Social security policy and pension reform in the western Balkans

Despite recent economic growth, the countries of the Western Balkans share a catalogue of social problems ranging from high unemployment, low participation rates, falling birth rates, ageing populations, severe poverty, and migration of many young and skilled people. This article tracks the similarities and differences in the responses of the countries of the Western Balkans to these difficulties, with a focus on pension systems reform. It shows how social protection systems have been weakened by efforts to cut public expenditure and reduce budget deficits and how, following the advice of international organisations and policy advisers, several countries have introduced partially privatised three-pillar pension systems in an environment of underdeveloped capital markets. It discusses the features of the new reformed pension systems, and reviews the systems in those countries which have not yet adopted such reforms. It highlights the problems and risks facing the partially privatised pension schemes. The article also considers the context for the different approaches adopted in the region. It concludes that at the present state of their economic transition and development, the late reforming countries would be better advised to focus on improving the efficiency of their existing arrangements, and on the regional coordination of their social security and pension systems, rather than engaging in radical privatisation in pursuit of uncertain benefits.</jats:p

The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

After a three-year quarantine from the deadliest global pandemic of the last century, ASTES is organizing to gather all health professionals in Tirana, The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery(ACTES 2022) on 11-12 November 2022, with the topic Trauma & Emergency Surgery and not only...with the aim of providing high quality, the best standards, and the best results, for our patients ...ACTES 2022 is the largest event that ASTES (Albanian Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery) has organized so far with 230 presentations, and 67 foreign lecturers with enviable geography, making it the largest national and wider scientific event.The scientific program is as strong as ever, thanks to the inclusiveness, where all the participants with a mix of foreign and local lecturers, select the best of the moment in medical science, innovation, and observation.The scientific committee has selected all the presentations so that the participants of each medical discipline will have something to learn, discuss, debate, and agree with updated methods, techniques, and protocols.I hope you will join us on Friday morning, and continue the journey of our two-day event together