Albania’s Students Are Taking Democracy Forward

Three years ago, few would have imagined that the same halls where members of parliament pass on their way to committee meetings would be filled with students like Rafael, learning how legislation is made and deliberating on actual laws. But today, those once exclusive corridors are opening up to a new kind of visitor: young, curious and ready to participate.

Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box

As Albania moves toward European Union membership, the country faces deep polarization and public mistrust. Many young people, disillusioned by politics and limited economic prospects, are disengaging or planning to leave. Parliament holds a unique position to counter this trend by making politics relevant, accessible and participatory. With the creation of a new visitors’ center and fresh ways to communicate its work, parliament is opening the doors to the people it serves. 

An Old Institution with a New Mission

In 2022, parliament established the Parliamentary Institute (PI) with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and technical assistance from the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Modeled after the U.S. Congressional Research Service and similar bodies in European legislatures, the PI supports members in carrying out their representative, legislative, and oversight roles through professional, impartial, and evidence-based research services, as well as by implementing a broad range of civic education programs. 

The PI’s Civic Education Service (CES) has engaged more than 20,000 participants, ranging from elementary school pupils to university students, through interactive programs that put democratic values into practice:

• "Democracy Workshops" promote democratic values and active citizenship among young children.
• "My Point of View" simulates the legislative process for high schoolers, fostering analytical thinking and public speaking skills.
• "Parliament-ON" provides a platform for direct dialogue between youth and elected officials on pressing social issues, emphasising accountability.
• Parliamentary tours offer Albanians and international visitors insights into Albania's parliamentary history and functions.

Impact that Resonates in Classrooms and Chambers 

“These civic education initiatives are more than mere activities; they are crucial investments in fostering the democratic awareness of the new generation,” said Romina, a high school teacher, who has witnessed firsthand the transformation in her students. Other educators echo her view, emphasizing how the programs complement their teaching in the classroom and spark student interest in governance. 

This expanding engagement reflects a positive shift in both public and political mindsets, and members of parliament are taking note. 

“Democracy is not simply a belief, a person, or a building; it is defined by action, participation, and decision-making,” said former Speaker of the Parliament and current MP, Lindita Nikolla, during a visit with students from The Independent College.

Parliamentary civic education does more than explain how a bill becomes law; it fosters accountability, builds habits of participation, and reminds citizens that democracy is not a spectator sport. 

This belief drives the work of those leading Albania’s civic education efforts, including Denisa Shehaj, Head of the Civic Education Service, who sees every classroom visit and parliamentary tour as an opportunity to turn awareness into action.  "We consider civic education as the key to a vibrant and inclusive democracy. We work every day with will and dedication to teach young people that the noise of society is not chaos, but a call for active participation. We show them that transparency is a right, accountability a duty, and the energy to change the future begins with the courage to raise one's voice," she said. 

From Awareness to Action

The next phase is to deepen the two-way dialogue, giving young people not just knowledge of how Parliament works, but real channels to influence it.

“For the bridge to truly work, traffic needs to move in both directions,” says Aileen Walker, former Director of Civic Education in the UK Parliament supporting CES. “That means creating more structured opportunities for citizens not only to learn about Parliament, but to actively voice their concerns, ideas, and expectations in ways that can influence the institution itself.”

By turning curiosity into commitment and observation into active engagement, NDI and its partners are helping Albanian youth see themselves not as outsiders to politics, but as future voters, advocates and lawmakers. Students like Rafael now see parliament as a place where they belong, where democracy lives, and where their voices matter.