Highlights of our Education & Community Development work

We strongly believe that long-term change can only be brought about when community members themselves become agents of change. Likewise, the process of further democratization of public institutions can only be achieved through the commitment and active participation of public servants in this democratization. 

In both arenas MWL actively works to empower individuals to become positive forces for change by providing civic, leadership and service-learning training. Conducting 15 training sessions for public servants, MWL was able to engage teachers, social workers, nurses, doctors and public administrators of benefit programmes. In total, 240 service providers received training from Mary Ward’s ASCs last year.

Additionally, MWL organized 36 training sessions designed to support youth civic engagement. 

Service learning initiatives

We are undertaking further work to achieve lasting systemic change through a series of ‘service learning’ projects. Service learning is an approach which equips young individuals with essential interpersonal and civic skills through participation in training and real-word application. The following service-learning informed initiatives were designed and implemented by the youth clubs of Saranda, Delvina, Lezha, Mirdita and Tropoja during the course of 2021. 

Public Demonstrations

Both MWL Advice and Service Centres in Lezha and Rreshen have organized protest actions surrounding sexual abuse cases involving minors in Lezha and Mirdita. Three cases of abuse have recently come to light in Lezha alone. In general, school principals and teachers are hesitant to report suspected cases of abuse. Similarly, MWL staff have noticed a general reluctance among governmental institutions and NGOs to publicly engage and confront such crimes. The importance of communities being vocal in solidarity against abuse, and in demanding that the authorities take more action, cannot be understated.