Newsroom
OSCE Mission to Skopje helps students strengthen inter-ethnic dialogue
SKOPJE 22 October 2007
SKOPJE, 22 October 2007 - Strengthening inter-ethnic dialogue and building confidence among seventy students of different ethnic background from four secondary schools is the aim of a project launched in Kumanovo today.
It follows a study conducted by the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities which identified the need to increase inter-ethnic interaction in the educational system. The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and Spain's Ministry of Education supported the project initiated by the local NGO Macedonian Civic Education Centre in co-operation with the schools' management.
As part of the project, students will meet, socialize, and get to know each other better. This will help improve inter-ethnic relations among secondary school students and the wider community.
"We hope that young people will learn more about different cultures, conflict prevention, tolerance and cultural sensitivity. During their field trips to Skopje the students will learn more about the multi-ethnic culture and history of the city and how governmental institutions function," said Alenka Verbole, Education Development Co-ordinator within OSCE Mission.
Loreta Georgieva, Executive Director of the Macedonian Civic Education Centre, added: "We believe that teachers and students from these schools will gain skills to better communicate, co-operate and live together, to understand the benefits of multi-ethnic communities."
It follows a study conducted by the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities which identified the need to increase inter-ethnic interaction in the educational system. The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and Spain's Ministry of Education supported the project initiated by the local NGO Macedonian Civic Education Centre in co-operation with the schools' management.
As part of the project, students will meet, socialize, and get to know each other better. This will help improve inter-ethnic relations among secondary school students and the wider community.
"We hope that young people will learn more about different cultures, conflict prevention, tolerance and cultural sensitivity. During their field trips to Skopje the students will learn more about the multi-ethnic culture and history of the city and how governmental institutions function," said Alenka Verbole, Education Development Co-ordinator within OSCE Mission.
Loreta Georgieva, Executive Director of the Macedonian Civic Education Centre, added: "We believe that teachers and students from these schools will gain skills to better communicate, co-operate and live together, to understand the benefits of multi-ethnic communities."