Human security in Albania, with a case study on the energy crisis problems and implications upon human security

Abstract

International audience ; Following the crisis of 1997 Albania has experienced considerable macro economic stability. However, as experience has shown macro economic stability is not necessarily a sufficient condition for political and social stability. Furthermore, in the Albanian case macro economic stability has not yet produced prosperity and economic well being at the family and individual level. The motivation for the production of an early warning report was that relevant qualitative research was not being done on a consistent basis and as such, no trend or dynamic conclusions could be drawn to inform response strategies and pro-active decision-making. The main goal of the Early Warning reports is to develop an analytical framework in which potential factors that could cause instability in Albania could be measured. It is through this framework that data gathered and the analysis of early warning information would be brought to all interested parties, such as the government, media, civil society and international organizations so that appropriate measures can be taken. However, the main target group of this reporting process will be the government of Albania at the central and local level to enable the formulation of timely and pro-active policies dealing with the identified concerns. Unlike the previous two attempts at Early Warning Reporting, which were largely thematic in their focus, this revised Report format will emphasize the establishment of an effective monitoring system. The first Albanian Early Warning Report was written after the Kosovo crisis. Since elections have proven to be conflict generating events during the past decade in Albania, the second report focused on political risk assessment of the 2001 pre-electoral situation in the country. The situation is now slightly different as the country is recovering and has made considerable improvements in terms of political and economic stability. The challenge now is to adapt an Early Warning tool for crisis prevention in a post-crisis country ...