[ALBSA-Info] NAAC Launches Hope Fellowship Program in Prishtina

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

  National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
Tel: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
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For Immediate Release: September 5, 2001      Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900
 
Press Release
 
Hope Fellowship Program To Be Launched in Prishtina
Commitment Ceremony Welcomes First Group of Fellows
 
Prishtina, Kosova (September 5, 2001) - The National Albanian American Council issued the following statement regarding the initiation of the Hope Fellowship program.
 
The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") will launch its Hope Fellowship during a Commitment Ceremony on Saturday, September 8, 2001 at the Grand Hotel in Prishtina to welcome the first group of women participating in the program.  The Hope Fellowship Program is created and implemented by NAAC in partnership with the US State Department and the United States Agency for International Development ("USAID").  Saturday's ceremony will recognize the first group of ten women for their commitment to this leadership-training project.  Speakers include US Ambassador to Prishtina, John Menzies, Ibrahim Rugova (invited), Hashim Thaci, Hope Fellowship Program Advisory Board members, Dr. Vjosa Dobruna and Aferdita Kelmendi.
 
After a three-day pre-departure orientation that takes place in Prishtina prior to the Commitment Ceremony, the fellows will travel to Washington DC where they will participate in a two-week leadership workshop.  Training sessions during the workshop include proposal writing, public speaking, advocacy skills, collaborative leadership, and networking.  Guest speakers, informational interviews with women leaders, meetings and visits on Capitol Hill and other institutions in Washington, will provide the fellows with experiential knowledge that will aid them during the next stage of the program, the practical experience with different organizations in the fellows' professional areas of interest.  During this last phase of the program fellows will gain hands-on experience that will help them learn how to better address challenges facing Kosova.  
 
The first Hope Fellows will work at The Empower Program, the Arlington County Department of Public Health, World Learning Star Network, RTKL Associates Ins., The League of Women Voters, PEPCO, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for Policy Alternatives, the United Nations, the United States Institute of Peace.
 
The Hope Fellowship program is designed to enhance the competence and confidence of women leaders at a critical time for the future of Kosova.  In its initial phase of funding from September 2001 through December 2002, the program will provide training for 60 Kosovar women.  NAAC hopes to expand the program further throughout the Balkans and provide leadership training for women from other countries, including Albania, Macedonia, and Montenegro.

The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs.
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