Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Remarks by Ambassador Ferit Hoxha at the Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine

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Thank you SRSG Patton for your insightful presentation.

Ms. Karbowska, you brought us a painful but much-needed perspective of civil society on what is still going on in Ukraine.

Thank you, Sherrie, for the tremendous work that Sesame Workshop is doing for children, throughout the world. We took note of your recommendations and thank you for highlighting the critical importance of early childhood support.

I welcome the participation of the President of the Council of the European Union, His Excellency, Charles Michel, to this meeting, another testimony of the importance of and pertinence of the issue under discussion.

Dear Colleagues,

The so called “special operation of Russia in Ukraine”, in reality, an unprovoked and unjustified aggression which is turning into a war of attrition, has entered its 4th month.

103 days have passed since the unacceptable and the totally avoidable war of choice begun. It continues to destroy the country with a devastating impact on the entire population.

Every day that the war goes on brings its lot of new victims, and every time we meet on this issue, we hear about the civilians being caught in conflict, mounting significant human rights abuses and crimes committed, and the unprecedented number of displaced people.

Nine thousand victims have been documented by the OHCHR so far, knowing that the real number if much higher.

6.8 million people have crossed the border of Ukraine. They did not ask for it; they were forced to abandon their lives and their routines overnight. The quickest and the most massive displacement in Europe since WWII. These are facts, not fiction.

Such massive displacement has created an environment that exacerbates inequality and vulnerability, in particular for those first and most affected, women, girls and children, who face sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking and exploitation.

As the devastating escalation continues in Easter Ukraine, conditions worsen for civilians who seek shelter without basics, including water and, in many cases, cannot be reached with aid and cannot be evacuated safely. We have witnessed the depth of inhumanity in Mariupol; we hope not to see it elsewhere.

We would like to also express our deep worries with regard to thousands of children who, according to reports, have been deported to Russia and are being held in filtration camps.

International humanitarian law classifies the forced mass deportation of people during a conflict as a war crime.

We call for full clarity and independent investigation on this issue.

Colleagues,

Various assessments from actors on the ground reveal that the top concerns for women and girls include threats to physical safety from active conflict and continual bombardment; food insecurity; lack of access to healthcare, including the full range of reproductive health services, care for survivors of rape, and mental health.

Growing evidence of sexual violence is emerging by day from de-occupied areas. We know now from the findings in the liberated towns and cities in Kyiv Oblast, that civilians have been targeted, tortured, killed on a large scale and that women and girls have been subject of rape as a weapon of war.

There have been multiple reports and accounts of Russian soldiers breaking down the doors of cellars and basement where people were sheltering and have raped women. Some of such despicable actions have taken place in front of their children.

Also, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly reported cases of rape and sexual violence in Non-Government Controlled Areas of Ukraine. Human Rights Watch has documented alleged war crimes, including rape.

As other towns and villages remain occupied, only limited evidence reaches the outside world. What was discovered in Bucha and Irpin raises concerns for the safety of women and girls in other Russian occupied towns cut off from the outside world.

We reiterate our call for detailed investigation on what amounts to a systematic element in attacks on civilians committed by soldiers.

Colleagues,

Conflict-related sexual violence is a despicable act, it is a war crime. All documented cases of sexual violence must undergo rigorous investigation. Accountability cannot and should not be an option but a must.

We strongly support the work of ICC, which has deployed teams on the ground for evidence collection on serious crimes, war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, including sexual abuse of women and children. We look forward to the visit of the Commission of Inquiry that will start tomorrow.

The documentation of sexual violence should be a standardized process. All must be done to collect credible, relevant, and reliable information on sexual violence in a manner that empowers survivors and strengthens accountability mechanisms.

It is vital that all efforts are made to ensure protection and the provision of life-saving and recovery services for survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine, including access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. We need to adopt survivor-centered approaches to empower the survivors and address problems related to their stigmatization.

Colleagues,

Increased risk of vulnerability goes hand-in-hand with human trafficking.

Reports are showing that there is a high risk of trafficking for sexual exploitation at borders especially for children and young women often not accompanied by other family members.

Taking advantage of the human drama as a result of aggression, as we heard from SRSG Paton, traffickers proliferate with false promises of employment, security, stability, in all kinds of efforts to lure victims into a situation of exploitation.

Greater collaboration is needed with border agencies and government partners to strengthen prevention mechanisms.

Dear colleagues,

Ukrainian people want the war to stop. They want to return to their homes, reunite with their loved ones, rebuild their lives, safely and securely, in peace. We wish for the same.

Let’s help Ukrainians, particularly, women and girls, go from nightmares to normal lives, to dreams. Only Russian tanks, missiles and soldiers stand on their way.

This war should have never started. It must stop.

But for as long as our calls will go unheeded, we must prioritize and ensure the protection of civilians, women and children, gather evidence and ensure accountability.

One day proof will reach the court and perpetrators will be held accountable.

Thank you

TAKIM ME AMBASADORIN FERIT HOXHA

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Ambasadori i Misionit Shqiptar pranë OKB-së Z. Ferit Hoxha u premtoi përkrahje organizatave Shqiptaro Amerikane/
nga Rexhep Myftari, New York/
Organizatat Shqiptaro Amerikane “Shprese & Paqe” dhe “Duart e Hapura” pas takimit me Konsullën e Republikës së Kosovës në New York Znj.Vlora Çitaku, takuan edhe Ambasadorin e Misionit Shqiptar pranë OKB-së Z. Ferit Hoxha me ç’rast njoftuan Ambasadorin për mbarëvajtjen e projektit dhe kërkuan mbështetje në aspektin e gjetjes së lehtësive rreth transportit dhe logjistikes së ndihmave të mbledhura për të përmbyturit në Shqiperi.
Përfaqesuesja e Women’s Organization “Hope & Peace” Znj. Mimoza Dajçi dhe perfaqesuesi i organizates “Open Hands” z.Aleksander Nilaj njoftuan Ambasadorin Hoxha rreth te arriturave të deritanishme.
Znj. Mimoza Dajci pasi bëri një ekspoze të perpjekjeve të organizates që ajo drejton mbi dhunën në familje ndaj grave dhe mbrojtjen e të drejtave të saj e fëmijeve, ku në shumë raste dora e kësaj organizate ka luajtur një rol kyç për zgjidhjen e konflikteve u ndal edhe tek projekti humanitar i grumbullimit të ndihmave që po pregatisin për ti dërguar në shqiperi në zonat e permbytura nga lumenjtë.
Aleksander Nilaj ngriti kerkesen për perkrahje nga Ambasadori dhe theksoi se muaj me parë kur një aktivitet i ngjashem ishte organizuar për të përmbyturit në Bosnje, kërkesës së z.Nilaj i ishte përgjigjur pozitivisht Ambasada Turke e cila kishte bartur të gjitha ndihmat nga New York-u për në destinacion në Bosnje. Me tej z.Nilaj theksoi se projektit për ndihmë të përmbyturve në Shqipëri i janë përgjigjur shumë bashkëatdhetare në mesin e te cileve duhen të theksohen znj. Eleni Troja, z.Gani Perolli dhe Tush Musaj, Astrit Tota, Lideri i Partise Demokratike per Distriktit 80 Joseph McManus, Marilyn Anderson, Majfturie Daci, Xhani Demaliaj, e tjerë, te cilët ndihmuan projektin që në ditet e para.
Gjatë takimit u njoftua Ambasadori se deri tani janë grumbulluar rreth 200 paketa me veshëmbathje, materiale higjeno – sanitare, mjete didaktike, lodra për femijë dhe sende të ndryshme për nevoja elementare për të përmbyturit.
Ambasadori Hoxha falenderoi tre organizatat per bujarinë e gatishmerine e treguar për të ndihmuar njerëzit në nevoje si dhe e mirëpriti qysh në fillim bashkepunimin. Ai theksoi se do të bëj gjithçka është e mundur që ti ndihmoj këto organizata në realizimin e këtij projekti humanitar që ndihmat e grumbulluara të arrijne sa më shpejt në destinacionin e duhur në Shqipëri.

“Anti-Semitism, like all other forms of hate and discrimination, is unacceptable”

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By Ferit Hoxha/*
Mr President,/
The fight against all forms of discrimination, bigotry, xenophobia, racism and hate, including in particular anti-Semitism, has been and remains a crucial aspect in our efforts to build friendly relations within societies and among nations. Albania has supported the proposal for calling this meeting, which we consider timely and a most needed additional effort in what we think should be a common endeavours in fighting discrimination of all forms and everywhere.
Albania has aligned with the statement delivered by the European Union earlier today, so I will limit myself to some remarks on national capacity.
Mr. President,
Humanity has paid a terrible price to discrimination, xenophobia and racism. Wars have been waged in the name of God, countless human lives have been lost in the name of religion and many generations have been sacrificed because of racism. While nations have managed through time and great efforts to address and get rid of various aspects of hate and its violent impact, anti-Semitic ideas, expressions and violence have unfortunately and regretfully survived and developed into modern times, making anti-Semitism the “oldest and the longest hatred”.
Anti-Semitism, like all other forms of hate and discrimination, is unacceptable. We utterly reject it and we will always fight against it.
Today’s anti-Semitism is being directed against Jews as individuals, as countless acts of violence have demonstrated, including most regrettably the last one in Paris a few weeks ago, but also against Israel’s legitimacy and right to exist waged by a dangerous union of radical views and extremist actions. Albania stands resolutely against all such efforts.
Anti-Semitism cannot and should not be considered as a Jewish problem, because it isn’t. It is a problem for all of us as it goes against the very principles of respect for culture and differences that our societies are built upon. It should therefore unite us in joint and continued efforts to successfully counter it.
Mr. President,
I come from a country that has been through particular hardship during its history. Its very existence has been under threat more than once. It has known centuries of foreign domination, years of military occupation during world wars and has lived decades under a ruthless communist dictatorship. Yet, this whole painful history has always been free of any signs of anti-Semitism or bigotry.
During the dark times of the Holocaust, Albania, a multi-confessional society, became a sanctuary for those whose life was in danger from the Nazi extermination policy. Few people are aware of some particularly significant historic facts:
– no Jews were handed over to the Nazis although Albania was under occupation;
– the whole Jewish community living in Albania, residents or immigrants, all survived the Holocaust.
– there were more Jews, ten times more Jews in Albania during and after World War II than before it.
Albanians who saved Jews, both in Albania and in Kosovo, were simple people. They knew little about politics of that time but they knew a lot about humanity, solidarity and the absolute resolve to help others even if this meant risking their own lives. We take pride in this exceptional behaviour and noble heritage, and we, individually and collectively, take particular care in keeping respect and tolerance at the heart of our everyday life.
Last September, during his visit to Albania, His Holiness Pope Francis praised the Albanian people as an inspiring example for their remarkable religious harmony and interfaith collaboration. Indeed, we Albanians, we warship God in different ways but we do so in full respect, in total understanding with each other’s differences and in an unparalleled harmony.
Mr. President,
This small place we call the world is full of differences of all sorts and this is what makes it so rich and so colourful. We have different historic narratives, speak different languages and have different ideas about the present and the future. But we should never forget that we are all equal and therefore, we should be bound by the same values, principles and commitments in our efforts to seeking a better world for us, our children and the future generations.
We cannot and should not let extremists of all kinds define our agendas and rule our lives. More than anything, we should not forget. We know where indifference led humanity is its darkest hours. It is therefore a must to stand up, firmly and continuously against anti-Semitism in all its forms, everywhere. Albania will continue to do so.
Thank you.
*Statement by the Ambassador Ferit Hoxha, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, at the informal meeting of the UNGA “The Rise of Anti-Semitism Violence” – New York, 22 January 2015/

Carnegie Hall ushtoi nën tingujt dhe zerat e muzikës klasike shqiptare

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Nga Beqir SINA/
BIG APPLE NYC:Nën kujdesin e Misionit të Përhershëm të Repubikës së Shqipërisë pranë OKB-së, natën e diel me datë 15 qershor 2014 – u organizua, në Carnegie Hall, Nju Jork, aktiviteti “Një Mbrëmje me Muzikë Klasike Shqiptare në Nju Jork”.
Përtej kuriozitetit të pastër dhe kënaqësisë, që të jep një koncert i tillë tek çdo njerit për të qënë të pranishëm në koncertin e artistëve të rinjë shqiptar – tek interpretuan muzikën klasike shqiptare, në një nga altaret e muzikës botërore siç është Carnegie Hall, tregon se në çfarë suksesi kanë arritur këta artistë shqiptarë, teksa e bënë mbrëmjen muzikore që të ushton Carnegie Hall për 2 orë nën tingujt dhe zërat e muzikës klasike shqiptare.
Në aktivitet të ftuar morën pjesë anëtarë të trupit diplomatik në OKB Nju Jork, nga të gjitha kontinentet, zyrtarë të qytetit të Nju Jorkut, përfaqësues të fushave të ndryshme të jetës e aktivitetit të qytetit, miq e dashamirës të Shqipërisë dhe shqiptarëve si dhe përfaqësues të komunitetit të artistëve shqiptar, vepritarë të dalluar në SHBA.
Organizatori tha se :”Aktiviteti përbën një premiere historike pasi asnjëherë më parë nuk është organizuar një aktivitet i tillë në Nju Jork, një nga qendrat botërore më të njohura të aktiviteteve kulturore, përfshirë muzikës klasike, me veprat më të mira e të njohura të fondit të muzikës klasike shqiptare të interpetuara nga artistë shqiptarë”.
Në hapje të koncertit, Përfaqësuesi I Përhershëm i Shqipërise pranë OKB-së, Ambasadori Ferit Hoxha, duke falendëruar të pranishmit, theksoi se “diplomacia është gjithnjë në përpjekje të bëjë cdo gjë të mundur për të ndikuar në imazhin që të tjerët kanë për vendin. Por pak gjë mund të krahasohet me shpalosjen e vlerave kulturore, me muzikën dhe Artin. Muzika u flet shqisat tona, unit tonë të brendshëm; është një përmbushje e admirueshme, dhe padiskutim, një mjet më të mira të komunikimit; Muzika sjell një cilësi të shpresës, një arritje të imagjinatës përtej kushteve të së pranishmes”, theksoi Hoxha.
Duke cituar një kompozitor të shquar ai tha se “Muzika është akti shoqëror i komunikimit në mes të njerëzve, një gjest i miqësisë, më të fortë nuk ka. Është pikërisht një pjesë e asaj Shqipërisë, shpirtin e saj muzikor dhe trashëgiminë e saj kulturore, këtë ndjenjë miqësie që ne shpresojmë kemi sjellë sonte dhe duan të ndajnë me ju.”
Zoti Hoxha falendëroi në mënyrë të vecantë producentin Xhevat Limani si dhe kompozitorin, Mjeshtrin e Madh, Aleksandër Pecin, për kontributin e tyre në realizimin e aktivitetit. Mediha Kosovrasti falenderoi sponsorët e tjerë duke vënë në dukje rëndësinë e mbështetjes së muzikës klasike nga artdashësit.
Më pasë Mediha Kosovrasti se një falemnderim ei veçantë për këtë mbrëmje muzikore, u shkon biznesmeneve dhe veprimtarëve të komunitetit : Rexh dhe Shpresa Xhaklli, Ardian Hoxha, Refik Kosovrasti, Toni dhe Fortuna Ramadani, Abib Veseli, Medin Islami dhe Azem Hasangjekaj – Martini
Më pas, për rreth 90 minuta, Nermin Zhabjaku dhe Redi Llupa në pinao, sopranoja Era Hoxha dhe baritoni Kreshnik Zhabjaku interpretuan më talent e virtuizotet të admirueshëm, e që u duartrokit gjatë nga rreth 250 të pranishëm, një program muzikon ndër më të pasurit.
U interpretuan vepra të njohura të Cesk Zadesë, Tonin Harapit, Limoz Dizdarit, Gjon Simonit, Feim Ibrahimit, Akil Kocit e Prengë Jakovës, Lola Gjokës e Simon Gjonit dhe në mënyrë të vecatë, veprat e kompozitorit Aleksandër Peci, I cili ishte I pranishëm në sallë. Disa prej kompozimeve më të reja të z. Peci, të tilla si “Valle zcherzante e Tiranës”, “Vajza e Valëve” dhe “Ti Shqipëri”, u interpetuan për herë të parë, në një premiere botërore në Nju Jork.
Në përfundim të koncertit, artistët shqiptarë si dhe kompozitori Peci u nderuan me një “standing ovation” të gjatë e të merituar për një interptetim të shkëlqyer duke shkruar në Nju Jork një faqe të librit të historisë kulturore muzikore shqiptare, duke shpalosur në një mbrëmje të paharruar vlerat më të mira artistike të kombit, duke u dhënë Shqipërisë dhe shqiptarëve një shkëlqim të rrallë, të pazakontë në metropolin më të madh botëror, dhe të pranishmëve të shumtë një parfum të Shqipërisë dhe shqiptarëve në më të mirën e tyre.
Baritoni i talentuar Ergin Brahimi, që ndoqi mbrëmjen muzikore, tha se :”Koncerti i sontëm realizuar në Carngie Hall, nën drejtimin e zotit Xhevat Limani aktor/producent në bashkëpunim me Misionin e Përherëshë të Shqipërisë në OKB na bëri krenarë, mbasi ai ishte një aktivitet me rëndësi të jashtzakonshme në korniza superlative!, përball një audience të përzier kulturash, racash e ngjyrash, ku në metropolin e botës, prezantua në mënyr të dinjitetshme muzika klasike shqipetare!”
Me prezencën e kompozitorit të madh Aleksandër Peci (ardhur enkas nga Shqipëria, veprat e të cilit u interepretuan në më shumë se gjysmën e koncertit – hapsirës koncertale, dhe një kasti interpretësh të dëshmuar, bën atë që publiku Amerikan si dhe a’i Shqiptar i diasporës përjetuan një mbrëmje të mrekullueshme (mbushur plot ndjenj’ dhe emocion).
Koncerti pati arie dhe këngë të kompozuar nga mjeshtra të mdhenj’ të plejadës së kompozitorëve shqipëtar (të gjeneratave të ndryshme) të cilat u interpretuan si solo ashtu dhe në duet nga Era Hoxha / soprano dhe Kreshnik Zhabjaku / bariton, nga të dy interpretët dëgjuam realizime me mjeshtëri!,
Simbas baritonit Ergin Brahimi, K. Zhabjaku, doli pata publikut me një tingull solid prej baritonësh lirik Mozartian (zë me shumë eksperienc’), timbrika e të cilit shkrihej me shumë mjeshtëri nga gjoksi në tingullin e kokës dhe anasjelltas. Aria shqipe e realizuar nga ai vinte shumë më epike dhe plot prezenc’, në anën tjetër,
Ndërsa, E. Hoxha ishte një soprano e cila e sjell më shumë ndjenj’ këngën dhe arien shqipe, e kënduara prej saj në tingujt e thell tregon ngjyrën e duhur e cila puthitet fiks me melosin shqiptar, së këndejmi atë e gjejm’ të sigurt dhe dinjitoze në teritorin saj.
Të dy interpretet u shoqëruan në piano nga pianistja dhe mjeshtrja e korepitimit e cila për 36 vite shërbeu pran’ Operas dhe Baletit në Tiranë Nermin Zhabjaku. Ajo me shumë zell dhe në frymë me kangtarin rrjedhnin si dy lymenj që shkrihen vazhdimisht në nji! shprehet Brahimi duke shtuar se Muzikaliteti dhe mjeshtrija e saj jan’ për t’u admiruar.
I ftuar ishte poashtu dhe pianisti i shkëlqyer i cili tashmë ndodhet rreth majave të suksesit Redi Llupa, ai detyrën e tij prej pianisti virtuoz e krynte si një ushtar në fron’. Mrekullia e lidhjes së tingujve që ai krijon është si rrjedha e një ujvare në mënyr të qetë dhe të një ‘trajtshme.
Së fundi : Publiku Amerikan normalisht ka ngelur me gojë hapur nga interpretimi briliant i tij. Eshte per t’u vlersuar fakti që vepra si: Barokajare (për piano solo), Vals i Drondafilleve, Valle mbi Xham, interpretuar nga Redi Llupa, ishin vepra Premier’ të Aleksander Peci i cili me prezencën e tij i dha veprës më shumë pesh’. Krahas Veprave si: Barokajare (për piano solo), Valle scherzante e Tiranës, Vajze e Valeve, Vals i Drondafilleve, T’i Shqipëri, Valle mbi Xham të shkruara nga vetëprezenca e tij Aleksandër Peci, kompozitorë tjerë të perfshirë në këtë mbrmje muzikë klasike të autorve shqiptarë ishin: Cesk Zadeja, Tonin Harapi, Gjon Simoni, Feim Ibrahimi, Limoz Disdari, Lola Gjoka, Akil Koci, Prenk Jakova.

Who are the Albanians?

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Human Rights Institute at Kean University to host panel discussion featuring H. E. Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, among others/

UNION, N.J. – During World War II, countless Albanians placed their lives at risk by sheltering Jews, both Albanian nationals and refugees from neighboring countries, from harm at the hands of the Germans.

Besa, the Muslim religious belief of honor, requires an Albanian to endanger his or her own life if necessary to save the life of anyone seeking asylum. This ancient code, which literally translates as “to keep the promise” is the basis for these righteous deeds—and which make up part of the hidden history of the Holocaust.

The Human Rights Institute at Kean University will host a lecture and discussion, titled Who are the Albanians? onThursday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center Little Theatre. His Excellency Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, will discuss the political history and culture of Albania, Dr. Anna Kohen, president of the Albanian-American Women’s Organization, will share her and her family’s experience during the Holocaust, and Mr. Endri Merxhushi, chair of the Albanian-American Organization Chameria, will speak about his growing up during the communist regime as an Albanian with roots in Chameria. Dr. Gilbert Kahn, professor of political science at Kean, will moderate the panel.

“At this moment in history, when the media is filled with examples of human rights abuses taking place around the globe, it is inspiring to see how an entire nation placed their own family’s lives in danger to fulfill a religious and cultural commitment to protect strangers in need,” said Dr. Hank Kaplowitz of Kean’s Human Rights Institute. “We hope that the moral lessons from this thought-provoking lecture and discussion will motivate attendees to consider the plight of refugees and recognize how individual families can make a difference.”

Following the presentation, guests are invited to a reception at the The Human Rights Institute Gallery where they can view BESA: A Code of Honor-Muslim Albanians Who Rescued Jews in World War II, an exhibition of photographs byrenowned New Jersey-native photographer Norman Gershman. BESA features images of Albanian and Kosovar Muslim families who sheltered and saved Jews during the Second World War. BESA will be on exhibit until December 20, Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Kean’s Human Rights Institute, Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies program, Holocaust Resource Center, Human Rights Club, Muslim Student Association, Jewish Studies program and Jewish Faculty and Staff Association.

The event and exhibition are free and open to the public. Educators are encouraged to bring their classes. For more information, please contact the Human Rights Institute at (908) 737-4670.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE AT KEAN UNIVERSITY broadens Kean’s longstanding efforts to promote the awareness of human rights issues and violations across the globe and to develop initiatives designed to eradicate these atrocities and their root causes. The Institute sponsors a broad range of activities, including seminars and conferences that promote conflict resolution, and works with school districts to train teachers and produce curricula for New Jersey school children.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

H.E. Mr. Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the U.N, has been active in foreign affairs and international relations for more than 20 years. He has been a director for multilateral relations at the Albanian MFA, Ambassador to the European Union (1998-2001) and Ambassador to France (2001-226), while also covering other countries. H.E. Mr. Hoxha has served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006-2009). During this time he served also as National Coordinator for the Alliance of Civilizations and as Albania’s Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors. H.E. Mr. Hoxha was awarded the Dignity of Grand Officer of the French National Order of Merit. He has served in his current position since 2009, and since January 2013 he serves also as vice president of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Dr. Anna Kohen, D.D.S., is president of the Albanian American Women’s Organization (AAWO). She was born in Vlora, Albania, after World War II. She left Albania in 1966 with seven family members and went to Greece. After earning her dentistry degree at the Ethnikon and Kapodistriakon University of Athens in 1970, she moved to the U.S. and earned her D.D.S. from New York University in 1976. She taught there for 10 years and has been practicing general dentistry ever since.
In 1990, Dr. Kohen brought 37 Jewish-Albanian relatives (a total of 10 families) to the U.S. The following year, she was invited to Albania to celebrate the formation of the Albanian-Israeli Society where she has been elected an honorary member. In 2004, the president of the Albanian Republic, Alfred Moisiu, recognized Dr. Kohen with a Special Civil Merits medal honoring her “valuable contribution to helping Albanians during the Kosovar humanitarian crisis; for precious aid given to the new Albanian emigrants in the United States of America.” In 2006, the Mayor of Vlora named Dr. Kohen “Honored Citizen of Vlora.” Recognizing the benefits of collaboration, Dr. Kohen has partnered with other nonprofit organizations to help improve the health, education and wellbeing of Albanian Americans.

Mr. Endri Merxhushi, born in the city of Tirana, Albania, with roots of Cham Albanian origin, migrated to the U.S. at the age of 18. He attended Pace University and graduated from Kean with a degree in political science. Merxhushi is the chair of the Albanian-American Organization Chameria (AAOC), a nonprofit organization whose mission it is “to promote and preserve the cultural, historic and ethnic heritage of Albanian-Americans from the region of Chameria who also seek justice via the American democratic standards of citizenship for the condemnation of the forced displacement of ethnic Albanians from Chameria and facilitate their return and resettlement in Chameria.

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Founded in 1855, KEAN UNIVERSITY has become one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, boasting a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving more than 16,000 students. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers two doctorate programs and 35 graduate programs, professional diploma or state certification options, while the university’s five undergraduate colleges offer 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. Visit us online at www.kean.edu, friend us on Facebook/KeanUniversity or follow us on Twitter @KeanUniversity.