Training and debate series on Social Justice

Aiming at improving the policy analysis skills among the prospective researchers and policy makers in Albania, the Institute of social studies and humanities, in the period of March and June 2017 conducted a project consisted of: (1) Training in policy research and analysis methodology and tools in social sciences; (2) lectured and open discussions on the concept of social justice and various policy solutions and approaches related to it; (3) a series of discussions in the format of British parliamentary debate on the topic: “This house believes that social justice can be achieved in the free market”.

Sixty students were selected to participate from more than two hundred applicants form the university departments of social sciences, economy and law. The selection was based on their expressed interest in the topic of the project – Social justice, as well as based on their expression of future plans for engaging in the fields of policy analysis, social research and policy making.

The training on policy research and analysis took place on the dates of 26-th and 27-th of April 2017 and was focused on: (1) introduction to policy analysis; (2) interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to devising research methodology; (3) discursive analysis of policy solutions; and (4) empirical methods of data collection, analysis and use in advocacy activities.

The lecture series were held on the 5^th and 6^th of May 2017 on the topics of: (1) Organized debate as a political and emancipatory value; and (2) Political approaches to social justice: Social democracy, conservativism and liberalism.

On the last event that took place on 7^th of May, the sixty students were organized into groups of two members who had to perform a research to defend their position (pro or contra) on the given topic of “This house believes that social justice can be achieved in the free market”. The discussions among the groups aimed to put a special focus on the data supported arguments, well-structured presentation and political correctness.

The group of the students established for the purposes of this project will continue to participate in the future trainings that the Institute of social studies and humanities will organize in the future for the purpose of strengthening the research capacities in the field of social sciences.

The project was conducted with the help and facilitation of the Municipality of Tirana.