As part of Democracy Week, organized by the European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF) and Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania (WCDCA), in cooperation with the Municipality of Elbasan and the Interfaith Cooperation Center, the initiative “Culture of Encounter: Interfaith Dialogue in Action for Climate Protection in Elbasan” was launched.
The activity, held at the premises of the Prefecture of Elbasan County, brought together leaders of religious communities, women leaders, representatives of local institutions and civil society to discuss the city’s environmental issues and the role of interfaith cooperation in raising citizens’ awareness.
The meeting was moderated by Dr. Rudina Çollaku, director of Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania, who stressed the importance of cooperation among religious communities, public institutions and civil society in addressing climate and environmental challenges.
The chairman of the Interfaith Cooperation Center, Pastor Ilir Isaraj, highlighted the role religious institutions can play in raising public awareness about nature protection. According to him, moral and religious values constitute an important foundation for educating citizens with a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
The Mufti of Elbasan, Agim Duka, stressed that the land is a trust that the Creator has entrusted to humanity and that its preservation is a moral and religious responsibility. He raised concern about the environmental problems facing Elbasan, calling for greater political, institutional and social attention.
Father Stavri Çipi focused on the risk of forest fires and the burning of waste, stressing that these actions damage the environment, pollute the air and endanger citizens’ health and lives. He called for greater individual and community responsibility in preventing these phenomena.
Dr. Arben Ramkaj drew attention to the need for broader involvement of believers in environmental awareness processes. He stressed that a considerable part of those who attend places of worship remain outside information and active engagement on climate and environmental issues.
According to him, environmental protection, public health and safety inside and outside places of worship should be part of the priorities of religious communities and not be treated as secondary issues.
The Secretary General of the Prefecture of Elbasan County, Mrs. Spaho, stressed the need to strengthen cooperation among religious communities, local institutions and the education system, calling for this cooperation to be translated into concrete activities and visible results for citizens.
The representative of the Protestant Church, Mirela Gjoni, raised concern about environmental pollution and its possible consequences for the population’s health, particularly in relation to oncological diseases and women’s health.
Meanwhile, Migena Kapllani, teacher and representative of the Church of Saint Pius, stressed the importance of overcoming skepticism in relations between religious actors and educational institutions, proposing more joint activities with young people for environmental education.
Special attention during the discussions was given to the role of women leaders in religious communities and opportunities for increasing their representation and engagement in environmental initiatives and in cooperation with public institutions.
Participants also identified the need to improve the infrastructure of places of worship, strengthen environmental awareness and increase preparedness for emergency situations.
The recommendations of the meeting will be included in a practical guide and will be discussed at a joint roundtable with local institutions, with the aim of determining concrete measures to protect the environment in Elbasan.
The initiative is implemented by Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania (WCDCA), in cooperation with the Municipality of Elbasan and the Interfaith Cooperation Center, with the support of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID).
