Tirana, Albania—Approximately 100 people attended the second International Conference on the Family.
Like the first conference in November 2022, the second conference was titled "Family, Society and Universal Values."
The event on April 15, 2023, was organized by the Albanian chapters of UPF and its International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP).
More than 60 dignitaries, researchers from various fields, Ambassadors for Peace and young people gathered in the Tirana Peace Embassy, with about 40 more joining online. The speakers were from Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia and France.
H.E. Fatmir Sejdiu, the former president of Kosovo (2006-2010), delivered the welcoming speech.
Session 1: "Renewal of the Family System in a World That Needs Renewal" Click here for video
Dr. Saemira Pino Gjipali, a former Albanian deputy minister of education and the chair of IAAP-Albania, was the moderator.
Three well-known researchers from Serbia, France and Albania spoke about important aspects of family functioning:
"A Comparative View on the Common Features and Distinguishing Features of the Balkan Family and the Western Family" by Dr. Ljiljana Skrobić, a professor of social policy and social work at the University of Nis, Serbia;
"Understanding the Family as a School of Love. How Can the Difficulties in Family Functioning Be Overcome?" by Jacques Marion, the co-chair of UPF for Europe and the Middle East;
"Divorce—a Social Phenomenon, More Positive or More Negative? Legislation and the Consequences of Divorce in the Family and Society" by Vjollca Meçaj, a lawyer and the honorary chair of the Helsinki Committee, Albania.
Session 2: "Understanding Values in Family and Society" Click here for video
Gani Rroshi, the secretary general of UPF-Albania, moderated this session.
The three speeches were given by distinguished professors from Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania:
"Parent-Child Relationships Between Love and Conflict. Changes in Time and Space" by Professor Dr. Ibrahim Berisha, professor of sociology at the University of Pristina, Kosovo;
"Cohabitation as an Alternative or Prelude to Marriage? The Balkans and the West" by Professor Dr. Svetlana Trbojevik, professor at Saints Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia;
"Family Values and the Process of Selection and Transmission from One Generation to Another. Models and Alternatives" by Professor Dr. Lekë Sokoli, director of the Institute of Sociology, Albania.
Other participants also made valuable contributions during the discussions, such as Professor Dr. Perparim Kabo, Associate Professor Dr. Nora Malaj, researcher Gëzim Tushi, Professor Afet Mamuti, and others.
At the end of the conference, four social scientists were honored with the title of Ambassador for Peace for their contributions as academics and social activists: Dr. Svetlana Trbojevik from North Macedonia, the lawyer Vjollca Meçaj, Professor Dr. Lekë Sokoli and Gezim Tushi.
