History of Albanian Youth Action / British Albanian Kosovar Council

British Albanian Kosovar Council

February 2007

Albanian Youth Action

Background
Albania and Kosova in the 1990s
Widespread civil unrest in Albania throughout the period Armories were emptied in 1997 800 children under the age of 18 died accidentally and many more were injured

Albanian Youth Action

Albanian Youth Action

Education in Kosova in the 1990s

Serbs and Albanians were educated separately throughout the system Secondary schooling took place in private houses
Albanian Youth Action

Background
Albania and Kosova in the 1990s
From 1981 to 1989 one in three Kosovan Albanians had been through Serbian police hands War broke out in 1998 with the massacre of the Jashari family in Central Kosova Hundreds of thousands of refugees fled to Albania in 1999

Albanian Youth Action

The Albanian community in the UK

Approximately 150,000 Albanian speakers live in the UK, made up of families and unaccompanied minors 8,000 unaccompanied minors without the support of their families There are currently many young Albanians in British prisons

Albanian Youth Action

Albanian Youth Action projects

Our aim is to support young people and address the issues they face Young people often become victims of racist crime They face conflict in schools and conflict with the law

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Over the past 8 years we have provided:
leaving care support and life skills health education help into education counselling housing art, sport and leisure projects

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Education
7 year school preparation project for 250 children preparing them for the British education system 4 year home work club helping children improve English and GCSE results 4 year summer school project for 240 young people teaching English, IT, art, drama and music Mother tongue classes for children since 2000

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Health education
Sexual health education project delivered by peers for 450 young people over 2 years Mental health Drug and alcohol education Nutrition and cooking skills Community health screening Contributions to national research
Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Housing
Semi-independent supported housing for unaccompanied minors Housing advice

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Sport
Football training Playing in community leagues

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Residential weekends
Outdoor activities Drama, art, music Socialising and leisure activities

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Art
Close-up photography project Workshops at the Serpentine Gallery Art therapy

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Drama
Projects with Company of Angels, National Theatre, Tam Tam Tales and Connections Hosting drama productions

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Albanian culture
Dance, music, costume, and folk tales

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Lobbying
Participating in national conferences Demonstrations Holocaust Memorial Day

Albanian Youth Action

AYA keynote projects

Website
For more information, please visit our website at www.albanianyouthaction.org.uk

Albanian Youth Action