MJAFT Campaign

Recent history, in places not far from Albania, has shown that collective action in the form of Citizen Initiatives can change the negative tide of public apathy. In Albania, there is a lack of open and frank public debate on matters of politics, economics and social problems with active participation of the public, which make up the basic characteristics of an open and free society. These needs remain prominently un-addressed more than a decade after the fall of communism and Albania ranks poorest in most indexes (gender quality, corruption, human trafficking, blood feuds, fighting organized crime, environmental degradation, poor health services, access to education etc.) of the UN Human Development Report 2002 compared to other Southeast European nations.

 

We believe that time is certainly ripe, if not late, for the Albanian society to undergo such drastic change in its attempts to move beyond a 'crisis mentality'. Time has come for any and all Albanians who care to see this society develop, to join voices and claim that they have had ENOUGH and will not take this state of affairs any longer, that the cup is full, that patience has run out, that the average man and woman demands their dignity back. Time has come for citizens of this country to say ENOUGH to corruption, to poverty and ignorance. ENOUGH to violence, trafficking, pollution, unethical and unresponsive politics. ENOUGH to lack of water and dark nights. ENOUGH to blood feuds, ENOUGH to deteriorating health and educations systems.

 

MJAFT is one of the strongest and most colloquial ways for an Albanian to say 'Enough!' Initially MJAFT was envisioned to be precisely that one-word colloquial response as the center of a four-month (mid March to mid July 2003) public Campaign reaching out to over 2,5 to3 million Albanians in the country and abroad. The MJAFT Campaign turned out to be the largest and most successful awareness-raising and advocacy campaign ever held in Albania.

 

In the months following the conclusion of the MJAFT Campaign, Balkans YouthLink Albania (BYL-A), the Albanian National Debate Association (ANDA) and many other groups and individuals who joined the campaign, recognized the acute need for the continuation of MJAFT''s work, this time not only as a mere PR Campaign, but moreover as an established Movement that constantly presses for civic activism, national development and Albania's image abroad.

 

Currently MJAFT is undergoing this exact change  from a Campaign to a Movement. It is thus expanding its board with more personalities and figures of good public image. In addition it is moving to establish branches of the Movement in several cities that would have the functions of governance 'watchdog' and civic lobbying.

 

The vision of the MJAFT Movement is to achieve a well-governed Albania with active citizens, strong communities and a positive image in the world. The MJAFT Movement believes that a good democracy, proper governance and a prosperous society can be built only if constructive civic demand and participation is achieved.

 

Thus, its mission is to increase active citizenship, strengthen the sense of community, promote responsible governance and improve the image of Albania in the world through:

Some of the activities organized by the MJAFT Movement during the past months include: Voter Education Campaign (Ketu Vendos Une!/As for here, I decide!), Public Debates, Peaceful Protests, Direct Action Organizing Workshops, Student Orientation, Lectures, Issue related Concerts as well as Countrywide Bus Tours, Theaters, Petitions, Volunteer Action, and so on.

 

In addition, the Movement's activities are assisted by media campaigns involving the following: Posters, TV, Radio and Newspaper advertising as well as the use of campaign paraphernalia such as Badges/Pins, T-Shirts, Stickers, Postcards, and so on.

 

Since the start of the MJAFT Campaign, the Movement has rapidly expanded and diversified its network of partnerships as well as strengthened its already existing network brought in by BYL-A and ANDA. MJAFT activities and projects are organized through collaboration with partners whose field of expertise lies within the particular issues at hand.

 

For more details on how you can become an implementing or financial partner please contact a MJAFT representative or write to: info@mjaft.org and www.mjaft.org