Junior Achievement of Albania

JA of Albania is a strategic investment of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) developed with the institutional support of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth of Albania. The mission of Junior Achievement in Albania is to promote and support economic education and entrepreneurship among Albanian youth. “Debating Economics” is a program implemented by Junior Achievement of Albania in 12 Universities in Albania, such as in Tirana, Elbasan, Vlore, Shkoder, Durres and Korçe and soon in 80 high schools, one in every of 61 municipalities of Albania. The project aims to build the culture of debate among youth in Albania, encouraging critical thinking, creative problem solving, research and argumentation on economic policy issues, public speaking skills, freedom of speech and leadership in Albania.

JAA with its practical methodology imparts knowledge on economics to young people thereby:

-Narrowing the gap between theoretical and practical learning.

-Raising awareness and increasing knowledge on financial and entrepreneurial competencies.

-Developing a culture of youth self-employment and entrepreneurship.

-Helping young people make the right career choices.

“Debating Economics” program, among its implementation, introduces the Albanian youth to the international debate program, offers a contribution to the continuous education of civic and democratic values and practices and to the creation of a healthy leadership culture of the country. The Debate program is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Education, Regional Education Directorates, Partnering Universities, Enrolled High Schools all over Albania. Debate as a lifelong Learning Process offers to youth leaders and to other community’s members the opportunity to examine issues affecting their lives and their communities; to create broad and inclusive debate clubs that encourage participation of all interested young students, promote, organize and sustain their activity all through the academic year and beyond. Debate as an alternative form of education can be developed in many formats that will engage students to understand policy processes and to realize how they can contribute and ask for better solutions for their communities. This program trains and empowers students to enjoy and take control over their own education.