An Albanian in Belgian politics

Claudia Hajdari was only 16 years old when she was elected as an ambassador for a youth organization. While in October of this 18-year-old year, she has been chosen as one of the candidates in local elections in the Vilvoorde municipality in Belgium.

I never thought about getting into politics at first, but I'm an ambassador and a youth organization. I had gone to El Salvador for my project in Latin America and when I returned my city of Vilvoorde had made a press conference for me. That's when I met the mayor of Vilvoord, and we kept in touch. When it came time to make the passport list for local elections, she asked if you would like to join the candidate list for the municipal council”, she says.

Among the 35 existing candidates as municipal adviser, Claudia ranks 14th and is the only Albanian.
I have a little excitement that I want to represent Albania well. Even the Albanian community in Belgium. I hope, because there are many other competitors, other candidates who are very good, are very strong, that I am still young. I don't know many people in Vilvoorde yet, and neither do they know me”, follows Claudia.

While according to her, one of the areas where the community in particular and children and young people most need investment is Albanian schools, which must extend beyond Brussels.
I want to have schools for all so Albanians can integrate. People living far away cannot come to Brussels to take children to the Albanian school”, she says.