1. ““Welcoming Each Other inWelcoming Each Other in
Europe:Europe:
from Fear to Trust” in Albaniafrom Fear to Trust” in Albania
Religions for Peace European Leaders ConferenceReligions for Peace European Leaders Conference
Castel Gandolfo in Rome, ItalyCastel Gandolfo in Rome, Italy
28 October – 1 November 201528 October – 1 November 2015
ByBy
Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini
Secretary General of IRC AlbaniaSecretary General of IRC Albania
Board Member of Religions for Peace EuropeBoard Member of Religions for Peace Europe
Skype: genard1977Skype: genard1977
E-mail: genard_hajdini@yahoo.comE-mail: genard_hajdini@yahoo.com

2. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
 Cahill, Thomas. Cahill, Thomas. How The Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story Of Ireland'sHow The Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story Of Ireland's
Heroic Role From The Fall Of Rome To The Rise Of Medieval EuropeHeroic Role From The Fall Of Rome To The Rise Of Medieval Europe. New York :. New York :
Nan A. Talese, Doubleday, ©1995. Print.Nan A. Talese, Doubleday, ©1995. Print.
 Thomas Cahill is the former director of religious publishing at Doubleday. HeThomas Cahill is the former director of religious publishing at Doubleday. He
divides his time between Rome & New York City.divides his time between Rome & New York City.
 Cahill argues a case for the Irish people's critical role in preserving WesternCahill argues a case for the Irish people's critical role in preserving Western
Civilization from utter destruction by the Huns and the Germanic tribes (Visigoths,Civilization from utter destruction by the Huns and the Germanic tribes (Visigoths,
Franks, Angles, Saxons, Ostrogoths, etc.). The book retells the story from theFranks, Angles, Saxons, Ostrogoths, etc.). The book retells the story from the
collapse of the Roman Empire and the pivotal role played by members of thecollapse of the Roman Empire and the pivotal role played by members of the
clergy at the time. clergy at the time.
 Since 1776, when Edward Gibbon published the first volume of his ”Since 1776, when Edward Gibbon published the first volume of his ”The DeclineThe Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empireand Fall of the Roman Empire”: By 476, when Odoacer deposed the Emperor”: By 476, when Odoacer deposed the Emperor
Romulus, the Western Roman Emperor wielded to the Goths.Romulus, the Western Roman Emperor wielded to the Goths.
 476 has been used since Gibbon, but other markers include the ”Crisis of the Third476 has been used since Gibbon, but other markers include the ”Crisis of the Third
Century,” the “Crossing of the Rhine” in 406 (or 405), the sack of Rome in 410, theCentury,” the “Crossing of the Rhine” in 406 (or 405), the sack of Rome in 410, the
death of Julius Nepos in 480, all the way to the Fall of New Rome in 1453.death of Julius Nepos in 480, all the way to the Fall of New Rome in 1453.[4][4]
Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 22

3. Kosova Story: from Fear toKosova Story: from Fear to
TrustTrust
Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 33
 ……Security is interdependent and linked to the ability to cooperate withSecurity is interdependent and linked to the ability to cooperate with
neighbors;neighbors;
 Kosovo’s Independence – A new nation in the Balkans onKosovo’s Independence – A new nation in the Balkans on
February 17February 17thth
, 2008., 2008.
 Forgiveness needs to happen to heal the Serbians and theForgiveness needs to happen to heal the Serbians and the
Kosovars: It starts with God’s people.Kosovars: It starts with God’s people.
 God is Love and there is no compulsion in religion (AL-God is Love and there is no compulsion in religion (AL-
Baqarah 2:257)Baqarah 2:257)
 The Story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)The Story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

4. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 44
CHILDREN & YOUTH IN ALBANIACHILDREN & YOUTH IN ALBANIA
 How do you build trust?How do you build trust?
 Start with the most vulnerable – those who cannot secure themselves;Start with the most vulnerable – those who cannot secure themselves;
 Multi-stakeholder approach is needed to ensure trust & security.Multi-stakeholder approach is needed to ensure trust & security.
 Trust & Security starts first at home: The Preamble to the UNESCO ConstitutionTrust & Security starts first at home: The Preamble to the UNESCO Constitution
says: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that thesays: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the
defenses of peace must be constructed” (Source: Spaulding and Lin 1997).defenses of peace must be constructed” (Source: Spaulding and Lin 1997).
 Mother Teresa stated: “I do not believe in the big way of doing things, first love yourMother Teresa stated: “I do not believe in the big way of doing things, first love your
family, then your neighbor, your town, country and then the world.” (Source: Songsfamily, then your neighbor, your town, country and then the world.” (Source: Songs
of Ballentine).of Ballentine).

5. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 55
ACTIONS TAKEN & THE VULNERABLEACTIONS TAKEN & THE VULNERABLE
 Security to the most vulnerable – those who cannot secure themselves;Security to the most vulnerable – those who cannot secure themselves;
 Orphans & WidowsOrphans & Widows
 Foreigners (Roma, Gypsy, Minorities, Immigrants etc.)Foreigners (Roma, Gypsy, Minorities, Immigrants etc.)
 God’s ServantsGod’s Servants

6. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 66
Welcoming Each Other in IRCWelcoming Each Other in IRC
AlbaniaAlbania
21 September 201421 September 2014

7. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 77
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & TRUST INBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & TRUST IN
EUROPEEUROPE
 Rovereto, Italy 2008… Tirana, Albania 2009… Vienna, Austria 2013…Rovereto, Italy 2008… Tirana, Albania 2009… Vienna, Austria 2013…

8. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 88
Challenges & Opportunities: Celebrate PeopleChallenges & Opportunities: Celebrate People
 togethertogether with GODwith GOD, , toward the hope that never disappointstoward the hope that never disappoints

9. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 99
CELEBRATE PEOPLECELEBRATE PEOPLE

10. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 1010
PEACE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLEPEACE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE
La Pace e sempre possibile:La Pace e sempre possibile: 6-8 September 2015 in Tirana,6-8 September 2015 in Tirana,
AlbaniaAlbania

11. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 1111
PEACE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLEPEACE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE
La Pace e sempre possibile:La Pace e sempre possibile: 6-8 September 2015 in Tirana,6-8 September 2015 in Tirana,
AlbaniaAlbania

12. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 1212
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
 Are we going to be the example of the “Good Samaritan” to a needy world?Are we going to be the example of the “Good Samaritan” to a needy world?
Jesus preached a ministry of righteousness, because every true prophet and Son of GodJesus preached a ministry of righteousness, because every true prophet and Son of God
calls the people with the voice of their conscience back to what is right to do in God’scalls the people with the voice of their conscience back to what is right to do in God’s
eyes. God gave us a warning in the days of Noah, aseyes. God gave us a warning in the days of Noah, as
Santayana’s famous sentence “Those who cannot remember the past areSantayana’s famous sentence “Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it.”condemned to repeat it.”
 What the “Good Samaritan” started continues today through the example of Christ andWhat the “Good Samaritan” started continues today through the example of Christ and
many more that followed with the people of Sant’Egidio, who stand true to their belief thatmany more that followed with the people of Sant’Egidio, who stand true to their belief that
“war is the greatest poverty of all”, and “As I write, a million refugees are spilling out of“war is the greatest poverty of all”, and “As I write, a million refugees are spilling out of
Kosovo. At its muddy borders are the people of Sant’Egidio,Kosovo. At its muddy borders are the people of Sant’Egidio,
constructing sanitation and housing, offering medicine, food, and schooling, andconstructing sanitation and housing, offering medicine, food, and schooling, and
helping to coordinate the efforts of others.”helping to coordinate the efforts of others.”
 ““Cynics often say that ‘nothing can be done,’ meaning that nothing can really beCynics often say that ‘nothing can be done,’ meaning that nothing can really be
accomplished to improve the lot of those who suffer. Defensive Christians are often heardaccomplished to improve the lot of those who suffer. Defensive Christians are often heard
to say of Christianity that‘s it has never been tried.’ But people liketo say of Christianity that‘s it has never been tried.’ But people like
Mother Teresa and the Community of Sant’Egidio give the lie to all cynicism andMother Teresa and the Community of Sant’Egidio give the lie to all cynicism and
defensiveness... It requires only that each of us take the first step—“open [our]hearts” anddefensiveness... It requires only that each of us take the first step—“open [our]hearts” and
hold out our hands. When asked once by an incredulous interviewer,hold out our hands. When asked once by an incredulous interviewer,
‘But, Mother, how do you do it?’ the shrunken and smiling Albanian nun replied, ‘One by‘But, Mother, how do you do it?’ the shrunken and smiling Albanian nun replied, ‘One by
one.’”one.’”

13. Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 1313
Q & AQ & A
 If you have any questions…,If you have any questions…,
I might have some answers…!I might have some answers…!

14. Common Action Inspiring Spirituality in Non-Common Action Inspiring Spirituality in Non-
DiscriminationDiscrimination
 Asylum Seekers are invited in theAsylum Seekers are invited in the
common table.common table.
 Community support in youth,Community support in youth,
youngsters, children.youngsters, children.
 People who forgive debts in ourPeople who forgive debts in our
societies.societies.
 Forgive debts.Forgive debts.
 Acts of charity, hospitality projectsActs of charity, hospitality projects
and organizations: treating betterand organizations: treating better
the stranger/foreigner than yourthe stranger/foreigner than your
own in Scriptures.own in Scriptures.
 All Saints Day: 1 NovemberAll Saints Day: 1 November
 Celebrities, Facebook, Virtuality,Celebrities, Facebook, Virtuality,
All inclusive, Digital awareness.All inclusive, Digital awareness.
 90% of the Schools K-12 are90% of the Schools K-12 are
Catholic in Finland.Catholic in Finland.
 Flexible Bank of Holidays.Flexible Bank of Holidays.
 Mixed generations.Mixed generations.
 One inter-religious hub, housingOne inter-religious hub, housing
all religions together.all religions together.
 Common festivals, concerts, fairsCommon festivals, concerts, fairs
with food.with food.
 Creating international or regionalCreating international or regional
networks.networks.
 Almanac or Inter-ReligiousAlmanac or Inter-Religious
Calendar.Calendar.
 Some K-12 schools supportedSome K-12 schools supported
and supervised by the Orthodoxand supervised by the Orthodox
Church in Albania do notChurch in Albania do not
discriminate on the children in thediscriminate on the children in the
church.church.
 Some Syrian refugee children areSome Syrian refugee children are
students in our K-12 Schools.students in our K-12 Schools.
 During Kosova War in 1999, theDuring Kosova War in 1999, the
Orthodox Church helped 33,000Orthodox Church helped 33,000
Kosovars.Kosovars.
Genard HajdiniGenard Hajdini 1414