Panelist

 

Panel 2: ” Leading the way towards Capitals of the Future in the Region”

 

Erion Veliaj was born on December 17, 1979 in Tirana.

 

After finishing high school “Sami Frashëri” in Tirana, he went to the United States, where he graduated in Political Science at “Grand Valley State” University in Allendale, Michigan. Also, he continued his postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex, obtaining a master’s degree in European Integration.

 

Before returning to Albania, Veliaj worked with several international humanitarian organizations in America, East Africa and Kosovo. In 2003, Veliaj founded the MJAFT! movement, a civic organization that brought together activists to raise awareness and protest about social, educational and political issues in Albania. In 2004, the movement “MJAFT!” received the United Nations Civil Society Award from Kofi Annan for his exemplary and effective methods of protest.

 

After that, in 2011 he joined the Socialist Party and became part of the Governing Council of the Socialist Party of Albania as secretary for youth and immigration.

Veliaj is the current Mayor of Tirana in his third mandate. He was first elected in April 2015 representing the Socialist Party of Albania.