For sustainable development programs in the 2017 general election campaign
We, 30 environmental organizations, spread throughout the country, are following with interest in this election campaign the programs and commitments of political parties for the development of the country in the next four years and we note that:
- 18 political parties have registered for the general elections. Over 70% of these parties have not yet made public their programs for the future economic, social and cultural development of the country;
- Meanwhile, in the public statements and promises of the leaders of these parties, the environmental policies which lead the country towards a stable economic development in line with the countries of the European Union are neglected, almost not mentioned at all;
Consequently, we find and are convinced that:
- This deficiency constitutes a danger for the future we want and for the integration of the country and the Albanian citizens in the European Union;
- Sustainable Development is not a technical challenge, but a necessary development policy, which meets multiple goals on the future towards an ecological and economic protection that respects the basic standards of human dignity, human rights and well-being.
We support our position in the 25-year experience of development programs followed by all political parties and especially by those that have governed. This history has clearly shown us what environmental and therefore social and economic crises have brought to our country the programs to develop quickly, making maximum use of natural resources and increasing environmental degradation and pollution, according to an unsustainable development.
We are sad witnesses that this policy has distanced us and will further distance us from European integration, which has well-known standards and accepted by our policy in terms of green development and sustainable economy.
Given that this development policy continues to be expressed in the chaotic commitments of this campaign, where solutions come from above without discussing and mobilizing experiences from below, a policy that requires quick enrichment and where possible, we call on the political parties:
- To make their electoral programs public as soon as possible, ensuring transparency and offering Albanian citizens well-argued election alternatives to deserve their vote;
- To include in their programs policies for an environmentally friendly governance, integrating the elements of sustainable development;
- To guarantee the participation of stakeholders in decision-making, in accordance with national interests and in compliance with the laws of the country as well as all international conventions to which Albania is a party.
We think that there is still opportunity and time for parties and politicians to reduce and improve the unsustainable models of economic development of our country on which the government will work in the next 4 years.
With persistence and a strong voice, civil society organizations as follows:
- To make their electoral programs public as soon as possible, ensuring transparency and offering Albanian citizens well-argued election alternatives to deserve their vote;
- To include in their programs policies for an environmentally friendly governance, integrating the elements of sustainable development;
- To guarantee the participation of stakeholders in decision-making, in accordance with national interests and in compliance with the laws of the country as well as all international conventions to which Albania is a party.
We think that there is still opportunity and time for parties and politicians to reduce and improve the unsustainable models of economic development of our country on which the government will work in the next 4 years.
With persistence and a strong voice, civil society organizations as follows:
1.Center “Ekolevizja Group” – Tirana
2.Free Thought Forum – Tirana
3.Egnatia – Librazhd
4.Ionian Media, Environment and Information Agency (AJMMI) – Saranda
5.Milieukontakt Albania – Tirana
6.SEEP – Vlora
7.Together for Life – Tirana
8.Ekomjedisi – Durrës
9.EDEN Environmental Center – Tirana
10.Aarhus Information Center – Shkodër
11.EcoAlbania – Tirana 12. Ecological Club – Elbasan
13.For Social and Environmental Welfare – Berat
14.CRCD – Vlora 15. Institute of Urban Innovations – Tirana.
16.AULEDA – Vlorë 17. Gjirokastra Foundation – Gjirokastra
18.Another Vision – Elbasan
19.I, Woman – Pogradec
20.Today for the future – Durrës
21.Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania – INCA
22.ILYRIA- Tirana
23.Albanian Forum Shkodre Lake – Shkodër
24.FRIENDSHIP- Ulez, MAT
25.Environmental Protection and Tourism Development – Kuka, HAS
26.GREEN&CLEAN- Korça
27.CAJUPI – Gjirokastra
28.Adriatic Center – Vlora
29.GO2 – Shkodër
30.Association of Users of Slovak Natural Resources – Diber.
