[Interview] Elona Taka, Albania

DiploFoundation Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme: Please introduce yourself explaining why you decided to take the time to pursue Internet governance training. What makes these discussions relevant to what you believe and your professional career?

Elona Taka: My name is Elona Taka. I am an IT Specialist in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania. I was recommended to this course by one colleague of mine who is a lawyer and took this course last year. The term Internet Governance was completely new to me before this course, I have been dealing with IG issues before, without knowing . Then as the training proceeded a new universe was opened to me.

The topics were very interesting, and I realized how little was done in my country to address Internet Governance issues, even by the Government, which is one of the main stakeholders. Being “part” of this stakeholder I felt a little bit guilty…

Diplo IGCBP: Can you illustrate to us how was the capacity building programme?

Elona: The capacity building program was an extraordinary experience. The topics were very interesting and the comments from the other participants also. I felt I really had to work hard to be at their level. Week two and three were the most impegniatives ones. I searched the internet for examples and info.

Diplo IGCBP: What did you enjoy the most?

Elona: I really enjoyed the technical basket, which was related to my profession. And then came the chat sessions, which were the best part. I was lucky my tutor, Biljana and some of the friends were from my region, so we could share our experiences on issues which were pretty much the same, and related mostly to the human nature of our people.

Diplo IGCBP: What are your next goals and dreams in professional terms?

Elona: I would like very much to continue working on IG in my country, maybe in another position where I could really do a work that will have positive impacts on it. ICT is very present in our lives, and influences our way of living. The Government has some projects regarding e-Participation; little is done by the civil society and groups of interest. We need some
coordination.

The organization of a National IGF would be a good thing, so we could participate in the debate also, not just use what the others have decided for.

Diplo IGCBP: From all the issues discussed, which ones meant more to you?

Elona: I really liked “Data Protection”, that’s why I decided to continue the advanced phase on this subject. I think this is important because there is very little knowledge about this in my country. People like to use the new technologies enjoying their benefits, but they do not take care to protect their data. They do not know how, and sometimes they don’t even care.

In using social networks for example, they are not very careful, putting there all kind of information. They say they have nothing to hide, or any information anybody would be interested to steal or use, but when evidence is shown to them, how this data could be misused, sometimes it is too late.

Diplo IGCBP: Any final message?

Elona: The use of ICT and Internet has increased notably these last years in Albania. People are aware they have to be ICT literate if they want to improve their life, they all benefit from using ICT and all agree it contributes to development. That’s why I would continue to be interested IG and IG meetings, trying to identify and bring to dialogue the issues, and also trying to find a solution.