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Conference Presentations by Irida Agolli

Research paper thumbnail of Government Responses to the Survivors of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Study of Albania

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 2019

This paper introduces Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for return... more This paper introduces Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returning Albanian survivors of trafficking in human beings. Focusing on an in-depth analysis of governmental, non-governmental documents and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with service providers and trafficking survivors. Furthermore, this paper will especially focus on the governmental efforts to provide support to the survivors, focusing on their needs and challenges. This study explores the conditions and actual services provided to the survivors of trafficking in human beings that are in the reintegration process in Albania. Moreover, it examines the responsible mechanisms accountable for the reintegration process, by analysing synergies between governmental and non-governmental organisations. Also, this paper explores the governmental approach towards trafficking survivors and apprises policymakers to undertake changes and reforms in their future actions.

Papers by Irida Agolli

Research paper thumbnail of Risk and Protective Factors to Prevent Recidivism of Minors in Criminality, a Preventive Approach in Criminal Justice

European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 2015

The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the pr... more The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the principles of literature “What works” in the field of criminal sentences. Ministry of Justice in Albania has not developed yet a model to address recidivism, especially recidivism of minors and young age. Despite the fact that Probation Service and General Directorate of Prisons, lately in the main documents of assessing offenders have reflected the preventive approach, there is no an integrated strategy to address recidivism according to the model of risk and protective factors. The discussion presents the principles of preventive approach in the field of criminal sentences and in this frame the model of risk and protective factors it’s viewed as an approach to be accepted from the policymakers as the only effective strategy addressing recidivism.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk and Protective Factors to Prevent Recidivism of Minors in Criminality, a Preventive Approach in Criminal Justice

European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 2015

The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the pr... more The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the principles of literature “What works” in the field of criminal sentences. Ministry of Justice in Albania has not developed yet a model to address recidivism, especially recidivism of minors and young age. Despite the fact that Probation Service and General Directorate of Prisons, lately in the main documents of assessing offenders have reflected the preventive approach, there is no an integrated strategy to address recidivism according to the model of risk and protective factors. The discussion presents the principles of preventive approach in the field of criminal sentences and in this frame the model of risk and protective factors it’s viewed as an approach to be accepted from the policymakers as the only effective strategy addressing recidivism.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS in Albania Utilizing the Framework of Human Rights

Anglisticum Journal, 2015

The aim of the paper is to assess the vulnerability of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Al... more The aim of the paper is to assess the vulnerability of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Albania and explore to what extent stigma and discrimination prevent people living with HIV (accessing) entitlements and realizing human rights. The questions of individual interviews made with PLHA are divided into several sections, namely in: (i) attitudes, experiences, evocations of PLHA; (ii) models and main forms of PLHA support; (iii) PLHA perceptions of stigma and discrimination and their effect on these people‟s rights. In total were recruited 36 people, 31 PLWHA accepted to be interviewed and the rest didn‟t accept. PLWHA find it difficult to talk about their HIV-positive status even though many of them have been living with this disease for several years. Non-disclosure of HIV-status presents as anxiety in PLWHA, and acts as a significant barrier preventing this patient population from attaining different social and health services. Of the PLWHA that were interviewed, 80% were no...

Research paper thumbnail of Teachers’ Experience and Perceptions on Conflicts at Schools: Their Solution and Addressing

Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2015

School is a social institution that is charged with two main responsibilities by society: to educ... more School is a social institution that is charged with two main responsibilities by society: to educate and to protect the children and their development. Providing a safe and complete education for all the students is a difficult challenge, since the conflicts at school facilities are increasing. Many of them derive from the misunderstanding of others' aims, feelings, needs or actions. Students must be taught to respect and appreciate the distinctions between people, understand prejudice, causes and ways of the action and its form. This study aimed to analyze teachers' perception on conflicts that appear in school facilities, their causes, consequences and how they practically deal with conflictive cases at schools; and identifying some interventional forms for the resolution of these conflicts. The study shows that conflicts are a disturbing problem at school and sometimes teachers claim that it is difficult for them to deal with conflicts. Teachers report some of the main causes of conflicts, such as social websites, different interests and viewpoints, individual differences among them (family background), lack of communication and the way of communication, linguistic and cultural differences, disciplinary offences, lack of parental supervision, lack of education related to tolerance, lack of strict discipline and lack of disciplinary measures. School should be focused more on youth education to prevent conflicts.

Research paper thumbnail of Government Responses to the Survivors of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Study of Albania

This paper presents Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returnin... more This paper presents Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returning Albanian survivors of trafficking in human beings. Focusing on an in-depth analysis of governmental, non-governmental documents and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with service providers and trafficking survivors. Furthermore, this paper will especially focus on the governmental efforts to provide support to the survivors, focusing on their needs and challenges. This study explores the conditions and actual services provided to the survivors of trafficking in human beings that are in the reintegration process in Albania. Moreover, it examines the responsible mechanisms accountable for the reintegration process, by analysing synergies between governmental and non-governmental organisations. Also, this paper explores the governmental approach towards trafficking survivors and apprises policymakers to undertake changes and reforms in their future actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of Service Providers for People Living with Hiv/Aids on Challenges They Face While Providing Services

This study aims to analyze the perceptions of service providers related to services provided for ... more This study aims to analyze the perceptions of service providers related to services provided for people with HIV/AIDS and what they suggest to meet these needs. In Albania, the study focuses on services provided for PLWHA and challenges that service providers encounter. In this study a quality methodology has been used. Service providers were interviewed using 20 semi-structured interviews. Data collection took place in the University Hospital “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, in the Infective Hospital Service. Data revealed that service providers refer changes in the way services are provided for PLWHA. Medical staff of Infective Hospital Service in TUHC shows a positive attitude toward these people as information and understanding about the disease has increased in the last few years. This institution has constantly sought to raise awareness and inform other professionals, family members, relatives and PLWHA themselves about this disease. There are a lot of difficulties that medical serv...

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections and Experiences of Parents During Hospitalization of Children and Support Provided by the Staff at the Paediatric Hospital of Tirana

Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2015

Hospitalization of children can create difficult and emotional psycho-social situations for child... more Hospitalization of children can create difficult and emotional psycho-social situations for children and their families. Hospitalization may be strongly or naturally experienced by children depending on what is the level of their preliminary preparation to the hospitalization process. The study aims to address the parents' experiences during hospitalization of children and medical and psycho-social services offered for children and their parents/guardians. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used for data collection. The study has included parents of hospitalised children and medical and psycho-social staff offering services for these children. Parents report that in general there is a lack of preparation procedures for the process of children hospitalization, while the staff is only focused on providing medical service. Most of the parents participating in this study have chosen not to inform their children about their disease and not to allow medical staff or even professionals of psycho-social service either to do such a thing. The psycho-social service is in its first steps and most of the parents are not aware of this service. Children and parents should be part of decisions related to the treatment and procedures the children will go through. The psycho-social service offers a greater support for the family, children and medical staff.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiences and Perceptions of the Parents of Children with Autism in Relation to Involvement in Kindergarten and the Impact on Them

Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences dhe perceptions of the parents of children w... more The aim of this study was to explore the experiences dhe perceptions of the parents of children with autism in relation to involvement in kindergarten and the impact on them. The qualitative method was used in the study. Semi-structured interview with open-ended questions was the instrument for data collection. Data collections were made possible by interviewing 21parents of children with autism in Tirana, Albania. Through data analyses it came out that: (i) Most of children with autism attended kindergartens, in most cases private ones. The reasons that children with autism did not attend public kindergartens were because their staff didn't welcome them, they were considered as problematic, the highest number of children in the group, and a lack of specialized staff. For most parents private kindergarten remain the only option; (ii) The involvement of autistic children in kindergartens had a positive impact on them. Kindergarten had many influences especially on their child's socialization, on collaboration with others, on the structuring behavior, on the child cognitive development, on reducing aggression, increase cooperation between each other and in the ability to understand the context and to learn to work with others; (iii) The problem remains the lack of specific knowledge and information on autism from kindergarten staff.

Research paper thumbnail of Child Social Protection: Accessible by All or None? A Qualitative Analysis of Child Protection Workers Views in Albania

World Journal of Social Science

Limited research has focused on the challenges of child protection workers involved in the social... more Limited research has focused on the challenges of child protection workers involved in the social protection system in Albania. Despite the changes that social protection has undergone over the last years, obstacles arise in the implementation process. Regardless of the strategies and programs targeting child protection in Albania children have not been protected from exploitation and other life-threatening risks. Mainly non-governmental organizations and stakeholders who support the child social protection system in Albania have been involved in continuous efforts to identify what is missing, and what needs to improve regarding the child social protection system. This paper presents the experiences of child protection workers on how the current social protection system responds to the needs of children and their families. The data was collected from 10 child protection workers in Albania using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews. This research found that there is a gap ...

Research paper thumbnail of Government Responses to the Survivors of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Study of Albania

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 2019

This paper introduces Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for return... more This paper introduces Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returning Albanian survivors of trafficking in human beings. Focusing on an in-depth analysis of governmental, non-governmental documents and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with service providers and trafficking survivors. Furthermore, this paper will especially focus on the governmental efforts to provide support to the survivors, focusing on their needs and challenges. This study explores the conditions and actual services provided to the survivors of trafficking in human beings that are in the reintegration process in Albania. Moreover, it examines the responsible mechanisms accountable for the reintegration process, by analysing synergies between governmental and non-governmental organisations. Also, this paper explores the governmental approach towards trafficking survivors and apprises policymakers to undertake changes and reforms in their future actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk and Protective Factors to Prevent Recidivism of Minors in Criminality, a Preventive Approach in Criminal Justice

European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 2015

The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the pr... more The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the principles of literature “What works” in the field of criminal sentences. Ministry of Justice in Albania has not developed yet a model to address recidivism, especially recidivism of minors and young age. Despite the fact that Probation Service and General Directorate of Prisons, lately in the main documents of assessing offenders have reflected the preventive approach, there is no an integrated strategy to address recidivism according to the model of risk and protective factors. The discussion presents the principles of preventive approach in the field of criminal sentences and in this frame the model of risk and protective factors it’s viewed as an approach to be accepted from the policymakers as the only effective strategy addressing recidivism.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk and Protective Factors to Prevent Recidivism of Minors in Criminality, a Preventive Approach in Criminal Justice

European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 2015

The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the pr... more The model of risk and protective factors results as a model that is in full agreement with the principles of literature “What works” in the field of criminal sentences. Ministry of Justice in Albania has not developed yet a model to address recidivism, especially recidivism of minors and young age. Despite the fact that Probation Service and General Directorate of Prisons, lately in the main documents of assessing offenders have reflected the preventive approach, there is no an integrated strategy to address recidivism according to the model of risk and protective factors. The discussion presents the principles of preventive approach in the field of criminal sentences and in this frame the model of risk and protective factors it’s viewed as an approach to be accepted from the policymakers as the only effective strategy addressing recidivism.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS in Albania Utilizing the Framework of Human Rights

Anglisticum Journal, 2015

The aim of the paper is to assess the vulnerability of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Al... more The aim of the paper is to assess the vulnerability of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Albania and explore to what extent stigma and discrimination prevent people living with HIV (accessing) entitlements and realizing human rights. The questions of individual interviews made with PLHA are divided into several sections, namely in: (i) attitudes, experiences, evocations of PLHA; (ii) models and main forms of PLHA support; (iii) PLHA perceptions of stigma and discrimination and their effect on these people‟s rights. In total were recruited 36 people, 31 PLWHA accepted to be interviewed and the rest didn‟t accept. PLWHA find it difficult to talk about their HIV-positive status even though many of them have been living with this disease for several years. Non-disclosure of HIV-status presents as anxiety in PLWHA, and acts as a significant barrier preventing this patient population from attaining different social and health services. Of the PLWHA that were interviewed, 80% were no...

Research paper thumbnail of Teachers’ Experience and Perceptions on Conflicts at Schools: Their Solution and Addressing

Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2015

School is a social institution that is charged with two main responsibilities by society: to educ... more School is a social institution that is charged with two main responsibilities by society: to educate and to protect the children and their development. Providing a safe and complete education for all the students is a difficult challenge, since the conflicts at school facilities are increasing. Many of them derive from the misunderstanding of others' aims, feelings, needs or actions. Students must be taught to respect and appreciate the distinctions between people, understand prejudice, causes and ways of the action and its form. This study aimed to analyze teachers' perception on conflicts that appear in school facilities, their causes, consequences and how they practically deal with conflictive cases at schools; and identifying some interventional forms for the resolution of these conflicts. The study shows that conflicts are a disturbing problem at school and sometimes teachers claim that it is difficult for them to deal with conflicts. Teachers report some of the main causes of conflicts, such as social websites, different interests and viewpoints, individual differences among them (family background), lack of communication and the way of communication, linguistic and cultural differences, disciplinary offences, lack of parental supervision, lack of education related to tolerance, lack of strict discipline and lack of disciplinary measures. School should be focused more on youth education to prevent conflicts.

Research paper thumbnail of Government Responses to the Survivors of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Study of Albania

This paper presents Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returnin... more This paper presents Albanian government policies regarding the reintegration process for returning Albanian survivors of trafficking in human beings. Focusing on an in-depth analysis of governmental, non-governmental documents and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with service providers and trafficking survivors. Furthermore, this paper will especially focus on the governmental efforts to provide support to the survivors, focusing on their needs and challenges. This study explores the conditions and actual services provided to the survivors of trafficking in human beings that are in the reintegration process in Albania. Moreover, it examines the responsible mechanisms accountable for the reintegration process, by analysing synergies between governmental and non-governmental organisations. Also, this paper explores the governmental approach towards trafficking survivors and apprises policymakers to undertake changes and reforms in their future actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of Service Providers for People Living with Hiv/Aids on Challenges They Face While Providing Services

This study aims to analyze the perceptions of service providers related to services provided for ... more This study aims to analyze the perceptions of service providers related to services provided for people with HIV/AIDS and what they suggest to meet these needs. In Albania, the study focuses on services provided for PLWHA and challenges that service providers encounter. In this study a quality methodology has been used. Service providers were interviewed using 20 semi-structured interviews. Data collection took place in the University Hospital “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, in the Infective Hospital Service. Data revealed that service providers refer changes in the way services are provided for PLWHA. Medical staff of Infective Hospital Service in TUHC shows a positive attitude toward these people as information and understanding about the disease has increased in the last few years. This institution has constantly sought to raise awareness and inform other professionals, family members, relatives and PLWHA themselves about this disease. There are a lot of difficulties that medical serv...

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections and Experiences of Parents During Hospitalization of Children and Support Provided by the Staff at the Paediatric Hospital of Tirana

Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2015

Hospitalization of children can create difficult and emotional psycho-social situations for child... more Hospitalization of children can create difficult and emotional psycho-social situations for children and their families. Hospitalization may be strongly or naturally experienced by children depending on what is the level of their preliminary preparation to the hospitalization process. The study aims to address the parents' experiences during hospitalization of children and medical and psycho-social services offered for children and their parents/guardians. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used for data collection. The study has included parents of hospitalised children and medical and psycho-social staff offering services for these children. Parents report that in general there is a lack of preparation procedures for the process of children hospitalization, while the staff is only focused on providing medical service. Most of the parents participating in this study have chosen not to inform their children about their disease and not to allow medical staff or even professionals of psycho-social service either to do such a thing. The psycho-social service is in its first steps and most of the parents are not aware of this service. Children and parents should be part of decisions related to the treatment and procedures the children will go through. The psycho-social service offers a greater support for the family, children and medical staff.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiences and Perceptions of the Parents of Children with Autism in Relation to Involvement in Kindergarten and the Impact on Them

Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences dhe perceptions of the parents of children w... more The aim of this study was to explore the experiences dhe perceptions of the parents of children with autism in relation to involvement in kindergarten and the impact on them. The qualitative method was used in the study. Semi-structured interview with open-ended questions was the instrument for data collection. Data collections were made possible by interviewing 21parents of children with autism in Tirana, Albania. Through data analyses it came out that: (i) Most of children with autism attended kindergartens, in most cases private ones. The reasons that children with autism did not attend public kindergartens were because their staff didn't welcome them, they were considered as problematic, the highest number of children in the group, and a lack of specialized staff. For most parents private kindergarten remain the only option; (ii) The involvement of autistic children in kindergartens had a positive impact on them. Kindergarten had many influences especially on their child's socialization, on collaboration with others, on the structuring behavior, on the child cognitive development, on reducing aggression, increase cooperation between each other and in the ability to understand the context and to learn to work with others; (iii) The problem remains the lack of specific knowledge and information on autism from kindergarten staff.

Research paper thumbnail of Child Social Protection: Accessible by All or None? A Qualitative Analysis of Child Protection Workers Views in Albania

World Journal of Social Science

Limited research has focused on the challenges of child protection workers involved in the social... more Limited research has focused on the challenges of child protection workers involved in the social protection system in Albania. Despite the changes that social protection has undergone over the last years, obstacles arise in the implementation process. Regardless of the strategies and programs targeting child protection in Albania children have not been protected from exploitation and other life-threatening risks. Mainly non-governmental organizations and stakeholders who support the child social protection system in Albania have been involved in continuous efforts to identify what is missing, and what needs to improve regarding the child social protection system. This paper presents the experiences of child protection workers on how the current social protection system responds to the needs of children and their families. The data was collected from 10 child protection workers in Albania using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews. This research found that there is a gap ...