Actually more than 20000 Albanian students are studying in different universities in Europe and the United States. Bearing a contemporaneous know-how principle, a global way of thinking and a different work style, these students are rightly considered as one of the main factors which will renew and transform the Albanian economy to a stable one and capable for global competition. The western and European values that these students gain during the years of their studies would be a sound basis for the institutional development and integration process of Albania into the European and western structures. The lack of consequent policies for stimulating the return of these students, lack of stable contacts with state institutions and private companies as well as the poor information on the legal and economic opportunities that Albania offers contributes negatively so that only a small part of them return to work in Albania even for few years.

In this background, after running successfully the project "Praktika 2005", Albstudent organizes a 3-day workshop titled "Return to Albania - a challenge to all who are studying abroad", which is supported by the Open Society Foundation "Soros".

This workshop will serve as a meeting point among the Albanian students who study at the foreign universities. At the same time it will establish constants between the students and representatives from the state institutions and private companies. The existing policies and new ideas on the future strategies are to be discussed, in order to stimulate the return of the students who are abroad. This project will play the role of a platform for the Albanian students abroad to get familiar with the companies or institutions, with the problems and advantages that actually exist in the labour market in Albania.

The workshop organized by Albstudent will aim the creation of contacts and exchange of experience among the students themselves as well. During the workshop, there will be presentations not only from the state institutions and private companies but also from the participants on different topics which they consider indispensable.

The workshop will be held at the "Chateau Linza" in Tirana from 25-27th of August, including the full board for the participants. The application in this project has to be done online under apply now. All the information about the workshop and the way how to apply online, organisers, supporters etc. can be found in this web page. This page will be updated continuously in the coming weeks with currents information on the workshop.