Two awareness-raising activities were organized in Shkodër and Lezhë in collaboration with local actors such as the Local Police Directorate and the Local Education Office, who in their messages underlined the need for everyone to be together in this campaign to say YES to life and NO to weapons.
Youth from the high school "At Gjon Karma", Shkodër, engaged for several years in Terre des hommes programs, together with their peers from the high schools "28 Nëntori", "Oso Kuka" and "Adem Haxhija", in these days of charged with conflicts between minors and loss of life, through an artistic program prepared by themselves, they gave important awareness messages emphasizing the dangers of keeping and using firearms. During their performances, the young people shared important messages about life, peace and the importance of resolving conflicts without weapons and violence. The need to take public safety measures, increase the awareness of the population and the importance of family, school, community cooperation to avoid the use of small and light weapons, were the main messages that young people shared today among their peers.
The awareness activity in Lezhë was organized at the Palace of Culture "Ded Ndue Lazri". Through monologue, music, drama and artistic performances they called on everyone that it is in their power to change the current and choose peace. Representatives from the Municipality of Lezhe, the Education Directorate of Lezha, the Local Police Directorate of Lezha, the Local Education Office, Terre des hommes and OSCE invited young people and the community to cooperate with professionals working with children and to seek help when they encounter difficulties. Young people were urged to find support in family and community and alternative methods to respond to violence. Books, friends, communication, and tolerance are the perfect way to say NO to arms and embrace life!
The need for public safety measures, raising population awareness and the importance of family, school, community cooperation are necessary to have a safe community.
These vents were organized by Terre des hommes in support of cooperation with the OSCE, The Ministry of Interior and The State Police in the framework of the project "Assistance to the authorities of the Republic of Albania to reduce the risk of weapons proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons", which is implemented by OSCE Presence in Albania with the financial support of the European Union in Albania, Germany and France.