Workshops
POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE YOUNG POLITICIANS IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
(WORKSHOPS)
20. 12.2011, Skopje
The Ohrid Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs as a part of the programme “Youth Political Dialogue” organized workshops where young politicians from 14 political parties worked in mixed groups on creating mutual initiatives aiming to increase the dialogue, raise awareness for certain segments in the society and work for the overall prosperity of the young people in Republic of Macedonia.
These workshops organized by the Ohrid Institute are part of the programme of the Ohrid Institute concerning the development of the political dialogue among the future leaders of Republic of Macedonia. In the past two years, the Ohrid Institute has actively worked on the development of this segment of the society and will continue to work on creation of an European platform for the young politicians.
Although the young politicians are coming from different ethnic, political and ideological backgrounds, they managed to find common ground in identifying the problems with which the young people in Republic of Macedonia are faced. The identification of the common problems and creating mutual solutions is really significant and it is proof of the success of this workshop.
The young politicians were given space to choose their own target group, executed activities, the idea and the development of the idea. During the process of preparing the project, the young politicians were coordinated by experts who answered their questions and helped them in the process of the development of the idea.
At the end of the day, each group briefly presented the idea and the plan for realization of the composed project proposal. The feedback from the young politicians was that it was their pleasure to participate in these kinds of projects, that these events are needed to help raise awareness among young people, that the program is great learning experience and that this was another positive experience for them as young people. Through the workshops, the young leaders had the possibility to develop new skills, learn about analysis of the problems and their solutions.
The parties which participated the workshops were: VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, SPM, DUI, DPA, Democratic Right, Democratic Union, DOM, DLBM, DPTM, DPSM, VMRO-NP, NSDP and OPE.
The Ohrid Institute would like to extend its gratitude to all parties included for their participation and commitment at the workshops as well as at the overall program of the Ohrid Institute. All parties equally contributed to the development of the projects.
In the period to come, the Ohrid Institute will examine the projects and will present them in the public. The projects will be also presented at the webpage of the program www.youthpoliticaldialogue.mk.
The overall idea of the Ohrid Institute is to lobby these mutual activities and to help in their realization. Pictures from the workshops here...
Training Materials
After few months exhausting preparation the Ohrid Institute finalized the project Youth political dialogue among the young politicians in Macedonia. Young politicians of 18 political parties in Macedonia completely supported the idea and participated professionally.
The three big forums were held in Skopje, elaborating different topics focusing on the political dialogue, the political culture, mutual initiatives and the communication among the young politicians from different political parties. More than 160 young participants participated at the forums and tried to find mutual language to discuss the given topics. The youth was exceptionally constructive, showed need for this kind of dialogue and wish for discussion and concrete initiatives. After the elaboration of the conclusion the Ohrid Institute will post them at the official webpage of the project www.youthpoliticaldialogue.mk and at the official webpage of the Institute. The PHOTOS of the events you can find them here...
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About the Project
The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs, in 2007 – 2009 implemented the project Political Dialogue 2007– all party forums on the topic: “Macedonia on the Doorstep of EU and NATO - Joint Responsibility of all Political Parties”. Namely, the OHRID Institute established cooperation with all leaders of the political parties, as well as with the members of the parties, and held a number of forums on the local and regional level as well. In 2009, in cooperation with the OSCE Mission, the OHRID Institute implemented the pre-election project “Political Awareness and Party Responsibility.” The Project gathered the political leaders to discuss on issues which represented an obstacle for conveying a democratic campaign and democratic elections. The aim of the project was enhancing the behavior of the activists during election periods. Within the project, many meetings and forums were held in the municipalities that were pointed as conflict points in the course of the last elections. Namely, this project turned out to be a quite successful one, which can be seen in the peacefully held elections, without any serious conflicts and events.
The members of all parties that were part of these two projects of the OHRID Institute were more than interested and gave a substantial contribution to the debates and the initialized discussions.
On the initiative of the youth of the political parties who took part in these forums, the OHRID Institute is starting a project which will focus on the youth strictly from the political parties and their contribution to the political debate.
Through this project, the OHRID Institute will work with the youth from all political parties for enhancing the communication between the young activists on the local level, for raising consciousness for the position of the other parties and their members for the purpose of achieving the overall aims for the state, as well as for its citizens. For the first time, the project will gather young people from different ideological and ethnical backgrounds to work together on their common interests and will enable a discussion forum where their voice shall be heard. National and international experts will take part in the forums, as well as representatives of the international foundations and embassies in the Republic of Macedonia.
The Republic of Macedonia is a multiethnic society in which unfortunately there are still social and political divisions among the young people regarding ethnical origin, language, religion and ideology. Although the young leaders have a great intellectual capacity in order to be included in political debates on an inter-party level and thus enhance democracy in the country, their importance and potential is rarely taken into consideration by the experienced party leaders. We believe that the young politicians have a lot to say, they can have mutual cooperation and make a foundation for further mutual projects, intercommunication for enhancing the political climate and democracy in the Republic of Macedonia.
We are convinced that there is initiative within young people and a need for these discussions and consultations which will improve the overall political dialogue in Republic of Macedonia. The topics that will be elaborated shall be in regard to the common interests, ideas and initiatives of the young leaders, as well as the role and responsibility of the young people in the political parties on the road to EU and NATO integrations, the action of the young people in the political sphere, their ideas and attitudes regarding the overall development of the political system and the current events, and also whether the local branches are strong enough to give their own contribution to these events. Namely, these debates will stimulate young leaders to take the political culture on a new level and to establish a mutual language regarding issues of national interest, thus showing maturity, leadership and preparedness to participate in the creation of the state policies.
