A MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER OF THE
ECMI NGO NETWORK
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF INTERETHNIC RELATIONS
IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
-Society
Development Initiative-
July
2004, Issue no. 28
This is the Newsletter of the
ECMI NGO
Network for the Improvement of the Interethnic Relations in the Republic of
Macedonia
. This Network is a result of a joint initiative between the
European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
, in Flensburg , Germany and members of this Network.
This Network will enhance the co-operation of the member NGOs towards the
development and improvement of interethnic tolerance, respect for
differences and dialogue among all those living in the Republic of Macedonia
.
In particular, this NGO Network aims to strengthen the capacities of the
participating NGOs to generate joint projects and other initiatives with a
strong interethnic dimension and to implement such initiatives.
Network Aims
1. Promotion of mutual
cooperation through exchange of all available resources.
2. Initiation and implementation of joint projects.
3. Increasing the influence of NGOs in the community.
4. Creation and development of a joint strategy for the improvement of
interethnic relations.
5. Expansion of the network.
Previous issues of the Newsletter at:
www.ecmingonet.org.mk/
publications_uk.htm
Contact information:
ECMI
Regional Office Skopje
Address: Majka Tereza 13a, Skopje
Telephone: +389 (0)2 3215 637; 3215 638
Fax: +389 (0) 2 3215 639
Email:ecmimkd@ecmingonet.org.mk
The ECMI project in Macedonia has been funded by generous contributions of :
ECMI REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTRES
ECMI
Regional Centre Skopje
Address: Majka Tereza 13a, Skopje
Telephone: 389 (0)2 3215 637
E-mail:
ecmiskopje@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact person: Gordana Cvetkoska
ECMI
Regional Centre Kumanovo
Address: Lokalitet Garnizon 1/1-2, Kumanovo
Telephone/ Fax: 389 (0)31 425 456
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact person: Elena
Petkovska
ECMI
Regional Centre Bitola
Address: Josif Hristovski 4/4, Bitola
Telephone/ Fax: 389 (0)47 236 874
E-mail:
ecmibitola@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact
person: Lidija Angelkovska
ECMI
Regional Centre Gostivar
Address: 17 Noemvri 37a, Gostivar
Telephone/ Fax: 389 (0)42 212 273
E-mail:
ecmigostivar@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact person: Nebija
Ismaili
ECMI Regional Centre Stip
Address: Vanco Prke 62/3-2, Stip
Telephone/ Fax: 389 (0)32 382 510
E-mail:
ecmistip@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact
person: Tatjana Nikolovska
ECMI Regional Centre Tetovo
Address: JNA 18, Tetovo
Telephone/ Fax: 389 (0)44 331 854
E-mail:
ecmitetovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact person: Elvira Murtezani
We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the ECMI NGO Network Newsletter.
If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement of this newsletter,
please contact Verica Grdanoska at:
grdanoska@ecmingonet.org.mk
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ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Kumanovo
“Youth and NGO’s”
The Women Association “Kolo na Srpskite Sestri” in partnership with the
Interethnic NGO Network “MAJKA” and the Humanitarian Organization “El Hilal”
concluded the implementation of the pilot initiative “Youth and NGO’s”.
The aim was to decrease the negative behavior of the young people from
Kumanovo at the same time to develop a strong relationship between the youth
and the NGOs. Two hundred youths with different ethnic background were
engaged in the survey carried out with aim to identify the needs of the
youth and to defining the concept of cooperation between the youth and the
NGOs. Through the second phase of this initiative, six open forums were held
at the secondary schools in Kumanovo in order to stimulate further
cooperation with the NGOs.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Tetovo
Let’s do something more
The city of Tetovo faces the challenges of the transitional period same
as the other parts of Macedonia . As an addition to this process of reforms
and transition in the area of Tetovo is the post war crisis and its effects
are still very strong and results with various problems and complications.
In order to give positive impact on solving this problems the Youth Alliance
in partnership with all other members of the Regional Centre Tetovo
implemented the initiative “Let’s do something more”. In purpose of
gathering information regarding the needs and problems in Tetovo they held
four open forums on the issues of education, anticorruption, euro
integration and economical development. The outcomes were the
recommendations for possible directions and solutions which are going to be
initial point in their future initiatives. At the same time, the mutual
communication among the Tetovo citizen and NGO s was stimulated and
developed.
E-mail:
ecmitetovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Gostivar
“Reviving the tradition for producing old traditional clothes from Gostivar
area”
The implemented initiative “Reviving the tradition for producing old
traditional clothes from Gostivar area” was aimed to raise the awareness
among Gostivar citizens for the native treasures and to renowned the
traditional souvenirs. The initiative is implemented by the Organization of
Turkish Women in Macedonia "MATUKAT" in partnership with the League of
Albanian Women in Macedonia – branch Gostivar and the Organization of Women
– Gostivar.
30 women from rural areas of Gostivar and from the city itself attended the
courses and prepared different types of traditional clothes and souvenirs
with which they contributed to the enlivening of the tradition for producing
traditional clothes and souvenirs.
E-mail:
ecmigostivar@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Kumanovo
“Why not”
The implemented initiative “Why not” was aimed to enhance the capacity of
the NGOs through engagement of the youth membership and in the same time to
increase the membership of the Youth Active of ECMI Regional Centre
Kumanovo. The initiative is implemented by the Humanitarian association
“Majka” in partnership with the members of the Regional Centre Kumanovo.
150 young people from Kumanovo and Lipkovo were directly involved in the
implementation with aim to contribute in development of the civil society
and affirmation of the non-governmental sector through creation of the first
youth organization in Kumanovo.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI NGO Network
Semi – annual Assembly
The Semi – annual Assembly of the ECMI NGO Network for the Improvement of
Interethnic Relations in the Republic of Macedonia was held in Tetovo.
The working meeting started with the presentation of the work of the
Coordinative Body and its committees in the past six months. Also, the work
of each Regional Centre was presented as well as the ongoing process for
building sustainability of the Regional Centres. Subsequently, all
representatives of the member organisations present at the Semi - annual
Assembly, organised in several working groups, discussed the sustainability
of the Network and gave recommendations for the sustainability plan.
Moreover, a new name for the Network name was discussed and selected by the
members present at this meet. The new name of the Network is “ Society
Development Initiative ” and will be gradually phased in. The Press
Conference, chaired by the Chairperson of the Coordinative Body and the
Coordinator of the ECMI Regional Centre Tetovo marked the completion of this
event
E-mail:
ecmimkd@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Tetovo
The way to the mutual life
The NGO “Happy life” in partnership with the Forum of Albanian Women and the
Humanitarian Association of Roms in Macedonia "SONCE" concluded the
implementation of the three months initiative “The way to the mutual life”.
The aim is to raise the awareness of the young people from Glogi, Rogachevo
and Shipkovica, for the need of building confidence, respecting the
differences, learning more about other cultures and traditions and
practicing non violent communication as way of living. To achieve this, six
workshops were held on the issue of stereotypes and prejudices and non
violent communication in three Tetovo villages: Glogi, Shipkovica and
Rogachevo. Also, a video material was produced where Macedonian, Albanian,
Serbian and Roma wedding customs were presented.
E-mail:
ecmitetovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Intra Network “Youth Multicultural Initiatives”
"Local Action - National strategy ”
“Local Action - National strategy” is a six months initiative on a national
level implemented by the ECMI Intra Network “Youth Multicultural
Initiatives”. This is the first phase of the YMI plan to start wide action
for creation of Local Action Plans for youth and culture. The initiative
underlines active participation of the local people and authorities as well
the Local self government and representatives from YMI in attempt to act and
coordinate the efforts for equal participations of young people in the
society and decision making procedures. To achieve their aim the NGO members
of the YMI conducted a survey in order to scan the needs of youth,
concerning youth and cultural issues in Skopje , Tetovo, Gostivar, Kumanovo
and Bitola . Furthermore, a Local Action Plans in the field of youth and
cultural policy in the five municipalities were developed and presented to
the wider public. Moreover, to insure the implementation of these Action
Plans all included stakeholders signed the common Memorandum of Cooperation.
more
information >>>
E-mail:
mkcbt@mt.net.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Kumanovo
“Mosaic”
The three month pilot initiative “ Mosaic”, implemented by the Centre for
Roma Community “DROM” – Kumanovo in partnership with the Youth Active, and
the Humanitarian Organization “El Hilal” came to its end.
The aim is to prevent and overcome the conflict between the different ethnic
groups in Kumanovo. The implementing organizations moved towards achieving
their aim through conducting the survey necessary for identification of the
source of conflict among the youth from different ethnicities and carrying
out training for conflict resolution based on the survey results.
This initiative is based on close cooperation between the management of the
secondary schools, non-governmental organizations and students from
secondary schools from different ethnic groups.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Gostivar
“Water for Gostivar”
With aim to raise the awareness for improving the quality of the drinking
water and the water system in Gostivar and the area, the Permaculture and
Peacebuilding Center together with the Humanitarian Organization “UNITETI”
implemented the initiative “Water for Gostivar”.
The implementing NGOs has identified that the Public Enterprise “Komunalec”,
responsible for the water supply, can not take any activities for
improvement as it is facing financial problems as a result of the evasion of
the bills payment by the people from Gostivar and surrounding area. As a
result, the NGOs together with the experts from PE “Komunalec”, the main
architect and the health workers of Gostivar have organized a campaign for
inducing Gostivar citizens to pay the bills and in that way to instigate
improvement of the quality of the drinking water and the water supply
system.
E-mail:
ecmigostivar@ecmingonet.org.mk
ECMI Regional NGO Resource
Centre Tetovo
“ Weapons Never Again ”
The end of July marked
the completion of the project “ Weapons Never Again ”, implemented by the
NGO Youth Alliance in partnership with the Humanitarian Association of Roma
in Macedonia "SONCE", the Center for Democratic Development and the NGO
Handicap.
The aim was to provide the NGO sector with information, possible directions
and suggestions for further acting in the demilitarization process, by
examination of the public opinion in Tetovo and the region about the
possessi on and illegal us age of weapon. To achieve the aim, the
implementing NGOs conducted a survey for finding possible ways for
disarming, carred out 9 focus groups with the Mayors, representatives from
local communities and young people from the region, and produced 30 minutes
documetary film for disarming . Direct beneficiaries in this pilot phase of
the long term initiative were 250 people from Tetovo and the region as well
as NGOs which are working on the issue of disarming.
E-mail:
ecmitetovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
13 July
ECMI NGO Network
Meeting of the Coordinative Body
The Coordinative Body of the ECMI NGO Network for the Improvement of
Interethnic Relations in Macedonia held a meeting at the premises of the
Regional Office Skopje. The Agenda of the Semi - annual Assembly was
discussed once again as well as the responsibilities of the Initiative Tim
in this preparatory phase of the Semi - annual Assembly.
E-mail:
ecmimkd@ecmingonet.org.mk
Forum of Albanian Women, Tetovo
“The need and possibilities for management”
The initiative “The need and possibilities for management”, implemented by
the Forum of Albanian Women in partnership with the NGO “Happy Life”,
members of the ECMI NGO Network was presented at the Tetovo municipality
hall.
The aim is to gather information for the needs and possibilities for
management in Tetovo and to stimulate it through close cooperation with the
financial institutions from this town. A survey was conducted during the
first phase of the implementation process among a group of an unemployed
women, a closer cooperation with the financial sector was established in the
second phase, and in the following third phase a promotional material will
be published presenting the results of this initiative. The initiative is
financially supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia.
E-mail:
ecmitetovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
July 14
Working Group for Minority Issues
Presentation of the Shadow report on the situation of national minorities in
Macedonia
The Working Group for Minority Issues presented the Shadow report
on the situation of national minorities in Macedonia at the Regional Centres
Skopje, Shtip and Kumanovo on 24 July and Regional Centre Bitola on 25 July.
At the presentation с , were local stakeholders were present, it was stated
that the purpose of the Shadow Report of the Working Group is to contribute
to stabilization, secure the peace and well being of the citizens in the
Republic of Macedonia, to promote respect of the rights of the national
minorities and the practical implementation of the Framework Convention for
the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Macedonia. This
report represents an effort to get the attention of government institutions
and the international community by presenting information and standpoints of
the NGOs, which represent the ethnic communities
more information
E-mail:
ecmimkd@ecmingonet.org.mk
July 13
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Gostivar
Seminar “Organisational management"
A three - day seminar on the issue of “Organisational management”
was held at Hotel “Drim” Struga. It was organised by the Association for the
Development of Society in partnership with the Association for Education and
Culture "MILLENNIUM" and the Center for the Protection of Roms' Rights.
The seminar was aimed to enhance the capacities of the Regional Centre
Gostivar members’ through discussing the following topics: Management of an
NGO, Human Resources Management, Effective Communication, Chairing Effective
Meetings, and Administrative procedures.
E-mail:
ecmigostivar@ecmingonet.org.mk
July 13
ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Kumanovo
Consultative meeting of the Regional Advisory Team
At the
premises of the ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre Kumanovo, as part of the
initiative “Rural – ethnic connections”, the first consultative meeting of
the Regional Advisory Team was held. The “Rural – ethnic connections” is a
four months initiative implemented by the NGO S.O.S in partnership with the
Environmental Society “IZGREV”, the Ecological Society “NATYRA” and the
Serbian Community in Macedonia .
It is aimed to stimulate the development of the rural areas of Kumanovo,
Staro Nagorichane, Lipkovo and Sveti Nikole. The Regional Advisory Team is
consisted of representatives of the implementing NGOs and the Local
Authorities with an aim to initiate close cooperation between the fore
municipalities. The aim and objectives of the initiative were presented at
this meeting and also the goals and responsibilities of the team were
defined.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
July 05
Romani Women's Organization "DAJA" – Kumanovo
Debate “Drug Abuse and Alcoholism”
Six
debates for Drug Abuse and Alcoholism were organised by the Romani Women's
Organization "DAJA", member of the ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre
Kumanovo in the cities of Kochani, Shtip, Kavadarci, Prilep, Kumanovo and
Veles.
The aim of the debates, were participants were Roma youth is to raise the
awareness about the consequences of the drug and alcohol abuse. Lecturer on
the open forum was Marjan Mladenovski, Coordinator Nurija Jumerovska and
Assistant Alisa Teirovska.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
July 01
Romani Women's Organization "DAJA" – Kumanovo
Open Forums “Breast Cancer”
he Romani
Women's Organization "DAJA", member of the ECMI Regional NGO Resource Centre
Kumanovo have organised 6 Open Forums for Breast Cancer in the cities of
Kochani, Kavadarci, Prilep, Shtip , Kumanovo and Veles. Their aim is to
contribute to the prevention of the breast cancer among the Roma Women
through recognizing the symptoms and regular examination.
Lecturer on the open forum was Dr. Lidija Jovancevska, coordinator Nurija
Jumerovska and assistant Alisa Teirovska.
E-mail:
ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk