On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Schuman declaration, European Movement in Albania (EMA), in cooperation with the universities of “Zonja e Keshillit te Mire” (Tirana), “Aleksander Moisiu” (Durres) and the EU Info Points located within the universities has initiated an EU competition. This competition will be organized between two teams composed of 10 to 15 political science students, representing each of these universities. The competition will be focusing on the most important historical events of the European Union as well as the integration process of Albania. The purpose of this activity is to inform and raise students’ awareness on EU issues by promoting EU values and principles.

The event, which began on the 15th of March and will last until Europe Day, is split into three stages. The first stage consisted in the advertisement in both universities of the launching of the contest aimed at students interested in EU issues. This phase proved to be successful thanks to the support of the EU Info Points and the academic staff in each of the universities involved given their contribution in the selection process of the interested students.

The second phase is going to be organized in the end of April. The selected students will be undertaking a two-day training session on several European issues. It will cover the history of the EU, starting with the review of the Schuman declaration and its implications for the future of the European Union, and continuing onto the integration process of Albania in the Union.

The competition will reach its peak at the national conference on Europe Day. Both teams will be present for the events in Tirana. The attending audience will be composed by students, academics, researchers, and journalists. At the end of the competition, a professional jury will determine the winning team who will then receive the prize during the second part of the national conference on the day. Key national and international personalities will later discuss the founding values of the European Union and the importance of the integration process for Albania.