She aims high. She is full of energy and talents. With a long list of accomplishments and a fervent desire to do the best in her budding career, Ina Gjikondi, the Secretary General of the United Nations Association of Albania (UNAA), represents a good example of how much a person can achieve in spite of the age. She was born in Tirana, Albania on the 15th of April 1985, at the same day of the Communist Dictator Enver Hoxha's Funeral. She is expected to be graduated in law this year. Parallel to school, she has been actively involved in the UN activities. She admits that contributing to UN remains an experience which has shaped her world around her.

After working for Citizens Youth Commission, Municipality of Tirana and Albanian Society for All Ages during 2003-2004, she took the plunge when she got the post of the UNAA President in June 2004 until December of the same year. The UNAA, which has been functioning since 2002 as the "Albanian Youth Model for United Nations", was officially established as a national and non-governmental organization in June 2004. The UNAA became a formal member of World Federation of United Nations in September 2004 and acts, since then, as a national branch of this umbrella organization. The UNAA mission is to build and mobilize public support/contribution for promoting United Nations goals and objectives in Albania. To that purpose, Ina has launched herself in various activities which are part of the systematic and nation-wide campaign to elevate the public awareness in general, and those of the target groups in particular.

Her passion for making a better life for the people has led her to an exciting career. Advocating for the elderly' rights and supporting a tangible strategy for this vulnerable category in Albania is very close to her heart. Actually she is the National Coordinator for Intergeneration Board in the framework of the National Ageing Strategy. She has been awarded even for her constant contribution in this field: Best Practices Award for special effort and contribution to the Intergeneration Program and Elderly, International Day of Older People, 1 October, 2005, ASAG(Albanian Society for All Ages).

Apart from that, her interests cover other fields such as International Law, Social/Humanitarian Affairs, Campaign Management/Fundraising and Research, Civil Society Development, Community Service and Diplomacy.

What strikes about Ina is her engagement in a range of fields mainly social issues. They give a flavour to her character. On top of all, she discovered lately one of her latent interests, quite by chance, that was campaign management. Being part of the audience during a course on this subject, she found out that this field was of much interest to her. That's why this year she decided to follow her Masters in Washington in Political Management. That's takes special importance knowing that the fragile Albanian democracy needs to learn a lot in this respect.

She has dedicated much of her time eve to the activities abroad knowing that exchanging experiences is key to expanding knowledge. She has taken part in many symposiums and conferences relating to women, youth, peace and democracy, globalization and violence. She has participated in the European UNA's Symposium in Geneva, "UN Members Day", WFUNA in New York, Regional Meeting "Youth Spreading Peace and Democracy" in Kosovo" Conference Youth and Globalization" in Strasbourg, "Youth Action Week SEE in Macedonia and many others.

In a word, she is a proper UN activist in action, always on the run. Dedication, affection and curiosity dominates her work. She is trying to run faster than the time. She has accomplished a lot, much more to come in the future. Ina believes in that when her motto is the saying of Albanian icon, Mother Theresa: "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."