Helpline on Violent Extremism 08004545 in order to help people that feel unclear, uninformed or endangered by violent extremism. With the support from US Embassy and Hedayah, program funded from the European Union.
We are now able to provide counselling services to people at risk of becoming part of radical groups as well as providing support to their relatives, by preventing and reintegrating cases that pose a risk of being included in extremist groups. With trust and support from the Coordination Center for CVE and Interior Ministry we signed the agreement of collaboration, in the presence of more than 100 friends and colleagues that followed the event online.
Mr. Brian Beckmann, U.S. Embassy Tirana’s Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Public Affairs Officer
I am so glad to see several partners gathered here in support of our shared fight against violent extremism, because this is exactly that, a shared effort. Our participation today shows that we stand together, we support one another, all to strengthen our collective goal of preventing and countering violent extremism. In 2019, the State Department, through U.S. Embassy Tirana, supported the establishment of the first ever National CVE Info Call Center. This Center will now provide counseling, information, and support to individuals and communities at risk of radicalization and violent extremism. It will provide a safe space where people’s key support networks, including family, friends and acquaintances, can find information and advice on the role they can play in helping someone avoid participation in violent extremism.
Ms. Romina Kuko, Deputy Minister of the Interior
We signed the agreement of collaboration between the Ministry of the Interior, The Counselling Line for Women and Girls and the CVE Center, for the proper operation of the National Info-call Center which is supported by the US Embassy and Hedayah, program funded by the European Union.
I am proud of this extremely important joint achievement which is an added opportunity in preventing and combating religious radicalization and violent extremism in Albania. The Ministry of the Interior will continue to work towards strengthening local public safety councils so they can start interacting with the community as well as being a strong supporter of any social service referred from the National Info-call Center that we launch today.
Mr. Alexis Hupin, Head of Political Section, EU Delegation
The center will be critical in preventing radicalisation and violent extremism, while strengthening community resilience in Albania. It offers counselling and support in a safe and protected manner, and is accessible through a simple phone call.
Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, Director of Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism in Albania
It is always more profitable to invest our energies, resources & political will in prevention & awareness raising than in rehabilitation and reintegration programs, which always will bear a higher cost for our institutions and communities”. Ms. Dervishi extended her appreciation to the Counseling Line for Women and Girls, Ministry of Interior as well as our international partners, the US Embassy in Tirana and EU in Albania for their continuous collaboration & support in our joint fight to countering radicalism & violent extremism in Albania.
Mr. Ivo Veenkamp, Deputy Executive Director of Hedayah
I think this launch meeting represents the very important milestone for the tremendous work that basically started with our involvement at the end of 2018, when Hedayah received a concept note in one of our call for proposal launched under the EU STRIVE Global program. Regarding the National Info-call center, we would like to mention that this initiative, as far as we know, is a globally unique initiative, and of course initial support alone is not enough.
So I think today actually we have seen the little plant that has grown from the small seeds that CLWG invited us to help grow. It is in a very good position to actually start doing the good work that it can do for those who really need it. But since this initial support, of course, alone is not enough, we also really hope that everybody, all institutions represented here today, and all the other stakeholders, will continue to be active supporters of this call center. And also they [institutions] will continue to benefit from this initiative that as far as we are concerned is not only unique, but also of great potential to really make a difference in reducing the threats and helping people wo are in need of guidance and support. As was mentioned earlier today, as part of much more comprehensive effort and program that is needed to really address all the root causes and drivers of radicalization also in your country. So finally, we would really like to thank the team of CLWG for their excellent efforts to make this project a real success and we hope that we are able to continue to collaborate together with you, and if possible and needed, also in support of the excellent work done by the government of Albania in countering and preventing violent extremism.
Ms. Iris Luarasi, Executive Director of the Center for Security and Peace Albania.
We operate our national helpline on domestic violence through partnerships with Ministry of Health and Social Protection and all private telecommunication companies in Albania. This successful model helped us on designing another National Helpline against radicalization and extremism. For that we asked for collaboration of the Coordination Center for CVE, Interior Ministry and of course the partnership of private companies in telecommunication. With daily operations of National Helpline for Violent Extremism we will be there to help individuals improve their sense of belonging.
