During an international conference on direct democracy and citizen participation diplomats and experts discussed the necessary steps to be taken by institutions and the public Albanian citizens are ultimately responsible for influencing their elected officials and furthering democracy in the country.

This was the main message delivered by key international representatives and by experts during a conference organised by KRIIK Albania Association. 

Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf who opened the event stated that “Direct democracy requires active citizens who are willing to invest in informing themselves and have the courage to take independent stands and own judgments”. He encouraged citizens to “lobby constructively for higher accountability and transparency in pre-election activities of Government and the political parties” – in view of the upcoming June parliamentary elections. 

EU Ambassador in Albania Romana Vlahutin said: “Parliamentary elections are coming soon. It is of paramount importance for citizens to get organised, to question, to monitor and to participate. In the coming months, the European Union Delegation will be fully engaged in supporting the stronger participation of all citizens of Albania in the management of their country”. 

US Ambassador in Albania Donald Lu said: “If we, civil society, international partners, and the media, are not eagle-eyed, corrupt politicians, judges, prosecutors and criminal bosses will try to steal this election, judicial reform and everything else in this economy”. 

The conference brought together also former officials, academics and international experts who discussed international and Albanian experiences with direct democracy and how citizens can get more informed and organised to influence decisions and policies by those in power. During the presentations from various speakers the common theme was the need of citizens to act, demand and get organised through several democratic platforms. Examples from referendums in Switzerland, citizen initiatives in the US, and plebiscites in the UK illustrated how public actors in these countries have been able to influence major or minor decisions.