Over 120 Albanian academics support protests: Country needs justice and meritocracy

Over 120 Albanian academics living and working abroad have issued a public statement in support of the civic protests in Albania.

They demand transparency, accountability, and justice in governance, emphasizing that citizen dissatisfaction is a consequence of prolonged political and institutional failures.

The statement states that today's protests are not simply a reaction to a current situation, but an expression of a deep social fatigue with governance models that have not acted in the interest of the common good.

Academics emphasize that citizens are rightly objecting to the lack of institutions that serve the people and not the government.

statement

We, a group of Albanian academics abroad, express our full support and solidarity with the peaceful citizen protests in Albania and their legitimate demands for a new Albania, governed with accountability, transparency and justice, with institutions that serve the citizens, not the government. We believe that many of the challenges Albania faces today are the result of repeated political and institutional failures, which for many years have weakened citizens' trust in the state, in justice and in the opportunity to build a future in their country.

For this reason, today's protests are not simply a reaction to a momentary situation, but an expression of a deep social fatigue with governance models that have not acted in the interest of the common good. We also see this crisis through the state of education, science and innovation in Albania.

The policies pursued over the decades have not placed these sectors and human capital at the center of the country's development. On the contrary, they have tolerated underfunding, lack of meritocracy, weakening of academic integrity, clientelistic connections and the lack of a long-term vision for knowledge as a national interest. Without quality education, without serious scientific research, without innovation and without meritocracy, there can be no sustainable development, competitive economy or strong democratic institutions.

A society cannot move forward by undervaluing knowledge, weakening universities, alienating young people, and treating skills, competence, and honest work as secondary values. For this reason, the state of education, science, and innovation is not a sectoral issue, but a direct indicator of the failure of the current governance model. The lack of sustainable funding, political interference, fragile university autonomy, poor standards, and the lack of connection to economic development are part of the same crisis that citizens are rightly protesting in the streets today.

Albania has been losing a significant portion of its young people and qualified professionals for years. To change this reality, the belief that knowledge, work and merit are valued and create real opportunities for the future must be restored. As Albanian academics and researchers abroad, we express our willingness to contribute with expertise and experience to a future where a new Albania builds serious institutions in the service of the public interest and gives education, science and innovation the place they deserve.

But this contribution cannot be separated from the need for profound political and institutional change, rightly demanded today by protesting citizens who demonstrate every day that a new Albania is possible. The future of Albania cannot be built without knowledge. A country that does not value education, science, innovation and its human capital weakens itself. A new Albania requires not only political change, but also a clear break from the long-standing failures that have kept the country from its potential.

Happening now...

18:35 TRENDING

Why are more and more young people using electronic cigarettes?

18:29 SHOWBIZ

No more hiding! Hati appears next to his new partner and lights up the network

17:55 BOTA

Poland and Germany sign bilateral defense agreement

17:41 BOTA

G7 Summit, Macron: A success and moment of unity! Ukraine is advancing, Russia is retreating

17:24 SPORT

Inter will sell Kristjan Asllani, Besiktas confirms decision on contract clause

17:15 crossword

Champions League schedule June 17

17:03 BOTA

European Parliament 'slaps' Turkey: Further and further away from the EU, no progress in democracy

16:50 BOTA

Southern Spain floods, roads 'turn into rivers'

16:24 SPORT

Haaland: I'm not the best in the world, that's the reality

16:11 SPORT

FORMULA 1/ Wolff: When Hamilton gets going, it's very difficult to stop him. When he smells blood...

16:05 POLITICS

PE rrëzoi amendamentin për Sazanin dhe Zvërnecin, Rama: Ose është çmendur dhe korruptuar Europa, ose ka diçka që nuk shkon me ata që nisën protestën

Nga Elton Qyno 15:47 POLITICS

Conversation in the e-mail released in the Balluku File: 'Honey, Bela has F-5, while we have F-6, I like it a lot, Puuucc'

Nga Elton Qyno

15:34 HAPPENING NOW

Paratë e

15:12 LIFE

6 zakone financiare që duken të zgjuara, por në fakt të mbajnë pa para

Want to read more news