Shqip
President
Civic Engagement
Jesmina Sengla is the coordinator of Civic Engagement Department and currently is a Political Science student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana. She joined the U.S Youth Council in February 2020 and since then she has been engaged in different kind of projects and activities, especially as a moderator in the Online Youth Talk sessions. Her previous experiences include radio hosting and cross peer tutoring training. On her spare time, she enjoys reading, travelling and generating initiatives to promote democratic values through education and engage youth in local decision making. Her main interests include politics, philosophy, communication, research, and community organization.
Alsenja Demaliaj is the vice president of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania and a member of Civic Engagement Department for almost 5 years now. She studies Psychology and Political Science at the American University in Bulgaria. She has been part of the active youth in Tirana for a very long time with the desire to contribute to the community and make it a better one through her own initiatives or her activism in several NGOs. Alsenja is willing to contribute towards the improvement of the conditions of the social classes in need, for the protection of human rights and relevant issues related to mental health and gender equality. What characterizes her is being a strong believer that if you want to do great work, you have to love what you do first. Her passions include theatre, literature, psychology, and writing in which she tries to dedicate the necessary and required time.
Alba Kokoshi is member of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania from February 2020 and has been part of Civic Engagement Department since then. At the meantime she is working for an Accounting and Auditing firm in Tirana and completing a Master’s Degree in Finance. Beside her everyday work, she likes to give her contribution to the community as much as she can. Her main concerns are low-income communities, climate change, gender equality and education. Alba is very passionate about picking up new languages, traveling and discovering new cultures.
Aleksis Satka is an 18 year old member of Civic Engagement Department who joined the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania in 2020. She is a medical student at Medical University of Tirana. She does freelance writing on the side and volunteers with the Youth Council and other associations. She is an alumna of the YES Program, where she works as a City Representative. She is passionate about healthcare, human rights, liberal arts and STEM but she enjoys lending a helping hand for any project that someone is passionate about.
Daniela Shkëmbi is a member of Civic Engagement Department since February 2020. She has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is currently studying Master of Science in Nursing at Medical University of Tirana. Nursing provides a way for her to combine her love for helping others with her passion for human body. Her desire for helping others since she was a child has influenced her to engage in USEYCA. Her free time consists of traveling and she has a great admiration of nature.
Ejsi Vula is a member of Civic Engagement Department since February 2020. He is a medical student at Medical University of Tirana. Apart from long studying periods, Ejsi is heavily involved in civil society, where he has been part of countless organization and has a great deal of experience. His volunteering activities range from helping the local community to organizing large scale international events with organizations such as European Youth Parliament. Long walks, listening to audio books and wilderness activities are his preferred leisure time activities.
Gjon Buxhuku is part of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania since May 2018. He is 19 years old and studies law in University of Tirana. He has participated in most of the activities organized by USEYCA, but he has been mostly focused on the protection of Human Rights, and on the activities regarding law enforcement. Currently, Gjon is part of Civic Engagement Department.
Keisi Xhafa is a member of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania and currently a student at the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. She believes that we should make the most of the opportunities given to us, particularly the ones that have an impact in our community. Through her work with different organizations she hopes to aid in educating the public about mental health, gender based violence and financial literacy. Keisi’s most important contribution to USEYCA includes coordinating Civic Engagement department twice and leading the “Një bibliotekë e vogël për ëndrra të medha” project in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. Some of her hobbies include psychology, photography, travel and graphic design.
Selina Çomo is 19 years old and she is currently studying at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. She has been part of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania for more than 7 months now and finds it an amazing experience, since she always wanted to be part of Civic Engagement Department. Her hobbies include traveling, reading and music.
Xhulia Jasimi is a new member of the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania and a senior in Sami Frashëri High School. She has been part of the “1989 Anniversary - Fellows On Demand” exchange program. Xhulia is passionate about computer programming, which she plans on studying further on in university. Her activities include participating in technology related conferences and competitions. She also enjoys volunteering and participating in youth activities.
PR, Media and Communication
Neralba Demaliaj is the coordinator of PR, Media and Communication Department. She studies Political Science and considers herself a youth activist at heart. For the past 5 years, she has been part of several youth NGOs that focus mainly on youth empowerment, gender equality, civic engagement and volunteerism. Neralba loves philosophy, psychology, astrology, art and knowledge - the spiritual and mental part of humanity. She often meditates as she takes pride in being connected to nature and Universe.
Geriola Hate is a member of PR, Media and Communication Department. She is currently enrolled at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy, studying Finance & Accounting. For over 5 years she has been part of different youth organizations. Her hobbies include technology, business, personal development and reading.
Kevin Jasini is a graduate from the University of Tirana. For the past 3 years he has been engaged in different human rights NGO's, where he covered communications and social media. Since 2018, he is a member of the Youth Council, part of the PR, Media and Communications Department. Kevin loves art, photography and journalism.
Music, Design, Photography, Editing, Web Development. Margen Stepa, who is a member of PR, Media and Communication Department since October 2016, has tried everything mentioned above and enjoyed every bit of all these adventures. He is always looking forward to new creations that would impact not only his, but everybody's lives.
Mateo Prifti is the former President of the U.S. Embassy Youth Council. He is constantly building products that may have a positive impact in the society. He has also been responsible for organizing the Youth Talk series featuring guest speakers that would talk to youth participants, engage and inspire them. A few years ago, Mateo participated in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit organized in Kenya by the White House and at the Ron Brown Forum in Croatia nominated by PAS Tirana. Afterwards, he has also organized two Startup Weekend Events powered by Google for Entrepreneurs.
Culture and Entertainment
Vivian Begaj, 21. Her journey at the U.S Embassy Youth Council Albania started 3 years ago and she is now the coordinator of the Culture and Entertainment Department. She owns a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of International Relations which is also her dream profession: to become a well-known diplomat. Currently, she is working as a project manager for a marketing company and dedicating her time to professional development and youth activities. When she is not dealing with any of her daily activities, you can find her outside taking herself on dates to some of her favorite spots or taking pictures. Her passions include arts and people.
Adonel Myzyri 25, is a member of the Culture and Entertainment Department since 2017. He is a graduated architect and currently working on Tirana neighborhood improvement projects as an architect and researcher. During his studies he has been part of many projects concerning Albanian territory development as well as Alternative Education, Collective Memory and Albanian youth development. His main hobby is European History and Philosophy.
Ania Sauku is a member of Culture and Entertainment Department and currently a first year law student at European University of Tirana. She is passionate about challenging the status quo and empowering, educating and engaging Albanian youth. Ania is an alumna of the Benjamin Franklin exchange program 2019 and simultaneously founder and leader of TED-Ed Club in her former high school. When she is not being active in the civic society, Ania is found reading, playing her guitar and falling into different internet rabbit hole.
Aroilda Albrahimi, 22, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Currently, she is finishing her Master’s Degree in the field of Management & Marketing. She works as a marketing manager for Top Channel. Aroilda joined the US Embassy Youth Council in February 2020. She hasn't done many volunteering projects but she decided to dedicate all of her free time to USEYCA. Her passion is music and she is the singer of her own musical band.
Brian Ibro, 23. His field of study was Economics and he also graduated from a professional music school as a music producer and sound engineer. He decided to follow his passion and open his own recording studio. He is a live singer and guitarist. USEYCA is his first volunteering engagement where he dedicates most of his free time since 2020.
Florjan Muhaj, 25. Public Administration Employee, Head of EU Integration and Foreign Funds Coordination Unit at the Municipality of Patos. Member of the U.S. Embassy Youth Council Albania since March 2017. Former Board Member and currently part of Culture and Entertainment Department. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in "Political Science" from the University of Tirana, and a Master's Degree in "Integration and Governance" from the University of Salzburg, Austria. Florjan is a U.S. Exchange Alumni with the Global UGRAD Program, exchange student for one semester at the University of Wyoming, United States, in 2016.
Ilvi Dedaj is 23 years old and he is from Puka. He is employed and has just finished his Master’s studies. He joined USEYCA recently (May, 2020). His fields of interest are: economics with focus in macroeconomics, entrepreneurship and business, sports and politics. He has initiated one of the series of "Youth Talk" and informal meeting with our peers at YAG near OSCE Presence in Albania.
Xhenis Kllogjri, 22. He finished his Bachelor Studies in the field of Law in support of his continuous interest in International Law and International Relations. He has worked as an English teacher in Egypt as part of an AIESEC Internship project. His working experience developed even further when he worked in the Incoming Global Volunteers department in AIESEC. Participant of MEU Romania, simulation of the EU Parliament. His work with USEYCA began in May 2020 and keeps going strong despite social distancing.
Xhulio Hasa, 27. He works as a mobile developer and joined USEYCA in 2020. His world is characterized by variety and passion. Positivity, communication and logic are his symbol. He loves art in any kind it manifests, mainly in music and movies. His involvement in technology is something he can’t be identified without but in the other hand, sports and activities make a great part of him. He likes futuristic but loves mystic and likes material but loves spiritual. Deep conversations, philosophy and discussing our every thing’s origin occupy quite a lot of his time. His interests are mainly targeted in technology, art, communication, youth empowerment and youth awakening.
Social Activities and Community Service
Youth Empowerment
Ksenia Ramaj is the coordinator of Youth Empowerment Department. She is a senior at "Sinan Tafaj" High School. Ksenia enjoys contributing to different NGOs and is really keen on public speaking. She has been part of several important projects of U.S. Embassy like Speak Up and Outdoor Ambassadors. Her hobbies could apply themselves to any field, from arts (music, cross stichting & cooking) to scientific ones (informatics & physics).
Arlind Kamberi, 17, studying as a scholarship holder at "Ernest Koliqi" High School. He joined U.S Embassy Youth Council on May 2020 and since that time, has participated in Youth Talks and other activities organized online. In his personal opinion, USEYCA is definitely amazing and unique, starting from the super people and team spirit there. Arlnd’s hobbies include playing the classical and flamenco guitar (since 10 years), programming, reading a lot about biotech and bioinformatics as his favorite field, participating in many extracurricular activities (especially MUNs and Debate/Tech Clubs), learning foreign languages too (currently learning the 4th one). He was one of the organizers of UNYD Albania open air meeting with USYECA members.
Erisa Meçolli, graduated in Finance and Accounting. Before joining the U.S Embassy Youth Council in 2018, she had completed an exchange program in the U.S named Professional Fellows Program supported by the U.S Department of State. Despite developing herself professionally, she has been volunteering in the community for 8 years organizing different activities for children. Erisa believes it is especially important to raise the youth of Albania, with the concept of volunteer work, and only educated and collaborative spirits can do great things like we see in developed countries. “People shouldn’t worry about whether they will make a huge difference because even a small effort can have an impact on the lives of others” is her motto.
Frenk Hysenaj, is 19 years old and currently a freshman at University of New York Tirana. He has joined USEYCA in December 2019 but has a few years of experience in other NGOs such as: Outdoor Ambassadors and New Vision. Frenk loves team work in order to achieve great things, (that also includes sports). He also enjoys having intellectual discussions about different topics and coming up with viable solutions to many of the problems that surround us every day.
Gea Koduzi, 21, is currently enrolled in Bocconi University Milan where she is pursuing her studies in “Management and Economics “. She has been actively involved in youth empowerment and civic engagement activities since high school where she also served as the President of Outdoor Ambassadors. Last year she also worked as an intern in the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy Albania. Her passion and commitment to promote a sustainable development of our society is also reflected through her academic choices such as to attend a summer program for “Social Business” in HEC Paris or have an elective “Sustainable Supply Chai” in Bocconi. Driven by the need to have a deeper understanding of the problems faced nowadays by the Albanian society, and willingness to have a meaningful contribution in addressing these problems, she recently became a member of the USEYCA in October 2020.
Grejsi Rudi is 18 years old , born and raised in Tirana, Albania. She studies at “Albanian University” (UFO) for multimedia, design. She has shown interest in visual arts at a young age and has learned many things related to art in general through her family. Grejsi joined the U.S Embassy Youth Council in February 2020, with activism, self growth, willing for change as he primary goals. She has tried building her own recycling campaign with funny and eco friendly hacks everyone can do at home.
Marlin Muca, 22, part of Youth Empowerment Department. During high school, he developed interest in history, literature, diplomacy and political ideologies. Then, he registered in the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, following the footsteps of his grandfather who served as a prosecutor. Marlin mainly focused on public law (history of institutions, constitutional right, philosophy, international relation etc). He also was engaged in many of the civil society activities revolving corruption, human rights and justice reform.