Draft:Albanian-American Association of Ulqin

The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin (Albanian: Shoqata Ulqini - SHBA) (Montenegrin: Albansko-Američko Udruženje Ulcinj). is a non-religious, nonpartisan, nonprofit association dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enriching Albanian culture in the United States, advocating for Albanian rights in Montenegro, and facilitating humanitarian aid to those in need throughout the Western Balkans.

History
Inspired by the nonprofit association, Albanian Roots, The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin was founded by Xhemal Lanica, along with Lemo Goga and Can Duli in Staten Island, NY on February 13, 2022.

Mission
The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin is deeply committed to promoting cultural activities and movements that celebrate the diverse heritage of Albanian culture. Through a range of events and initiatives, including cultural festivals, educational workshops, and exhibitions, the organization provides a platform for Albanian-Americans to connect, collaborate, and showcase their cultural traditions. These efforts play a crucial role in fostering a sense of identity and belonging among community members, as well as preserving Albanian heritage in the United States and Montenegro for future generations.

Activities
A significant aspect of The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin's work involves organizing various events such as network gatherings and picnics, which serve as opportunities for community building and fostering meaningful connections among Albanian-Americans. The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin orchestrated, along with former City Councilman Mark Gjonaj and other Albanian-American associations, the largest Albanian picnic in the history of Staten Island; which gathered over 6,000 Albanian-Americans from all 5 boroughs of New York City and New Jersey.

Furthermore, the organization is dedicated to assisting with projects in Ulcinj, Montenegro, including crowdfunding campaigns to provide aid for individuals facing health-related concerns and initiatives for the restoration of religious and historical monuments. One example is a town hall meeting organized in honor of former Prime Minister of Montenegro and fellow Ulcinj native, Dritan Abazovic. Another key event was the authoring and facilitating of a Sister city agreement between the cities of Ulcinj and Staten Island, a borough of New York City which over 10,000 Albanians from Montenegro reside. In coordination with the Office of the President of Albania, President Bajram Begaj was able to donate Albanian language books for their Albanian language program, Meso Shqip, in which they co-sponsor and coordinate with the Kraja Association and the Ana Malit Association. They also work closely with the Albanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Embassy of Montenegro, Washington, D.C., as they are uniquely positioned to advocate for and represent both the Albanian and Montenegrin diaspora due to the geographic position and ethnic demographics of the city they represent, Ulcinj.

In addition to its cultural and community endeavors, The Albanian-American Association of Ulqin is actively engaged in humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting Albanians in need, both locally and internationally. Utilizing a network of delegates, advisers, and analysts, the organization coordinates activist campaigns and fundraising efforts to address pressing issues facing Albanian communities in Montenegro and the wider Western Balkan region