CALL FOR PAPERS Conference on “Migration, Diaspora and Development in Albania and in the Western Balkans”, 27-28 October 2017, Tirana, Albania.Posted: June 29, 2017
Call for Papers CESS
CALL FOR PAPERS
Conference on “Migration, Diaspora and Development in Albania and in the Western Balkans”, 27-28 October 2017, Tirana, Albania.
This conference is supported by the CEI (Central European Initiative). The organiser of the conference is Center for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Tirana, which is part of the Western Balkans Migration Network (WB-MIGNET), in collaboration with Private Mediterranean University of Albania.
The themes of the conference are clear from its title: the relationship between migration, diaspora and development in Albania and the Western Balkans. It is expected that particular foci for papers will be questions relating to savings and remittances, return migration, brain drain/brain gain and developmentally productive links with the region’s diasporic populations. Papers should be based on research evidence (surveys, primary and secondary data analysis), or address questions of diaspora-development theory or policy in the region. Papers which compare the experiences of two or more countries are also welcome.
Keynote speakers:
Prof. Russell King, University of Sussex
Prof. Aija Lulle, University of Latvia
Dr. Ferruccio Pastore, International and European Forum on Migration Research, Turin
Key dates:
Abstract submission: 5 September 2017
Acceptance notification: 20 September 2017
Early registration deadline: 22 September 2017
Full paper submission: 10 October 2017
Final registration deadline: 27 October 2017
Conference dates: 27-28 October 2017
Submission process:
The Call for Papers is now open. Submissions of papers are welcome from scholars, experts, policy makers and PhD students carrying out research in the field of migration.
Please submit an abstract of maximum 300 words, in MS Word format, name and email of the corresponding author to cess@cessalbania.al. The selection committee will review abstracts and participants will be notified on the due date.
Venue: The conference will takes place at the Private Mediterranean University of Albania, Blv. Gjergj Fishta, Nr. 52, Tirana, Albania. Further guidelines for submission of the full paper will be available at the conference website (www.cessalbania.al) soon.
Publication opportunities:
Selected papers from the conference will be considered for publication by two prestigious peer reviewed journals.
Conference fees:
- Early-bird registration (before 1.9.2017): EUR 50
Late registration (after 1.9.2017): EUR 70
- WB-MIGNET members: free
- Students: free
More information and updates about the conference will be available soon at: www.cessalbania.al
Travel and accommodation:
We are currently negotiating special price for accommodation with several hotel in Tirana for conference participants. Please check the conference website www.cessalbania.al for updates on this.
Conference: Migration and Diaspora: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy, 10th-11th November 2016, GjakovaPosted: October 18, 2016
University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”
in collaboration with
University of New York Tirana
and
University of Jyväskylä in Finland
organise the conference
Migration and Diaspora: Bridging the Gap between Research and Policy
10th-11th November 2016, Gjakova
The conference’s aim is to bring together scholars and policy makers of migration issues, broadly understood, from Albania, Kosovo and Finland to share their ideas and research findings. The aim of the activity is also to become a point of contact and networking for scholars interested in the themes of the conference in order to foster future collaborations. The main themes of the conference will be on:
- Research-Policy Dialogue on migration issues
- Transnationalism, Diaspora engagement and entrepreneurship
- Citizenship, access to labour rights and social protection
- Trade Unions attitudes towards migration
- Migrants’ attitudes towards Trade Unions
- Return migration, reintegration and labour markets
- Gendered responses to the economic crisis
- Intersectionality in the labour market
This conference is organized as joint collaboration between University of New York Tirana in Albania, University of Gjakova in Kosovo and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, in the framework of the RRPP project “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans: Case studies from Albania and Kosovo migration towards Greece, Germany and Switzerland”, Dr. Erka Caro, PI and Dr. Mimoza Dushi, researcher.(For more details please refer to http://icm-westernbalkans.com/project-description-2/).
Venue: University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”, str. Ismail Qemalin.n. 50000 Gjakova, Kosovo
Sincerely,
Dr. Erka Caro
Coordinator of ICM Project
Dr. Mimoza Dushi
Researcher & Conference Coordinator
Venue: University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani” Rr. Ismail Qemali p.n. 50000 Gjakovë, Kosovo
This conference is organized in the framework of the project “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans: Case studies from Albania and Kosovo migration towards Greece, Germany and Switzerland”. This project is supported by Regional Research Promotion Programe. For more information the projectvisit:www.icm-westernbalkans.com
Conference: Migration and Diaspora: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy, 10th-11th November 2016, GjakovaPosted: October 10, 2016
University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”
in collaboration with
University of New York Tirana and
University of Jyväskylä in Finland
organise the
Conference Migration and Diaspora: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy
10th-11th November 2016, Gjakova
The conference’s aim is to bring together scholars and policy makers of migration issues, broadly understood, from Albania, Kosovo and Finland to share their ideas and research findings. The aim of the activity is also to become a point of contact and networking for scholars interested in the themes of the conference in order to foster future collaborations. The main themes of the conference will be on:
- Research-Policy Dialogue on migration issues
- Transnationalism, Diaspora engagement and entrepreneurship
- Citizenship, access to labour rights and social protection
- Trade Unions attitudes towards migration
- Migrants’ attitudes towards Trade Unions
- Return migration, reintegration and labour markets
- Gendered responses to the economic crisis
- Intersectionality in the labour market
This conference is organized as joint collaboration between University of New York Tirana in Albania, University of Gjakova in Kosovo and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, in the framework of the RRPP project “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans: Case studies from Albania and Kosovo migration towards Greece, Germany and Switzerland”, Dr. Erka Caro, PI and Dr. Mimoza Dushi, researcher.(For more details please refer to http://icm-westernbalkans.com/project-description-2/).
Venue: University of Gjakova “FehmiAgani”, str. Ismail Qemalin.n. 50000 Gjakova, Kosovo
Sincerely,
Erka Caro
Coordinator of ICM Project
Njoftim per shtyp-Konferencë Ndërkombëtare: Migrimi i Punës dhe Qytetaria IndustrialePosted: November 4, 2015
Njoftim per shtyp
TIRANA – Kur çështja e emigracionit është kthyer në një nga sfidat më të mëdha për botën e sotme në përgjithësi por edhe për Shqipërinë, Ballkanin dhe Europën në veçanti, ICM-Western Balkans, Universiteti i New York-ut në Tiranë, Universiteti i Prishtinës dhe Universiteti i Jyväskylä në Finlandë do të zhvillojnë një konferencë ndërkombëtare mbi migracionin e punës dhe qytetarinë industriale duke u fokusuar mbi Shqiptarët në lëvizje, identitetin, zhvillimin dhe qytetarinë. Konferenca do të mbahet në datat 13-14 nëntor, 2015 në Tiranë me pjesëmarrjen e aktorëve të shumtë e përfaqësuesve të rëndësishëm nga shoqëria civile, organet qeveritare dhe akademikë të njohur ndërkombëtarisht në këtë fushë.
Koordinatore e projektit ICM-Westen Balkans është Dr. Erka Çaro e cila është lektore hulumtuese shkencore në Departamentin e Shkencës Sociale dhe Filozofisë në Universitetin e Jyväskylä në Finlandë, njëkohësisht e angazhuar në Universitetin e Tiranës dhe atë të New York-ut në Tiranë. Dr. Mimoza Dushi është kordinatorja e institutit partner, Universitetit të Prishtinës. Dr. Dushi është mësimdhënëse në këtë universitet.
Konferenca bazohet kryesisht në punën kërkimore të projektit mbi ‘Qytetarinë Industriale dhe Migrimin e Punës nga Ballkani Perëndimor’ qëllimi i të cilit është studimi i përvojës së qytetarisë industriale të punëtorëve emigrantë që vijnë nga Ballkani Perëndimor në Bashkimin Evropian. Termi “Qytetari Industriale” ka të bëjë me arritjet dhe integrimin e migrantëve në tregun e punës dhe fokusi kryesor janë rastet e studimit të emigrantëve shqiptarë në Greqi, Zvicër dhe Gjermani. Projekti është i financuar nga Universiteti i Friburgut në Zvicër në kuadër të RRPP (Regional Research Promotion Program). Ai realizohet nëpërmjet Universitetit të New York të Tiranës dhe Universitetit të Prishtinës, ndërsa monitorohet nga Universiteti i Jyvaskulës në Finlandë.
Midis të ftuarve të shumtë spikatin figura të njohura në fushën e politikbërjes sic janë Ministri i Diasporës në Kosovë, Z. Valon Murati, Zv. Ministrja e Ministrisë së Punëve të Brendshmë, Znj. Elona Gjebrea dhe Zv.Ministrja e Ministrisë së Mirqënies Sociale dhe Rinisë Znj. Gentjana (Mara) Sula.
Si dhe figura të shquara akademike si Prof. Russell King i cili ka realizuar një numër të konsiderueshëm të studimeve migratore në Shqipëri, Prof. Nathan Lillie Dr. Ajay Bailey dhe Dr. Mark Hill, që kanë dhënë dhe vazhdojnë të japin kontribut të shquar në studimet migratore, metodologjinë dhe teoritë në lidhje me këtë cështje studimi.
E vërteta është se ka shumë pak kërkime lidhur me statusin, qëndrimet dhe strategjitë që migrantët shqipëtarë nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova ndjekin për të depërtuar suksesshëm në tregun e punës në vende të ndryshme europiane. Gjatë viteve të fundit, lëvizja e shqipëtarëvë nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova drejt vendeve të BE-së është intensifikuar ndërsa janë shfaqur trende të reja të kësaj lëvizshmërie.
Nocionet e identitetit, përkatësisë, integrimit dhe formave të tjera të shtetësisë po sfidohen dita-ditës nga format e reja të lëvizshmërisë. Por si ndikojnë këto forma të reja tek zhvillimi i shtetësisë industriale midis migrantëve nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova? Pikërisht kjo konferencë do të kontribuojë në këtë debat që vazhdon dhe do të propozojë studime që kanë të bëjnë me transformimin aktual të politikës së migracionit të punës në përgjithësi, kuptimin e nocionit ‘migrant’ dhe pozicionin në ndryshim të vazhdueshëm të tyre në tregun e punës në vendin ku kanë emigruar.
Pergatitur nga: Erka ÇARO
A e njeh sot veten emigranti shqiptar? – Kjo Konferencë do ti japë përgjigjjePosted: August 13, 2015
nga Erka Caro
TIRANA – Kur çështja e emigracionit është kthyer në një nga sfidat më të mëdha për botën e sotme në përgjithësi por edhe për Shqipërinë, Ballkanin dhe Europën në veçanti, ICM-Western Balkans dhe Universiteti i New York-ut në Tiranë do të zhvillojnë një konferencë ndërkombëtare mbi migracionin e punës dhe qytetarinë industriale në datat 13-14 nëntor, 2015 në Tiranë me pjesëmarrjen e shumë emrave të njohur ndërkombëtarisht në këtë fushë.
Koordinatore e projektit ICM-Westen Balkans është Dr. Erka Çaro e cila është lektore hulumtuese shkencore në Departamentin e Shkencës Sociale dhe Filozofisë në Universitetin e Jyväskylä në Finlandë, njëkohësisht e angazhuar në Universitetin e Tiranës dhe atë të New York-ut në Tiranë.
Konferenca bazohet kryesisht në punën kërkimore të projektit mbi ‘Qytetarinë Industriale dhe Migrimin e Punës nga Ballkani Perëndimor’ qëllimi i të cilit është studimi i përvojës së qytetarisë industriale të punëtorëve emigrantë që vijnë nga Ballkani Perëndimor në Bashkimin Evropian. Termi “Qytetari Industriale” ka të bëjë me arritjet dhe integrimin e migrantëve në tregun e punës dhe fokusi kryesor janë rastet e studimit të emigrantëve shqiptarë në Greqi, Zvicër dhe Gjermani. Projekti është i financuar nga Universiteti i Friburgut në Zvicër në kuadër të RRPP (Regional Research Promotion Program). Ai realizohet nëpërmjet Universitetit të New York të Tiranës dhe Universitetit të Prishtinës, ndërsa monitorohet nga Universiteti i Jyvaskulës në Finlandë.
Midis të ftuarve të shumtë spikat Prof. Russell King i cili ka realizuar një numër të konsiderueshëm të studimeve migratore në Shqipëri, Prof. Nathan Lillie, Dr. Ajay Bailey dhe Dr. Mark Hill.
E vërteta është se ka shumë pak kërkime lidhur me statusin, qëndrimet dhe strategjitë që migrantët shqipëtarë nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova ndjekin për të penetruar suksesshëm në tregun e punës në vende të ndryshme europiane. Gjatë viteve të fundit, lëvizja e shqipëtarëvë nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova drejt vendeve të BE-së është intensifikuar ndërsa janë shfaqur trende të reja të kësaj lëvizshmërie.
Nocionet e identitetit, përkatësisë, integrimit dhe formave të tjera të shtetësisë po sfidohen dita-ditës nga format e reja të lëvizshmërisë. Por si ndikojnë këto forma të reja tek zhvillimi i shtetësisë industriale midis migrantëve nga Shqipëria dhe Kosova? Pikërisht kjo konferencë do të kontribuojë në këtë debat që vazhdon dhe do të propozojë studime që kanë të bëjnë me transformimin aktual të politikës së migracionit të punës në përgjithësi, kuptimin e nocionit ‘migrant’ dhe pozicionin në ndryshim të vazhdueshëm të tyre në tregun e punës në vendin ku kanë emigruar.
http://infoalbania.al/a-e-njeh-sot-veten-emigranti-shqiptar-kjo-konference-do-ti-jape-pergjigjje/#.Vcr-vBVo32w.facebook
CALL FOR PAPERS : International Conference on Labor Migration and Industrial Citizenship. 13th and 14th November, 2015. Tirana, AlbaniaPosted: July 9, 2015
International Conference on Labor Migration and
Industrial Citizenship
Albanians on the move – Citizenship, identity and development
University of New York Tirana
Tirana, 13th and 14th November, 2015
CALL FOR PAPERS
There exist a growing body of literature, academic and policy interest on migrant status, conditions and involvement in the labor markets of the host societies. The labor market and its institutions provide one of the most visible political arenas, in which the position of the migrant is being negotiated, defined and governed. It has long been noted that recent and temporary immigrants ‘self-exploit’ or allow themselves to be employed under conditions which native workers would not accept (Piori 1979), and migrants from Albania and Kosovo have been no exception to this. Nonetheless, as time goes on and integration proceeds immigrants begin to demand the same security and protection as natives. There is little research on the status, attitudes and strategies Albanian migrants from Albania and Kosovo employ to integrate and succeed in the labour market in diverse EU countries. During the past few years, labor mobility from Albania and Kosovo toward EU countries has intensified while new trends of return and circular migration have emerged. Notions of identity, belonging, integration and (several forms of) citizenship are challenged by the new forms of mobility. How do these impact the development of industrial citizenship among migrants from Albania and Kosovo?
This conference aims to contribute to this ongoing debate and proposes to draw together studies that engage with the current transformation of the politics of labor migration, the meaning of ‘migrant(s)’ and their changing positionality into the labor market in the host society. It intends to explore the formation of industrial citizenship for Albanian labor migrants (both from Albania and from Kosovo) in the time of austerity. It gives more nuances to the woes of (often) unprotected migrants and focuses on the strategies and attitudes Albanian labour migrants in several EU countries, such as Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Germany, employ in the search for economic security. The conference further discusses:
Labor migration flows (permanent, temporary, circular and return) at different levels; for example how migrant workers negotiate and express their industrial citizenship, (e.g., in implicit and explicit, actions, attitudes or behaviours); How the global economic crisis has affected migrants in EU labour markets?What are the migrant strategies of adaption?; What the union strategies to organize and represent migrants are?'; How migrants respond to competitive labor market norms.; How the normative dimension affects the incorporation of migrants in the host country society and labor market?; What the measures and policies governments take to foster migrant issues, etc. are?
This conference is organized as joint collaboration between University of New York Tirana, University of Prishtina and the University of Jyväskulä, in the framework of the project “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans: Case studies from Albania and Kosovo migration towards Greece,Germany and Switzerland”. This project is supported by Regional Research Promotion Programe.
The Conference will hold specialized paper presentation panels. The conference will attract scholars of migration with different disciplinary backgrounds. The aims of the call is to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers, policy-makers, students, and practitioners and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of migration. We plan to combine empirical and theoretical work to answer these questions but slightly favour papers with an empirical approach in disciplines where such research is done.
Topics of interest include:
Labor migration and industrial citizenship;
Labor market segmentation – Precarious and flexible work;
Negotiate the boundaries of legitimacy/illegitimacy;
Union strategies to organize and represent migrants;
Agency of migrant workers – Between integration and stigmatization;
Return Migration and reintegration strategies;
Citizenship, identity and migration';
Diasporas, social and financial remittances;
Feminization of labor migration;
Gender, family and migration
Keynote speakers:
Nathan Lillie, Professor of Social Policy, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Dr. Lillie directed the European Research Consortium funded project “Transnational Work and Evolution of Sovereignty” on the regulation of posted work in the European Union, and is currently directing the Academy of Finland funded project “Industrial Citizenship and Labour Mobility in the EU: a Migrant Centered Study of Estonia-Finland and Albania-Italy Labour Mobility.” His main area of research is labour migration and industrial relations.
Russell King, Professor of Geography (Geography, Sussex Centre for Migration Research), University of Sussex. Visiting Professor of Migration Studies (and former Willy Brandt Guest Professor), Malmö University, Sweden. Russell’s research interests are focused on the study of migration, which he has been researching now for 35 years. At Sussex he was Dean of the School of European Studies (1998-2001), Head of the Geography Department (2004-07) and Director of the Sussex Centre for Migration Research (1998-2011). His main areas of research and teaching are the aging care and migration, Albanian, Italian migration, children and migration, cultural geography, generations, geographies of socialist and post socialist development, higher education international student migration/mobility, Southern Europe.
Dr.A.(Ajay)Bailey, Assistant Professor in Population Studies, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands. Dr. Bailey works as Researcher and Training Co-coordinator at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. His research interests include migration, demography, anthropology and health policy & services. He has been Principal Investigator in several Research Projects such as: “The Migrant Suitcase: examining the flow of norms, practices, identities and social capital between India and the Netherlands”; “Ageing and Well-being in a Globalising World”; “Care from India: exploring Indian nurse migration and reception in Northern Netherlands”.
Paper Submission guidelines
The official language of the conference is English. If you wish to present a paper at the Conference please submit an abstract in English language (no more than 300 words) and a short bio to ICMwesternbalkan@unyt.edu.al. Please subject the heading “ICM_Name_Surname” and attach abstracts. Use APA style, please see abstract and full paper guidelines. All abstracts will be evaluated by members of scientific committee. No participation fee will be charged for participants as the conference is supported financially both by RRPP and University of New York Tirana.
Important Dates
05.10.2015 Submission deadline for all abstracts
05.11.2015 Full paper deliverance
25.10.2015 Notification of selection for abstracts
01.11.2015 Deadline for registration
13.11.2015 Opening of the Conference
Proceeding and Publication in Journal
All accepted and registered abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings with ISBN. A selection of best papers from the conference will be considered for publication in a special issue or edited volume in an international journal of migration studies.
Transport Venue, Travel & accommodation information
The conference takes place at the campus of University of New York Tirana. The campus is located at Kodra e Diellit, Tirana, Albania. Tel + 355 4 4512345. Information on how to reach the UNYT can be found here. A mini bus that goes from Wisdom University at Komuna e Parisit (UNYT old campus) to UNYT campus will be provided free of charge for conference participants.
Coming in Tirana:
By plane: Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza
By public transport: Rinas Express operates 12 hours (6 am to 6 pm) as an hourly bus service between the Airport and the National Museum in the centre of Tirana. The single fare is 250 Albanian Leke.
By Taxi: Contact: Phone: +355 4 2222 122. Mobile: +355 66 20 80191, +355 66 20 08873. Tirana Airport taxi service is provided by ATExshpk.www.atex.al . The journey from Tirana to the airport takes 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs about 2,500 Leke (18 EUR) one way.
City Map: You can use the city map of Tirana for more detailed route information within the city.
Explore Tirana–Search for restaurants, shops, monuments, museums, views. etc. See Tirana in Your Pocket
Accommodation in Tirana
For other accommodation opportunities in Tirana and/or booking, please click to see the extended list of Hotels in Tirana.
Contact us
You may contact conference coordinators at ICMwesternbalkan@unyt.edu.al or armelaxhaho@unyt.edu.al
for any questions about the conference or paper submissions. Mobile :+355 67 4147534
Information on the ICM Project
For more information on the project “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans. Case studies from Albania and Kosovo migration towards Greece, Germany and Switzerland” please visit our website www.icm-westernbalkans.com and RRPP website http://www.rrppwesternbalkans.net/en/research/Current-Projects/Migration/Industrial-Citizenship-and-Migration.html.
The RRPP is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). The Local Coordination Unit in Albania is the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM). The programme is fully funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
News for MigrationPosted: May 3, 2015
News from Kosovan MigrationPosted: May 3, 2015
News from Albanian MigrationPosted: May 3, 2015
Projekti ICM ne bashkepunim me Universitetin e Gjakoves organizuan trajnim 2 ditor mbi metodat e kerkimit shkencor, Durres 28-29 Shtator 2016
Universiteti i Gjakovës “Fehmi Agani” në bashkëpunim me projektin hulumtues “Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkan” (Shtetësia Industriale dhe migrimi nga Ballkani Perëndimor), kanë organizuar trajnimin dy-ditor për ngritje kapacitetesh në hulumtime shkencore me titull “Metodologjia e Hulumtimit Shkencor”. Trajnimi është mbajtur në Durrës, me 28-29 Shtator 2016 dhe pjesëmarrës ishin personeli akademik i Universitetit të Gjakovës, Universitetit New York të Tiranës dhe Universitetit të Tiranës.Qëllimi i këtij trajnimi ishte njoftimi me metodologjitë e reja të hulumtimit, kryesisht në shkencat sociale. Në ditën e parë u shqyrtuan metodat sasiore, përfshirë qasjet teorike, mënyra a mbledhjes së të dhënave me atë të anketave dhe analiza e tyre me programin SPSS. Ndërsa, dita e dytë kishte të bënte me hulumtimet cilësore, e përqendruar në metodën e intervistës, fokus gupet, vëzhgimet dhe pastaj analizat e transkripteve meprogramin MAXqda
International Conference on Labor Migration and Industrial Citizenship : Albanians on the move – Citizenship, identity and development” held in Tirana, 13-14 November 2015
International Conference on Labor Migration and Industrial Citizenship : Albanians on the move – Citizenship, identity and development” held in Tirana, 13th and 14th November, 2015 at the University of New York Tirana, Albania.
ICM Team participate in PBI Workshop October 1-3, 2015 – Petrovac, Montenegro
Developing effective strategies & communication tools for policy advocacy
A workshop for RRPP Researchers on the Policy Bridging
Initiative, Development Stream
October 1-3, 2015 – Petrovac, Montenegro
Facilitators: Eóin Young & Vladimir Pavlovic,
International Centre for Policy Advocacy
www.icpolicyadvocacy.org
Research team participate in The Fourth International Scientific Conference 2th May 2015, Durrës, Albania
“ALEKSANDËR MOISIU” UNIVERSITY OF DURRËS
Faculty of Political Sciences and Law
In cooperation with
Tirana University, Institute for European Studies
“Hasan Prishtina” University, Pristina (Kosovo) Faculty of Philosophy
Southeast European University (Tetovo, Macedonia)
Institute of Political Studies, (Tirana, Albania)
Center for Good Governance, (Tirana, Albania)
Organized Fourth International Scientific Conference
STATE, SOCIETY AND LAW: ALBANIANS 25 YEARS FROM THE CHANGES OF SYSTEMS
A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF TRADEUNIONS IN ALBANIA:STRUGGLING FOR
LEGITIMACY AND WORKERS’RIGHTS
Armela Xhaho & Erka Caro
Abstract
This study aims to provide a general overview and historical context of Trade Unions in Albania along with their challenges, opportunities and evolving strategies during 25 years of transition from state controlled economy to a market economy. Most of 83 trade unions established and working in Albania operate under the umbrella of the two confederations, the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH) and the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH), which both represent about 90% of the members of trade unions in Albania, whereas the rest operate independently. National Labor Council (NLC) is the highest cooperation system of tripartite social dialogue in Albania, represented by members from trade unions, employer organizations and state institutions. Although trade unions in Albania are represented in the National Labour Council with 10 members, they still struggle for legitimacy, enforcement of many collective bargaining agreements and resolution of conflicts through mediation and social dialogue. Unions are constantly involved in a battle for institutional representation, struggles to raise the level of unionization, inter- cooperation and representation of labor work force.
Taking in consideration the unique nature of economic, political and social transformation that took place in Albania after the downfall of communism regime, this paper represent the first study to trace and analyze the core services and benefits of trade union movements in Albania, a general background and context of their organization, how they are designed and administered, their external/international collaborators, their financing mechanisms and the hardships that the unions face in providing these services and benefits.
The paper examines as well the challenges in both trade union membership and density by looking at the strategies undertaken by trade unions to recruit new members, especially in areas other than the traditional core union ranks considering women and youth activation, as well as their mobilization in improving wage levels and working conditions. Given that trade unions in Albania are almost fragmented and weekly represented especially in the private sector, this study is an attempt to reveal patterns of their organizations, to outline current trends, and to draw possible conclusions and recommendations for assisting trade union in identifying strategic ways of orientation and improvements in protecting workers’ rights.
Key words ; trade unions,labor, workers’ rights,confederations, employer, employee, social dialogue, membership
Participation in the open seminar “Exploring Migration in Albania and Greece. Universiteti Tiranes 30 Prill
Armela Xhaho participated in the Workshop -Exploring Migration in Albania and Greece FSHS Universiteti Tiranes 30 Prill
Place : Fakulteti i Shkencave Sociale, Universiteti i Tiranes
Date: 30 Prill, 2015
Time: 09:30
Auditori: nr 1
Policy Link & Brief Writing Workshop – Policy Bridging Initiative – Link Stream 14- 16 May 2015. Durres, Albania
List of Researcher who will present
Engendering forced migration, socio-political transition and mental health in BiH, Serbia and Kosovo
Nina Bosankic (BiH);
Danica Ciric (SRB);
Fitore Seferi (KOS).
Gender that matters: Poverty and Social Inclusion – Social Protection Status in Rural Kosovo and Serbia
Jelena Ceriman (SRB);
Ana Marija Ivkovic (KOS).
Industrial Citizenship and Migration from Western Balkans. A Migrant Centred Study of Albania-Greece and Kosovo-Germany Migration
Erka Caro (ALB);
Mimoza Dushi (KOS);
Armela Xhalo (KOS).
Migration as social protection: Analysis of Macedonian, Albanian and Serbian remittance-receiving households
Despina Petreska (MAC);
Aleksandra Anic (SRB);
Alba Vrapi (ALB).
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Policy Link & Brief Writing Workshop – Policy Bridging Initiative – Link Stream
This workshop builds on 10 years of ICPA experience of mentoring policy researchers and academics and in line with the focus of the policy link stream of PBI ( http://www.icpolicyadvocacy.org/programmes/researcher-apprenticeship/pbi/link) aims to equip participants with the requisite policy literacy and skills to bridge the relevant evidence and insights from their research into the target policy dialogue . Built around the analysis of real samples and cases of policy focused research, the workshop covers:
Policy research and its role in the decision making process;
Putting the policy element into the research design from the start;
Developing a suitable pathway or link into the policy making discussion and decision-making process;
Producing targeted policy briefs to support your policy linking activities.
The workshop is interactive in nature and all elements of the training begin with analysis, reading and discussions in pairs and groups. Run over 3 days, participants get the insight and resources needed to put together a plan on more clearly develop their project more policy relevant and indeed will have the opportunity to start this planning on day 3 and get feedback from peers and ICPA trainers.
Presentation of Dr. Mimoza Dushi at University of Innsbruck, Austria.”External Migration and European Identity. Case of Kosovo“
“External Migration and European Identity. Case of Kosovo”
6. May 2015, 17:00
Seminarraum des Instituts für Erziehungswissenschaft,
Liebeneggstraße 8, 6020 Innsbruck
External migration in Kosovo toward European countries has started in early ‘70s with guest workers, as result of a bilateral agreement between ex-Yugoslavia and west European countries (Swiss and Germany). Than during ‘80s and ‘90s has been taken place mainly migration for political reasons but without excluding those for economic reasons, as well. Than, after 2000 are migration for family reunion, marriages, education, etc. Initially all these migrations tend to be temporary migrants, however the majority of them ended up being long term and permanent migrants. This article highlight the practice of Industrial Citizenship (T.H. Marshall, 1950) among kosovar migrants into Europe, who’s often miss their voice and exit opportunities to protect rights and defend their interests in satisfactory level. We argue that due of their low education, difficulties to learn foreign language and often social and spatial segregation, their integration into host societies was poor and hard to achieve. Moreover, the absence of state in their country of origin has created a sense of living as a second-class people and a feeling of inferiority. This situation has led them to stay connected within their community, in way to help and protect each other. However, considering the advantages of living in Europe many of them decided to stay and make living into host countries, often bringing their family members along.
Research team will participate in RRPP Annual Conference 2015 in Ohrid, Macedonia, 28-29 May 2015
RRPP Annual Conference that will take place in Ohrid, Macedonia, from 28-29 May 2015.
“Social, Political and Economic Change in the Western Balkans”
Main objectives of the conference are:
To discuss current challenges, ambivalences and prospects for the transformation process of the Western Balkan states and societies;
To exploit potential areas and opportunities to more effectively influence policy development and policy making, based on viable scientific research results;
To provide a forum for researchers dealing with the region to network, exchange and discuss their research projects and results.
Eligible Candidates
• PhD students and recent PhD graduates (2011 and later) dealing with the Western Balkans, eager to present and discuss their research projects with colleagues from the region and beyond (especially current research results) that relate to our general topic “Social, Political and Economic Change in the Western Balkans”.
• Submitted applications shall contain a social science perspective, apply scientific theoretical concepts and focus on one of the following priority areas:
1) Governance and decentralization with focus on prerequisites for “good governance” and democratization “from below”;
2) Migration with the particular attention to return, circular migration and political or economic participation (of returnees);
3) Social disparities and welfare state centered around social and economic challenges in the post-conflict region;
• Papers to be presented can handle topics within the region in general or deal with the processes of change in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
The selected candidates will be able to share and discuss their work in one of the panels, wherein researchers involved in RRPP-funded projects will also present their research results. For more information about the current round of the RRPP research proposals, please visit the RRPP Website sectionCurrent Projects.
Programme
Participants will be informed about the programme and specific panels of the conference as well as all relevant technical details in due course. The RRPP Website will also be updated on regular basis.
The organisers reserve the right to limit the number of applicants accepted to participate at the conference.
For more information about our previous conferences held in 2011, 2012 and 2013 please visit our website.
