Against
Generalisations and Misuse!
Dr. Besnik Aliaj
Rector,
POLIS University
Recently
I have followed with focused attention certain occurrences - seemingly routine
– concerning the higher education sector in Albania. The reason I am addressing
the general public emerges from a recent publication of a ‘media scandal’ by
both the Albanian and the Italian media on – quote – “the award of a diploma by
Kristal University to the son of an
Italian politician, Umberto Bossi…’. The press highlights that ‘… the aforementioned diploma has been
awarded within one year to a person who has no even a single Albanian border
crossing stamp on his passport…’
My
second motive comes forth in the midst of a coincidental recent broadcasting of
the popular TV program in Albania, namely ‘Opinion’, addressing issues
regarding private higher education in Albania, whereby the approach adopted,
invested in building a generalised and unrealistic opinion, leading to the
establishment of an unnecessary growing barrier between the state education (stressing ‘state’
because in Albania we have yet much to talk about public higher education) and
the private one, again labelling and generalising en block this sector as, - quote - ‘the third generation of
Albanian pyramidal frauds’, following the “financial” ones, as well as the “construction
bubble burst”.
This
stimulus grows stronger should we recall yet another recent public
pronunciation of the Albanian opposition leader, who – with all due respect for
his legitimate right granted by his role to offer the necessary opposition to the
present public policies – couldn't also help falling into the trap of negative en block generalisations and labelling,
encompassing all Albanian private education sector with no exceptions made. Such
stance fuelled by an unhealthy logic, in return cultivates a politically
incorrect attitude towards the private and non-for-profit-enterprise in this
sector and beyond, misleading to unfair treatment for all.
In
response to such atmosphere, overly inflated and undeliberately instilling a
sense of stigma and rage against ‘the private’, while glorifying almost to
absolutism ‘the public’, unfortunately it has been stimulating a highly negative
spiral of public opinion that carries specific political objectives, meantime without
denying the legitimate citizens’ concerns.
Therefore,
relying on my personal beliefs and civic values, as well as the ones of the
institution and the team I represent (which proudly includes besides Albanian
and Balkan professionals, also valuable Italian professionals and academics residing
and working in Albania), I intend to publicly claim a clear positioning of our
institution towards phenomenon. I also wish to protest against certain incorrect
attitudes in manipulating the public debate, therefore openly inviting the
Albanian civic society, the politicians, the media, and the opinion-makers to
reflect and fairly react in a dignified way towards the generalisation and
labelling practice. Regrettably, owing to a heavily politicised environment,
this issue risks to grow distasteful and becoming a routine tendency,
jeopardising the vital importance of education to the future of Albania.
First
and foremost, I would like to highlight that the higher education sector in
Albania is subject to a myriad of problems owing to historical reasons, as well
as to a highly complex socio-political transition, implying improper and
insufficient attention towards education by policy- and decision-making. Under
such circumstances, over the past decade the Albanian authorities (both the
right and the left) have reasonably been forced to commit in promoting
competitiveness among the higher education sector, aiming so to address the
aggravated and growing problematique of the state higher education. The latter
one has been subjected to numerous media reports since early 2000, on
corruptive practices at various forms and levels, including bribery, sexual
harassment, fraudulent admissions, blocking and of scientific research,
conflict of interest concerning career path to the young staff, sabotage in
granting scientific degrees and academic awards, political interferences, etc.,
not taking into account the ideological brainwashing of the past…
Hence,
differing to the experiences and approaches in the most of EU countries, the
establishment of the private education sector in Eastern European countries, and
particularly in Albania, was a ‘must’ factor, rather than a mere necessity. It
indeed is still an integral part of the belated long-awaited radical reform
which are desperately needed to bring positive changes. This arguable “novelty”
towards such public service, in essence inspired by the UK and North America’s
experiences, is implemented also in the Albanian context, at times in admirable
standards, but at other times baring significant problems, too.
Nevertheless,
ten years after, the higher education in Albania is an undisputable reality with
both its success and failure attributes as in any other aspects of the post-communist
Albanian society. But none can deny the fact that the private sector has
contributed to the rectifying of a number of costly problems inherited up to
2005, as well as it has also added some new ones, all of which deserve the
immediate attention and actions from authorities. But such problems have not
developed in vacuum! Due to certain historical conditions, we must recall that Albania
is unfortunately facing today issues that other countries have dealt with 3-4
centuries ago, following similar achievements and downfalls, which should be
bravely overcome, instead of ‘demonised’.
The
Bossi Scandal or the comments of the politicians and certain opinion-makers, be
it in Albania or Italy, should not exploit this occasion to generate a storm of
prejudice or witch hunting campaigns against an entire sector and many positive
efforts being made, despite the mentioned problems. Hence things cannot be done
simply cut and dry, putting all “eggs in one basket”. We must not forget the
bitter previous experiences when demonising and condemning the private as an ‘enemy’, and cannot afford
to repeat mistakes of the past. In a nutshell, the Albanian society should
renounce from considering the private sector as ‘kulak’ – the infamously
punished and expropriated ex-private landowners during the communist regime. We
don’t have also the luxury of maintain a byzantine
culture and lack of courage to
face the truth and problems alike. Instead its time to give everyone as they
deserve!
Such
distinct moment cannot and should not in anyway serve as an opportunity for
unfair and jealous revenge. Problems that are obvious cannot and should not be
generalised, and less so serve to label everyone as ‘abusive and pyramidal-like’
causing needless tensions and imprudent decision-making. This case calls for a careful
and foremost ethically moral intervention because honestly in Albania serious
efforts are being made to implement a modern legislative framework that foresees
a decent and serious approach towards issues of higher education. The
bottleneck however remains in having a rigorous and correct implementation of
the law by all parties equally and continuously.
The
time has come for everyone to get his tailor-made response, which should be based on merit and tangible results,
rather than emotional blackmail or persecution, as inherited from the past.
This approach also supports Albania’s EU ambition, by identifying and promoting
‘best practice’ initiatives, whilst on the other hand adopting a firm stance by
fairly punishing those in violation of the law, sufficient evidence provided.
As
far as the matter at hand is concerned, I cannot be either indifferent or
judgemental, but I entrust the Albanian authorities possess all the
institutional and legal means to objectively verify and shed light on the truth
for the benefit of the involved parties, as well as to the society as a whole.
Along the same rationale, politicians alike should finally resign from the
harsh and dishonest rhetoric, at the cost of society and those who are
seriously devoted in contributing un-dubiously to the socio-economic progress
of the country.
As
far as the wider Albanian public and the market are concerned, it should be noted
that they are no longer naive or newborns.
Furthermore, it should be made clear that the public opinion seem to have
made already a meaningful ‘silent’ classification of the ‘correct’
institutions, and the ‘speculative’ ones selling diplomas. The public perfectly
comprehends the developments in this sector and beyond it, although it is
worthwhile mentioning that we often face situations of the tyranny of information
due to the brutal occupation of the media by a limited group of ‘commissioned’
opinion-makers, who seem sadly being paid to propagate certain ‘constructed
realities’ to satisfy certain business and political interests.
Meanwhile,
I would like to respectfully address specifically the community of media
entrepreneurs, journalists and opinion-makers that normally contribute on a
daily basis to the establishment of an open information society relying on civic
values. Now is the right time for them to position first themselves in the
current debate on the so-called ‘fraudulent or pyramidal systems’. This can
provide the best example if they give up themselves from the financial profit
generated by the publication/broadcasting of the advertisements of institutions
that abuse, cheat or mislead the broad public, and distort the market.
Today
more than ever, it is of immediate necessity to waive away the culture of ‘demonising’,
while finding the courage to speak up and denounce obvious and incontestable
names, going beyond the cliché of generalizations. The disinformation of the
public, owing to mere financial or political interests, is not only on the
benefit of no one, but furthermore has a boomerang effect by creating unnecessary
and untrue generalised stereotypes on “all commissioned” journalists and “all
mafia related” politicians, too. But even in this case, the public opinion
seems to have built its own ‘silent’ understanding.
Finally,
I would like to also highlight the concern that ‘naive’ and generalized imports
of the public and political scandals, bares high costs regarding the image of
Albania and Albanians, let alone the socio-economic consequences. Therefore it
cannot be considered any longer a naive action but a fatal mistake for all. Obviously
in a democratic system anyone can investigate and report any type of abuse,
provided the necessary evidence, but - I strongly emphasize – without
generalizing and labeling an entire segment of the society, or worst, a society
as a whole.
Clearly,
in Albania we are also not immune to the practices of exporting scandals on
behalf of internal political rivalry, via media filters borrowed abroad. Nevertheless
I strongly believe that the Albanian society needs first to address its own
problems; and then invite the foreign/Italian media and politicians to do the
same, by facing their domestic issues without ‘pushing the ball to the neighbors’.
The domestic political issues in Italy, even less so, Mr. Bossi’s political
career, do not depend and cannot be invoiced against Albania and Albanians, by
adopting once again the logic of generalizations and racial prejudices. As
far as the matter at hand is concerned, I am forced to (impolitely) retain
appropriate a local expression that “Every village has its own idiots”!
However,
I remain highly confident that in Italy there is a high sensitivity and positive
will, that the relationship among two countries must never return to the era of
“L’America”. We are basically a ‘common family of the Adriatic’. Hence it would
be in the dignity of the Italian media and politics to clearly identify besides
the growth problems and developing issues, also many other positive
developments and incontestable achievements due to enormous human efforts that
deserve a much fair respect.
I
highlight this, as my close Italian friends and colleagues have testified and
testify me every day that the syndrome of generalization when all Albanians
were unjustly considered “Mafioso” is over. Italy once also suffered such an
unfair prejudice. Furthermore, that among those Albanians that left to Italy since
early 90’s, the majority have already built a dignified life and are generously
integrated with the Italian society, as there is nowadays an increasing number
of good Italians residing and working in Albania.
I
sincerely wish a successful electoral campaign to Italy and Italians, as well
as I wish a fair and serious attitude towards the matter at hand to the
Albanian authorities and society!
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