. In its research, the Institute also takes into account factors pertaining to civil society and the impact of civil society on domestic security. AIIS will continue to approach matters of domestic security in relation to democratic practices and to work towards the consolidation of both.

Research and Studies
(click on "AIIS Publications" for full text of reports)

Civil Coalition for Free and Fair Elections. Funded by Balkan Trust for Democracy. October 2004 - October 2005 The electoral experience of Albania in the last few years reveals that the holding of free and fair elections is one of the most sensitive issues of the entire political process and a very critical responsibility of every government. The organization of free democratic elections conforming to acceptable international standards remains a major challenge for Albania's fragile democratic system of governance. The Civil Coalition for Free and Fair Elections Project aims at raising public awareness on the relevance of conducing free and fair elections with a view to the General Elections 2005. The project is based on two main complementary components. It envisages the preparation of a policy paper based on qualitative and quantitative data aiming to point out all the issues that have marred the election processes in the post-communist Albania, going a step further in trying to identify the scope for the involvement of civil society which so far has only been focusing on the election observation. The paper will pave the way for building civil coalition for free and fair elections which will aim to lobby the government for the required reforms through offering clear policy options and at the same time serve as a facilitator linking the government with the public in this important issue.

Early Warning System (EWS) Report. Funded by UNDP. December 2003- December 2004 This project acts as an early crisis detector and can therefore be used to prevent economic and political instability. It also proposes recommendations for evading future crises within the country. The project has wide applications for the public sector, private businesses and the international community.

National Security: Strategy. Funded by US Embassy. March 2003-March 2004. Albania's National Security Strategy, adopted in January 2000, is the most fundamental policy document that identifies the major national security threats and challenges and outlines general policy guidelines to address them. However, the document reflects certain shortcomings vis-à-vis the participatory process, and the lack of input from civil society organizations. The goal of the project is to promote a national debate and provide recommendations on the major national security threats, thus contributing to the improvement of the existing national security document.

Searching for Democratic Governance at the Local Government Level. Funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED). July 1st 2002 - July 1st 2003. The second phase: April 2004- April 2005 The project focuses on accountability and responsibility at the local government. Though the use of surveys it attempts to arrive at a better understanding of electoral mentality and of the dynamics of decision making within the government. The result of this project will be used to improve the efficiency and the accountability at the local government.

Back to Albania. A one-year project funded by the EC Delegation in Albania. The project addresses the brain drain phenomenon in Albania by promoting the return of Albanians educated abroad. It aims to assist their professional integration in Albanian society. Second, it intends to strengthen civil society through the injection of abroad educated in Albania scholars.

Political Forum " Face to Face" funded by Friedrich Ebert Foundation (A one-year project December 2003- December 2004)

This political forum is an ambitious initiative that brings together representatives of the government, the opposition, nongovernmental organizations, public administration, civil society and other stakeholders in round table discussions focusing on important challenges for the development of the country. The objective of the roundtables is to solicit a constructive dialogue and possible solutions for important issues at stake.

Albania Think Again. Funded by SOROS, December 2001- June 2003.

This project aims at publishing papers by Albanian post-graduate students and foreign scholars researching Albanian issues. The papers for publication will be selected based on their quality, depth of analysis and research.

Civil - Military Relations in Albania, in cooperation with the Geneva Center for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), Sept - Dec 2002 This project evaluated transparency, accountability and the role of civil society within the broader spectrum of security reform.

State of Democracy in Albania. Funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED). June - December 2001. The project evaluated the state of democracy in Albania by taking into account the historical, together with past and present social and economic conditions. This analysis becomes useful in devising social and economic reforms, which facilitate Albania's transition to a stable democracy and freer trade economic practices. In light of the useful applications of this project, AIIS intends to pursue this line of research again in the near future.

Conferences

National Conference: "Searching for Democratic Governance at the Local Government Level October 2003. National Conference: "State of Democracy in Albania." March 2001.

RETURN TO TOP Regional Security and Cooperation
AIIS has embraced liberal institutionalism as a tool to enhance regional security in Southeastern Europe. The security and stability of Southeastern Europe depends on the building of stable democratic practices at the state level together with increased regional integration on the state as well as societal level. Hence, increased cross border cooperation, freer trade practices and closer collaboration among governmental and non-governmental institutions are imperative for the stability of the Balkan region.
AIIS, together with homologue institutions and local partners, currently work along the lines of cooperation in the Balkans. AIIS also focuses on the dismantling of myths and preconceived ideas that surround the Albanian question in this region. AIIS conducts research, follows the development in the Balkans, and organizes international symposiums and workshops in order to promote theoretical discussions and case studies analysis from the region. Apart form those, AIIS is also involved in a series of projects that help prevent the rise of instability in the region and its work will continue to center around issues of Regional Security and Cooperation in the Balkan Region.

Research and Studies
(click on "AIIS Publications" for full text of reports)

Building sustainable stability in the Weak States. A one-year project funded by Friedrich Ebert Foundation

Balkan countries are in the throes of a deep political and economic transformation whose final aim is the integration of the region in the Euro-Atlantic structures. This project explores the issues of weak state and weak state institutions, as one of the most critical threats to security and development in almost every Balkan country. The first phase of the project aims at provides a policy paper on weak states and the security problematique taking Albania as a case study. The second phase of the project seeks to raise popular awareness and promote civic participation in the state making process; promote democracy and rule of law as the only organizing ideology in the state making process; and, encourage greater transparency and accountability of state institutions through open debates, discussions, media coverage, based on the findings and recommendation of the policy paper.

"Italy's near Abroad: Perceptions and perspectives from a Geo-Political region: An Albanian point of view." A research Project funded by Centro Militare di Studi Strategici Rome, Italy June - November 2004
The main goal is to study the level of integration achieved by the countries of the region in terms of cooperation in the issues of conflict prevention and management. Analyses of the main regional security challenges will be assessed together with evaluation of the possibility of joint action against these threats to security. A specific focus will be dedicated to Italy's relationship in the region.

Balkan Security: The myth of Greater Albania. To commence in 2005. The project intends to uproot preconceived views from the mind of Balkan people of as well as academics surrounding the concept of "A Greater Albania." This project is expected to increase the level trust among the Balkan states vis-à-vis the Albanian question and it will benefit from close collaboration with homologues Institutes from Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro.

Conferences, Symposiums and Workshops

International Conference: "Albania - A Weak Democracy, A Weak State. Washington. February 2001.
International Conference: "Weak States and Security: The case of A Western Balkans".
Joint conference with Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes. November 2001.
International Symposium: "Stability Pact - Perception and Realities." April 16 2000.
International Conference: "Democratic Security and Regional Stability." February 1999.
The International Symposium: "Post War in Kosova and the Future of Security in the Region." July 1999.
The International Symposium: "Kosova: History and Reality" July 1998.

RETURN TO TOP

AIIS DONORS
European Commission's Delegation in Albania

Embassy of United States of America, (Tirana, Albania)

National Endowment for Democracy, USA

The Balkan Trust for Democracy

...and more

AIIS PARTNERS
Center for Strategic & International Studies

Austrian Institute for International Affairs

Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy

...and more

USEFUL LINKS

THINK TANK ORGANIZATIONS

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), USA

European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN)

European Stability Initiative

Euro Balkan Institute, Macedonia

International Crisis Group

Kosovan Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), Kosovo

Center for Strategic Research and Documentation, Macedonia

Center for Civic Initiatives (CCI), Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Greece

Institute for European Studies

Centre for Liberal Strategies, Bulgaria

The Balkans
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Institute for War and Peace Reporting

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Institutions - Albania

Council of Ministers

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Ministry of Defense

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Last updated 2/4/08• webmaster@aiis-albania.org