Within the SENiOR II program implemented by the Regional Environmental Center and funded by the Swedish Embassy, "Together for Life" is implementing the project "Information-communication on environmental policies for sustainable development." This project aims to encourage decision makers at the local and central level to prioritize the environment in their programs, through civic feedback mechanisms and the media.
"Together for Life" is part of the network "ECIM", among eight other environmental organizations, a network created under the support of the Regional Environmental Center for Environmental Organizations of Civil Society in Albania.
Within this program, a meeting was held organized by "Ekolëvizja", one of the organizations of the "ECIM" Network, for the presentation of the Environmental Program of the Democratic Party from the electoral platform of this party with which the latter with its candidates compete for general elections for central government 2017. Invited to face this program with representatives of environmental organizations, was Mr. Jamarbër Malltezi, Head of the Department of Environment, Tourism and Forestry in the Democratic Party.
In its 26-point program, the Democratic Party submits in its first point, the Referendum on the issue of Waste Import. Representatives of organizations expressed their reactions, given that this issue has had its focus over the past years with numerous organizations and civic petitions to review the law on Integrated Waste Management.
Addressing the participants in the meeting, regarding this issue, he said: “On the issue of waste, we will have a review of the law and we will not reject the constitutional request of the citizens for a referendum. "If our party wins, we will immediately hold meetings with stakeholders, meetings with experts in the field and listening to the voice of the citizens, taking into account the directives of the European Union."
Other points of this program include; efforts to establish the Environment and Afforestation Fund, abolish environmental permit requirements for small businesses, ban the use of inert river beds, stop illegal logging, adequate environmental monitoring at all border crossings to stop pollutants , systematic monitoring of air quality in cities and fuel quality.
Representatives of organizations were very demanding during the discussions on this program and gave their recommendations on how to achieve stronger support through civic engagement and the participation of environmental experts in initiatives and draft laws on environmental protection and related issues. . To the question addressed to Mr. Malltezi from TFL representatives regarding the forms of intervention of the Democratic Party to the current government in cases of environmental violations, he explained: “We have covered all environmental scandals, made known to citizens all cases of these violations and addressed 2 of them in the District Prosecutor's Office ”.
Such meetings will be held with representatives of other parties who have announced their programs on the issue of the environment.
