The Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) was invited to attend the Opening Ceremony event of the Tirana European Youth Capital 2022 (#EYC2022) in Tirana, Albania on 4 February 2022.
Gabriella Mikiewicz (EMA President) and Md Ashiqur Rahman (EMA Vice President) represented EMA at the event. The event was attended by several other international youth organisations.
The Opening Ceremony contained special artistic performances and speeches held by:
Dafina Peci, Executive Director of the National Youth Congress of Albania
Aspajana Kongo, Coordinator of the Tirana European Youth Capital 2022, National Youth Congress of Albania
Luigi Soreca, Ambassador of the European Union to Albania
Thomas Matthew, Board Member of the European Youth Forum
Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana
Tirana was appointed as the European Youth Capital 2022 by the European Youth Forum in 2019. Over the course of 2022, the EYC2022 organising team aims to host 1,000 events for and by youth around Tirana.
The year 2022 has also been designated as the European Year of Youth by the European Commission.
EMA’s President, Gabriella Mikiewicz, said, “EMA is very excited to represent the diversity and excellence of Erasmus Mundus students and alumni at this important event, and to foster relationships with other similar networks. Congratulations to Tirana on earning this impressive title, and EMA wishes the EYC2022 organisers the best of luck in your planned youth-centred activities in 2022 and beyond!”