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News and Events Archive 2005 News and Events 2005 ArchiveLiving Heritage Program
Promotion of the Book “Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages”
Book “Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages (spiritual and material culture)” was promoted on December 24th, 2005 in the Monastery St. Anastasie and St. Mary in the village Lesok. The book is part of the project “Young People and Stories from Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages” implemented by association “Lesok” and neighbourhood unit Lesok.
The project is supported by FOSIM within the Living Heritage Program. Project objective is decreasing of the migration and developing closer ties between the youth from different ethnic background through getting familiar with the cultural heritage. Part of the activities was establishing of Youth Creative Centre and equipping it with computers and other equipment. The centre should present space where young people can cooperate, can crate cultural scheme and can develop web site for this region.
| | | | Museum of Macedonia
Cultural Heritage, Children and the Water
Exhibition of works of 20 children at the age of 12 to 15 years from the primary school Jane Sandanski in Skopje that participated in the project “Inclusion of Roma minority in the museums educational activities” on the topic “Connection of the cultural heritage with the water” was opened on December 21st, 2005 in the Museum of Macedonia.
The project was implemented by the Museum in cooperation with the school and financially supported by FOSIM. Project objective is to contribute towards development of new museum audience and inclusion of museum institutions in modern flows.
Children attended interactive lectures for water in the ancient settlements, aqueducts and roman thermals, fortress and water, old bridges and amams (Turkish baths), and the water in rural areas, taps and wells. After each lecture the children were incited to make creative reproduction of the chosen monument. Their works were exhibit in the Museum of Macedonia. At the opening the Museum of Macedonia awarded honorary award to FOSIM.
| | | | | | | | Research
Technical Conditions and Potentials of the Broadcasting Activity in Macedonia
On 22th December, 2005 the results from the research on the technical conditions and potentials of the broadcasting development activity from the aspect of broadcasters, providers and audience were presented to the media society and the wider public.
This research is supported by OSCE and by FOSIM in partnership with Media Development Center (MDC). The research was conducted by the research agency SMMRI in October and November, 2005.
The research is one of the three that are conducted as part of the preparation basis for creating the National Strategy for Broadcasting Development. The other two current researches are: Content Need of the Audience and Capacity for Media Market Economics.
Click here to view the results in Power Point format.
| | | | FOSIM at NGO Fair 2005
Presentations, forum, stand presentations
In the realms of NGO Fair 2005 that took place from 9th to 11th of December 2005 at the Skopje Fair), Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia presented itself with stand and several events. FOSIM’s stand was dedicated to the two key topics: support of the euro-integration process, and the local democracy and local development. Afrer the ceremonial opening of the NGO Fair, Macedonian president Mr. Branko Crvenkovski and Mr. Ervan Fuere, the head of the EC Delegation in Macedonia visited the FOSIM’s stand.
During the NGO Fair, FOSIM organised several events: the forum “Whether and how NGO sector can become partner of the local governance? (successful practices, opportunities, challenges…) in co-organisation with ZELS; presentation and discussion about the project “Exploring the Otherness”, as well as presentation of the new FOSIM’s projects and programmes and promotion of the new FOSIM’s publications.
| | | | | | | | Youth Entrepreneurial Service Project
Entrepreneurship Trainings
Applying for for attending entrepreneurship trainings is opened within the Youth Entrepreneurial Service project implemented by FOSIM and SINTEF. CS Global, Skopje, will conduct the trainings. Trainings objective is young entrepreneurs to acquire skills for commencing their own business.
Applications are to be submitted by December 26th, 2005 and application form can be downloaded from the FOSIM and YES websites. Please, visit the YEF website and read the leaflet for more details about the project.
| | | | FOSIM Campaign
Europe Now!
Billboards with the symbol of windlass and the slogan “Europe Now!” were disseminated to the whole territory of the Republic of Macedonia on the day when the Summit of EU leaders started in Brussels. The decision for awarding candidate-country status for EU membership to the Republic of Macedonia is expected to be reached at the Summit.
The windlass and the slogan “Europe Now!” send clear message – Macedonia in Europe, through synergy of several small sails connected in one joint base. Several thousands windlasses were in the hands of the citizens that visited the NGO fair in Skopje.
“Europe Now!” is a campaign conducted by FOSIM as follow up of the campaign “Europe - Now or Never” aiming to support the Macedonian integration in the EU. Apart from the billboards (11 in Skopje, one in Prilep, Shtip, Ohrid, Tetovo, Kumanovo, and one billboard on the road to Serbia) the campaign encompasses postcards, t-shirts and other advertising material. | | | | | | | | Bitola
Youth Cultural Centre Facility Opened
By cutting red ribbon FOSIM’s executive director Mr. Vladimir Milcin opened the Youth Cultural Centre facility in Bitola on December 13th, 2005. the Centre is located in old house, protected monument of culture, on Samoilova street. The house gas been completely restored with support of the Living Heritage Programme implemented by FOSIM and King Baudouin Foundation from Belgium. In the total budget for this project, King Baudouin Foundation provided $40.000 and FOSIM provided $42.000 for the period between 2001 and 2005. it is the biggest project of the Living Heritage Programme.
With the facility Bitola has gained Cultural Centre for the youth with the capacities for organising workshops (computer and language courses) and working with media, hall for meetings, Concerts, promotions, debates and other events. Honorary Awards were awarded to FOSIM and King Baudouin Foundation by the Youth Cultural Centre, association that has implemented the project.
| | | | Foundation Metamorphosis
Set of Public Panel Debates on Information Society
Foundation Metamorphosis with the support of the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia, in the realms of the project National Strategy for development of Information Society organises series of public panel debates with objective of conveying knowledge of many current topics of the sphere of information society.
Public panel debates will take place in Skopje and the schedule is the following:
12.12.2005 ICT for more efficient local self-governments (in the realms of NGO Fair)
23.12.2005 Increasing internet penetration in Macedonia
27.02.2006 Blogging for democracy and development
09.03.2006 Liberalisation of telecommunication market as precondition for cheap and quality internet access
16.03.2006 Indicators and methodologies for information society development level
Public panel debates follows the conference “iMacedonia for growth and development, too” held on September 29th, 2005 on which the National Strategy for development of Information Society of Republic of Macedonia was promoted.
The objective of the public panel debates is to increase civil participation in implementation and evaluation process of the National Strategy. The travel expenses for the members of the civic organizations from other municipalities interested in participation in the public debates will be covered in the amount equal to one return-trip public bus ticket.
People interested in participation in public debates can obtain more information via e-mail, on the e-mail address info@metamorphosis.org.mk. | | | | | | | | Economic forum
Improving the Municipality Budget Management
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia in cooperation with the Center for economic analyses organised Economic forum on “Improving the municipality budget management” on November 16th and 17th, 2005. The Forum is a follow-up of the issues addressed at the workshop “Measuring the fiscal capacity of the LSG units in the Republic of Macedonia” held in Skopje on February 24th and 25th, 2005. It is dedicated to the decentralisation process since it deals with one of the biggest system reforms in the latest history of the independent Republic of Macedonia.
Topic of the second economic forum is to identify key reforms in local level budgeting, and through constructive debate to offer concrete recommendations to the local administration representatives. Target group of the event encompasses higher representatives of the local governments (mayors and council presidents), though the participation of civil servants qualified to work in the sphere of financial management or determining and payment of local taxes is not excluded. | | | | In Negotino
8th of November Award for NGO Support Center
With the decision of the Council of the municipality Negotino NGO Support Center was awarded with the 8th of November Award – the highest annual award for contribution to the municipality. The award will be given to the NGO support center coordinators, Ms. Eleonora Nastova Dimova and Ms. Roza Janevska at the ceremonial session of local self-government on November 8th, 2005. NGO Support Center is supported by FOSIM and European Agency for Reconstruction. | | | | | | | | In Veles
NGO Center
On the occasion of 9th of November, Council of the municipality Veles and NGO Support Center Veles organize ceremonial opening of NGO Center. Mr. Ace Kocevski, mayor of Veles, representative of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Ms. Slobodanka Markovska, president of the FOSIM’s Executive board will address the audience. NGO Support Center (supported by FOSIM and SDC) and seven NGO from Veles will have their premises in the Center. Restoration and equipment for the premises was supported by FOSIM, SDC and municipality Veles. | | | | Foundation Metamorphosis Organised
Conference e-Society.Mk
In the Holiday Inn hotel in Skopje yesterday Foundation Metamorphosis with the support of the OSCE Spillover Mission to Skopje organized the conference “e-Society.Mk”. More than 150 people attended the conference. Numerous domestic and foreign experts addressed the audience on topics relevant to the development of information society in Macedonia. Opening address was delivered by Mr. Xhemali Mehazi, Minister of Transport and Communications of Republic of Macedonia. HE Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of OSCE Spillover Mission to Skopje, Dr. Roland Bless, Senior Adviser at Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Jani Makraduli, President of the Committee for Information Technology of the Government of RM welcomed the audience.
Conference e-Society.Mk is first part of the project that aims to raise awareness about advantages of new information society. Public panel discussions in Ohrid, Skopje, Bitola, and Tetovo follow the conference. Please visit www.e-society.org.mk for detailed information about the conference.
All presentations will be available on Foundation Metamorphosis web site and e-Society.Mk web site. | | | | | | | | Local Administration Program
New Legal Framework at Local Level
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) and the Association of the units of local self-government of the Republic of Macedonia (ZELS) implement the New Legal Framework at Local Level project. The objective of the project is to contribute towards more efficient, more transparent, and open process of decentralization by creating new Statute of Municipalities and new Rules of Procedure.
After the meetings the working group for developing of the documents and the commission for administrative issues at ZELS synchronized the proposals and remarks considering the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and adopted synchronized text.
Yet, in order to prepare the text that will include the municipalities’ opinions and remarks FOSIM and ZELS organize regional panel discussions (from October 28 to November 5, 2005). All mayors and presidents of the municipalities’ councils are invited to participate.
Download the materials:
Regional Panel Discussions Schedule (.pdf, 154KB)
Draft Agenda (.pdf, 118KB)
Statute (.pdf, 211KB
Rules of Procedure (.pdf, 357KB) | | | | Promotions in Shtip, Veles, Gostivar, Prilep and Kichevo
Toolkit for Mayors and Municipality Council Members
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia through NGO support centres in Shtip, Veles and Gostivar organised regional promotion of the Toolkit for mayors and municipality council members in the Republic of Macedonia. The toolkit is published by Association of the units of local-self-government of the Republic of Macedonia in cooperation with Organisation OSCE spillover monitor mission to Skopje.
Promotion in Shtip was held on October 4, 2005 followed by panel discussion on Regional cooperation for cleaner environment. Panel discussion on Transparency and civic inclusion in the decision making process followed the promotion in Gostivar on October 3. The promotion in Veles was held on October 12 and panel discussion on More efficient decentralization in education followed the promotion. The promotion in Prilep was held on 30th of September, 2005 followed by panel discussion on “Ways of financing of ZELS in the context of decentralisation process”. In Kichevo the promotion and panel discussion on “Urban and physical planning in the decentralisation process” were held on September 27th, 2005. Mayors and municipality council members of number of local communities in this region attended the events. | | | | | | | | Institute for Social, Political and Legal Research
Honorary Award for FOSIM
19.10.2005
On the occasion of the 40 years anniversary Institute for Social, Political and Legal Research awarded honorary award to FOSIM for its contribution to development of the Institute.
| | | | October 13-15, 2005 in Skopje
International Conference Living Heritage
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia on behalf of the Living Heritage Network hosted the international conference Living Heritage – Learning from Innovative Practices in Culture and Community Development in South East Europe. The conference took place in Skopje, on October 13-15, 2005. Ms. Radmila Shekjerinska, vice-president of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Donato Kiarini, the chief of the delegation of the European Commission in Skopje, Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director, and Mr. Fabrice de Kerchove, King Baudouin Foundation addressed the audience. Cultural institutions representatives from France, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria participated in the conference.
Living Heritage Programme supports initiatives aiming at protection, use and presentation of cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable community development. International conference is in the realms of activities supported by European Commission’s Culture 2000 Programme. It presents an opportunity to stress the contribution of Living Heritage Programme and tends to offer sharing experience and knowledge in the areas of community development and culture. | | | | | | | | Mrzenski Rid, Gevgelija
Another Gathering at the Monument of Freedom
On October 10, 2005 citizens of Gevgelija and their guests celebrated the closing manifestation of the project within which the Monument of Freedom has been dislocated from Vardarski Rid to Mrzenski Rid. The Monument, created by the academy artist Jordan Grabul, will remain a site for gathering, organizing celebrations and manifestations. Dislocation of the monument is supported by the FOSIM's Living Heritage Programme. | | | | Conference “e-Society.Mk”
October 20, 2005, Skopje
Foundation Metamorphosis, with the support of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, organises the conference “e-Society.Mk”, aiming to transfer knowledge about several current information society issues. The Conference will take place on October 20, 2005 in the Holliday Inn Hotel in Skopje.
The conference will cover the following topics:
• e-government
• e-business
• e-education
• copyrights and privacy
• cyber-crime
• freedom of the media on the internet
In order to facilitate further civic participation in the development of the e-society, public panel discussions in Ohrid, Skopje, Bitola, and Tetovo will follow the conference.
Individuals and organisations interested in participation in the Conference and the panel discussions can obtain more information via the e-mail address info@metamorphosis.org.mk.
Download the draft agenda for the Conference (PDF, 98 KB) | | | | | | | | Promotion of Media Mirror Project
On October 3, 2005 the report of the Qualitative Media Monitoring: Media Mirror was promoted in the NGO-Info Center. The project objective is to show whether, how and to what extent the media complies with professional standards and criteria in informing the public as well as the manner they follow and interpret crucial social processes and events.
Six daily newspapers and six state-wide TV stations are being monitored: Dnevnik, Utrinski vesnik, Vest, Vecer, Vreme, Fakti, TV A1, TV Sitel, TV Kanal 5, TV Telma, MTV 1, MTV 2-albanian language department. The prime time news of the TV stations and the informative and commentary parts of the newspapers are being monitored. Media Mirror is NGO-Info Center project and financed by FOSIM, Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights and the Open Society Institute - Network Media Program, Budapest.
Starting from October, 2005 monthly reports will be issued. They will be published and available to the public in printed and electronic version.
| | | | Discussion about Draft Amendments on the Constitution
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, Ministry of Justice, Association for Constitutional Law in the Republic of Macedonia organised expert discussion about the draft-amendments on the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The discussion will take place in the Holliday Inn hotel (Millennium 1 Hall) on September 29, 2005 (Thursday) starting at 08:30. Mrs. Meri Mladenovska-Gjorgjievska, Macedonian Minister of Justice, addressed the participants. Eminent Macedonian and foreign experts and university professors of constitutional, civil and criminal law participated in the discussion and Mr. Svetomir Shkaric Ph.D. provide an overview of the amendments.
| | | | | | | | Seminar
Philanthropy and sponsorship in culture
International seminar on “Philanthropy and sponsorship in culture: legislation and practices in France and Macedonia" was organised by the French Cultural Centre in Skopje on September 28, 2005. Mr. Francoise Ellenbach from the French Ministry for culture and communication was the guest of the seminar and he talked about the experiences in France, while the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Finance, representatives of the business sector, cultural institutions and experts talked about situation in Macedonia.
Mrs. Melpomeni Korneti, deputy minister of culture, her Excellency Mrs. Véronique Bujon-Barre, French ambassador in Macedonia and Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director addressed the audience.
| | | | iMacedonia Conference
ICT for growth and employment
Committee for Information Technology within the Government of the Republic of Macedonia organises iMacedonia conference in Skopje, on September 28, 2005. President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski is the patron of the conference. The conference is financially supported by FOSIM and UNDP.
The Conference will promote recently adopted National Policy and Strategy for Information Society as well as the Action Plan. How ICT can contribute towards Macedonian integration to EU and how information society can support economic growth and employment will be among the conference topics.
Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Xhemali Mehazi, minister for transport and communications, Mrs. Joan Pirce, European Commission councilor, Mr. Frode Mauring, UNDP representative in Macedonia, and Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director will address the audience. | | | | | | | | In Lesnovo
Promotion of the Landscaped Location Borja
On September 21, 2005 the inhabitants of Lesnovo, the fraternity within the “Saint Gavril Lesnovski” monastery, the association “Zletovica” from Probishtip and Probishtip municipality organised gathering for promotion of the landscaped location Borja situated near the monastery. At the traditional gathering on the occasion of the religious holiday Mary’s Birth a mayor of Probishtip municipality addressed the people, a liturgy was organised in the monastery and the ensemble Veseli Penzioneri (Marry Pensioners) had a show. Within the FOSIM's Living Heritage Programme the location is landscaped with grass, flowers, benches, little boxes and a booklet for Lesnovo village, its surroundings and the monastery “Saint Gavril Lesnovski” is published. | | | | By the Lokuv Lake
Picnic, Mountaineering and Swimming
On September 17, 2005 a group of enthusiasts together with the villagers of Rostushe climb up to the glacier Lake Lokuv on Deshat Mountain. The bravest were swimming in the lake while the others were enjoying in the picnic and beautiful landscape. The picnic was organised by the association Rekanski Biser and local villagers as final manifestation of the project implemented through the Living Heritage Programme. Within this project the footpath to the lake has been demarked; benches, baskets, road signs, and information plates have been placed, and the booklet has been published. The villagers hope that Lokuv Lake will be among the key factors for local development of Rostushe. | | | | | | | | NGO Rekanski Biser
Picnic by the Lokuv Lake
NGO Rekanski Biser and villagers from Rostushe organise picnic by the glacier Lake Lokuv on Deshat Mountain on September 17, 2005. The picnic is organised at the occasion of ending of the project supported by the FOSIM’s Living Heritage Programme. Within this project the footpath to the lake has been demarked; benches, baskets, road signs, and information plates have been placed, and the booklet has been published. Participants will gather together in Rostushe at 10 o’clock and will walk for 2 hours to the Lake Lokuv. | | | | Promotion
Multiculturalism in Macedonia: an Emerging Model
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia promote the book Multiculturalism in Macedonia: an emerging model in the Daut Pashin Amam in Skopje, on September 14, 2005.
The book was promoted by Mr. Ljupcho Jordanovski Ph.D., President of the Macedonian Parliament and Ms. Emilija Simoska Ph.D., professor at the Institute for social, political and legal research, while Ivan Dodovski M.A., FOSIM's Culture and communication program director and editor of the book talked about the content.
The book is a collection of texts and discussions from the international expert forum on this topic held in Skopje on November 18, 2004 published in Macedonian and English. It is among few books published in Macedonia that raises the issues for implementing of the new Macedonian political concept.
| | | | | | | | Foundation Metamorphosis
Translation Marathon for Open Source Software Localisation
Next weekend, on September 16, 17 and 18 Foundation Metamorphosis and Free Software Macedonia organise translation marathon for OpenOffice.org 2.0 localisation that would last for 54 hours in the premises of the Foundation Metamorphosis.
For more information visit Free Software Macedonia web site and please fill in the application form for the marathon. | | | | In the cultural centre Tochka
Heritage from Dzvegor
From September 9 to September 11, 2005 a sale exhibition of traditional products from the village Dzvegor near Delchevo was held in the cultural centre Tochka in Skopje. The exhibition is part of the project implemented by the Iskon association from Dzvegor in the realms of the Living Heritage Programme. Villagers from Dzvegor presented themselves with the traditional music instruments (pipe, kemene), beads jewellery and photos from the traditional carnival Surva. | | | | | | | | Public Administration Reform Program
Project: New Legal Framework on Local Level
FOSIM and ZELS launch the implementation of the “New Legal Framework on Local Level” project that should contribute to more efficient, transparent and open decentralisation process of through creating new draft Statute of the Municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia.
For that cause working group was formed with the following members: (1) Mr. Plamen Georgievski, State secretary in the Ministry of local self-governance; (2) Mr. Borche Davitkovski, Faculty of Law; (3) Viktor Arnaudovski, ZELS; (4) Trifun Trifunovski, President of the Council of the municipality Karposh; (5) Branko Trajchevski, Secretary at the Secretariat of regulations of the City of Skopje; (6) Kire Buzliev, President of the Council of the municipality Gazi Baba; (7) Imer Selmani, Mayor of the municipality Saraj, and (8) Izet Mexheti, Mayor of the municipality Chair.
On the first meeting held on July 7, 2005 the dynamics of preparation of the new draft Statute of the Municipalities was determined. Preparation process encompasses: draft Statute, prepared by the Working Group by the August 20, 2005, (2) working meeting of the Working Group and the ZELS’s Normative Commission by September 10, 2005, (3) consulting process of the draft Statute on forums with all the mayors and presidents of the councils, from September 10, 2005 to September 20, 2005, and (4) proposal to the municipalities for adoption of the new draft Statute by September 25, 2005.
For the new draft Statute to be useful for the municipalities that have already reached a Decision to alter the Statute, all the mayors and presidents of the councils received note with the undertaken activities and their dynamics.
| | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Budget for Three More Years
17.08.2005/ United States Agency for International Development (USAID) granted $1.701.108 to FOSIM for continuation of the Creative teaching and learning project in the time period from September 1, 2005 to September 1, 2008. The project would be conducted in cooperation with the faculties that train teachers through curricula innovation support, trainings on application of interactive teaching methods, application of IT in teaching process, as well as equipping and renovation of facilities. Faculties would have e-access to renown international issues, expert literature, newspapers, magazines etc. the Project should enhance the quality of educational services, facilities and resources for the students-future teachers. | | | | | | | | Ministry of Justice and FOSIM
Conference on Judicial System Reforms
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia in cooperation with the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia organises two-day conference on ‘Judicial System Reforms in the Republic of Macedonia’. The conference will be held from 19 to 20 of July, 2005 in hotel Metropol, Ohrid.
The objective of the conference is to present and to discuss the implementation of the judicial system reform strategy so far. Apart from the first six-month report for implementation of the strategy, draft amendments on the Constitution, Law on Execution, Law on court procedure, Law on judges and public prosecutors academy, law on witness protection and Law on executing sanctions are going to be presented and discussed during the conference.
| | | | Cultural Centre Tocka
On Friday, July 8th 2005, selling exhibition of the products created by the Berovo’s blacksmiths was open in the cultural centre Tochka in Skopje. The audience was addressed by Slavica Janeshlieva, an artist who helped with the design of the products, and Ramche Kundevski, one of the young apprentices who were trained by elder blacksmiths within the project “Golden hands of blacksmiths”. The project was implemented by the association Romanela from the town of Berovo, eastern Macedonia, with the support of the Living Heritage program of FOSIM.
The exhibition will be open during the weekend July 8 -10, 2005, between 9 and 21 hours. | | | | | | | | NGO Support Centers
73 Grants for Local Projects Signed
On July 5, 2005 in the Club of Parliamentarians in Skopje, the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia organised press conference on the occasion of signing 73 grants for NGO projects aimed at resolving priority problems and needs on local communities.
Projects will be implemented by NGOs located in the regions covered by the NGO support centers in Debar, Delcevo, Kratovo, Negotino, Strumica, Gevgelija, Struga and Resen. At the competition announced 177 project-proposals were submitted, out of which 73 were selected. Total budget of 155.500 euros is provided by FOSIM. Most of the projects (13) are in the sphere of environment, followed by the projects on education, decentralisation, agriculture and stockbreeding, and culture and arts. Associations will be acting in the spheres of self-employment, multiculturalism, etc.
NGO support centers in eight Macedonian towns are founded and supported by FOSIM and European Agency for Reconstruction in the realms of the ‘Civil Society Support – NGO Strengthening: NGO Support Centers in Socially and Economically Deprived Regions of Macedonia’ project.
Visit www.nvocentri.org.mk | | | | Law Program
Project: Free access to public information on local level
Regional trainings on raising awareness among municipality officials and NGOs for rights and obligations emerging from the concept of free access to public information are completed.
First training held in Strumica from 10th to 12th of June, 2005 attended participants of the local self-government and local NGOs from Delchevo, Kochani, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, Zrnovci, Pehchevo, Karbinci, Shtip, Radovish, Berovo, Negotino, Konche, Vasilevo, Bosilovo, Novo Selo, Demir Kapija, Kavadarci, Strumica, Valandovo, Gevgelija, Dojran and Bogdanci.
Second training held in Bitola from 17th to 19th of June, 2005 attended participants from the following municipalities: Bitola, Ohrid, Vevchani, Debarca, Demir Hisar, Mogila, Novaci, Plasnica, Krushevo, Krivigashtani, Prilep, Dolneni, Chashka, Gradsko, Veles and Lozovo, and the training in Ohrid from 1st to 3th of July, 2005 attended participants from Probishtip, Sveti Nikole, Lipkovo, Chucher Sandevo, Ilinden, Gazi Baba, Gjorche Petrov, Karposh, Chair, Aerodrom, Kisela Voda, City of Skopje, Jegunovce, Saraj, Sopishte, Zelenikovo, Tearce, Bogovinje, Brvenica, Makedonski Brod, Gostivar, Zajas, Oslomej, Kichevo, Kavadarci and Struga.
Lectures on the trainings were delivered by: Mr. Plamen Georgievski, Ministry of Local Self-government, Ms. Zagorka Tnokovska, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Branko Trajchevski, the City of Skopje – regulations secretariat, Mr. Borche Davitkovski, Ph.D., Faculty of Law, and Ms. Renata Treneska Deskovska, Ph.D., Faculty of Law.
The trainings were held in the realms of the Free access to public information on local level Project implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and the Local Self-government Association.
| | | | | | | | Meeting with George Soros
One of the best foundations in the Network
Four members of FOSIM’s Executive Board, Mrs. Mabera Kamberi, Mrs. Gordana Duvnjak, Mr. Nikola Tupanchevski and Mr. Mersel Biljali met George Soros at the Orientation Seminar for new executive board members in the realms of Soros Foundation Network held in Budapest form 15th to 17th of June, 2005.
In the presence of about 20 delegations from the region, Mr. Soros said that he consider FOSIM one of the best foundations in the Network that has played key role in the democratic development of Macedonia. At that point he stressed the role of the FOSIM’s executive director, Mr. Milcin, as dedicated and engaged in building open society in Macedonia. He added that Macedonia went through hard period full of frustrations, but its right path is the path towards European Union.
| | | | CSOs, organisations, and individuals initiative
Macedonian network for reduction of harm caused by drug abuse
On June 22, 2005, 13 civil society organisations, a health organization, two newly-formed teams for damage decrease and four individuals formed the Macedonian network for reduction of harm caused by drug abuse. Network’s objectives are stimulating networking and cooperation, information flow, development of the present and newly-formed programmes for harm reduction, their involvement in creation and implementation of local and national policies and strategies, increasing lobbying capacities and greater participation of the civil society organisations dealing with the harm reduction caused by drug abuse in the decision making and defining policy processes in the Republic of Macedonia.
Foundation of the network is supported by Internàtionàl Hàrm Reduction Development Program and the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia. | | | | | | | | FOSIM’s Executive Board
Celebration on the Occasion of Mr. Saso Klekovski Leaving
At the FOSIM’s Retreat held in Krusevo from 24th to 26 of June, 2005, FOSIM’s employees and Executive Board members organized celebration on the occasion of Mr. Saso Klekovski leaving from the function Executive Board member.
Ms. Slobodanka Markovska, President of the FOSIM’s Executive Board thanked Mr. Klekovski for the fruitful cooperation, and his contribution in FOSIM’s affirmation and development in the past three years. Mr. Klekovski said that the cooperation will not be stopped considering his professional orientation towards civil sector.
| | | | Students for Themselves
KICK! The corruption in higher education
35% of the students do not believe in the regularity of the enrolment at the faculties, and 30% things that signatures can be obtain by using connections and friends. Macedonian students “kick” such things. The campaign named “Kick! For the corruption in higher education” is conducted by the Students for Themselves Group, headed by the Youth Educational Forum with the support of several organizations. FOSIM is among organizations that support the campaign.
In the realms of the campaign the flyers have been printed and the web site www.studentitezasebe.org.mk has been redesigned. The campaign is part of the joint project of the Southeastern Network for anticorruption in higher education.
| | | | | | | | Associations Rekanski Biser and Bistra
Honorary Award for FOSIM
“For great contribution to the development of the Reka region in the sphere of promotion of cultural values, customs and tradition,” is stated in the explanation for the honorary award that Youth Environmental Centre Rekanski Biser and Civil Society Association Bistra form Rostushe awarded to FOSIM. Honorary award is given to FOSIM in the realms of the Reka Cultural Summer, traditional manifestation in held Rostushe and neighbouring villages. For more information, visit www.reka.org.mk. | | | | Culture and Arts Program
Review Report on Museum of Macedonia Presented
On June 16, 2005 in the Museum of Macedonia FOSIM organized press conference for presenting the Review Report for the Museum of Macedonia prepared by Mrs. Barbara Woroncov, expert from Great Britain. Mrs. Woroncov was in Macedonia in April on FOSIM’s invitation. The Review Report shows the grave problems of the Museum – work conditions in the laboratories, no signalization for the visitors, neglected environment, urgent reconstruction of the roof etc. The evaluator proposed series of short- and long-term measures for development of the Museum.
Review report for the Museum of Macedonia >>>>>
| | | | | | | | Public Administration Reform Program
Trainings on public policy-making process
Two-day training on public policy-making process for civil servants at the General Secretariat of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia was held on 13 and 14 June, 2005 in Ohrid. Training objective is supporting the central level policy-making and implementation processes. The training is part of the Strengthening Central Level Policy-Making and Implementation Processes implemented by FOSIM in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and Dutch Institute for Public Administration – ROI, Hague, the Netherlands. | | | | Macedonian Doctors’ Chamber
Honorary Award for FOSIM
On 5 June, 2005 Macedonian Doctors’ Chamber awarded Honorary Award to Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia for joint cooperation and FOSIM’s contribution in enhancing doctors’ profession in the Republic of Macedonia. | | | | | | | | FOSIM and the World Bank
12 Grants for the Decade of Roma Inclusion Signed
On June 13, 2005, Ms. Sandra Bloemenkamp, World Bank’s Country Manager for Macedonia and Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director signed project grants with the representatives of 12 Macedonian NGOs for public promotion of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015.
The projects were chosen from 44 submitted projects on the public open competition announced in March, 2005. Funds are provided by the World Bank and FOSIM. Through these projects the public will obtain more information about the Decade. In addition, there are going to be workshops, round tables, discussions and concrete recommendations on making Decade action plans operational, developing cooperation between NGOs, and between NGOs and local/central governments in Macedonia. | | | | YEF Forum
Corruption in higher education
On June 9, 2005 in the premises of the Faculty of Law, Skopje, Youth Educational Forum (YEF) organized forum on “Corruption in higher education – situation, types of corruption and need of fighting corruption”. Introductory speeches were given by Mr. Gjorgji Martinovski, Rector of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Dr. Nikola Tupanchevski, professor at the Faculty of Law, Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director and Mr. Zoran Popovski by the Ministry of education and science.
The Forum was part of the project “Anticorruption in higher society” initiated by FOSIM and the YEF continued the implementation with financial support provided by Open Society Institute – Budapest.
The Forum provoked great interest among the students, academic public, journalists. YEF announced series of forums related to this topic as well as big international project. | | | | | | | | EC Bank – Bank of the Year Award
Honorary Award for FOSIM
Export & Credit Bank, Inc., Skopje has been awarded Bank of the Year 2004 Award by Economic Chamber of Macedonia. On that occasion, Mr. Pance Manevski, EC Bank director presented the honorary award to FOSIM’s executive director Mr. Vladimir Milcin for support and cooperation.
“I express my deepest gratitude for your contribution during these years of cooperation. Bank personnel has been working hard and make the bank grow into medium-big bank. It is beyond any doubt that your contribution and the contribution of your highly-esteemed institution have been of great importance for our bank. This joint success of our Institutions obliges us with further efforts to achieve even greater success in the future. Our goal is to become leading medium-big bank,” is stated in the honorary award awarded to FOSIM and to Mr. Milcin.
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and EC Bank cooperated for several years in the reams of FOSIM’s Economic Reform Program. The Program provides credit lines for development of agriculture and small and medium enterprises and for startup businesses. The credits can be used via EC Bank. FOSIM provided support for enhancing the EC Bank capacity for credit lines administration in the areas where there is no personal relevant experience. | | | | Living Heritage Program:
Yuruks presentation in Skopje
From June 1, to June 3, 2005 EM Association from Shtip and FOSIM organize sale exhibition “Presentation of the Yuruks from Plackovica and Lakavica Region” in the Cultural Center Tocka in Skopje. On this exhibition Yuruks, ethnic group whose reach culture is not well known in Macedonia, present themselves with their authentic and picturesque traditional costumes and specific musical instruments, with catalogue of the exhibited objects which are for sale and with records of the customs, settlements and everyday life.
Ms. Elizabeta Konevska, ethnologist at the Museum of Macedonia opened the presentation. Her documentary film “Adak” has been presented at the opening ceremony. Citizens can see the exhibition from 13:00 to 21:00 on June 1, and from 9:30 to 21:00 on June 2 and 3, 2005. Address of the cultural center Tocka is Ilindenska 38 (on the corner of the crossroad near the Government of the Republic of Macedonia).
The manifestation “Presentation of the Yuruks from Plackovica and Lakavica Region” is part of the Vivid world of the Yuruks Project implemented by the EM Association from Shtip in the realms of the Living Heritage program financed by FOSIM. | | | | | | | | Public Administration Reform Program
Workshops for organizational structure and human resources in municipalities
In the realms of the Public Administration Reform Program (Human Resources Management Sub-program) FOSIM conducted trainings on organizational structure and human resources development in all 84 municipalities and the City of Skopje. Trainings were conducted in cooperation with the Civil Servants Agency (CSA), UNDP-EPO, USAID-MDW, ZELS and Ministry of Local Self-government.
Target group was consisted of mayors and head and expert civil servants of each municipality (total 340 participants). Participants prepared Systematization and Job Posts Organization in Municipality Administration Act based on the analyses for job posts needed in accordance with the new jurisdictions and transfer of people, equipment and assets.
| | | | Economy Forum
Measuring the fiscal capacity of the local self-government unit
The economy forum “Measuring the fiscal capacity of the local self-government unit in the Republic of Macedonia” has been organized by FOSIM in Skopje on May 10, 2005. The results of the workshop “Measuring the fiscal capacity of the local self-government unit in the Republic of Macedonia” conducted by FOSIM and the Center of economic analyses, Skopje were presented on the forum, and the methodology of measuring and determining of the municipalities optimal fiscal capacity have been presented to the relevant institutions included in conducting the fiscal decentralization. | | | | | | | | FOSIM, SEI and MCET
Twining Mechanism Training
Twining mechanism training (instrument for conducting EU-financed projects on the principle “best practices” intended for state institutions, conducted on the base of experience exchange between Macedonia and EU member-country) has been held in Struga from May 25 to May 27, 2005. Civil servants from the Government of the Republic of Macedonia working in the departments of justice and internal affairs attended the training. The training was conducted by FOSIM in the realms of Public Administration Reform Program (Twining-Mechanism Training Subprogram) in cooperation with the Sector for European Integration (SEI) and Macedonian Center for European Training (MCET). | | | | Public Administration Reform Program
Project: Monitoring the Decentralization Implementation Process
The first work group meeting for the Project Monitoring the decentralization implementation process was organized in the in the FOSIM’s premises on May 17, 2005 at 13:30. Members of the work group are: Mr. Plamen Georgievski, state secretary in the Ministry of local self-government, Mr. Branko Trajchevski, general secretary of ZELS, Mr. Kjenan Aliu, mayor of municipality Zhelino, Mr. Ace Kocevski, mayor of municipality Veles, and Mr. Goce Todorovski, executive director of the Center of civil initiatives.
The goal of this project is efficient, transparent and open process of implementing the decentralization process through following, reporting and informing the public, monitoring the decentralization process and alarming in the cases of emergency in order to contribute in making the decentralization process beneficial both for the authorities (local and central) and the citizens.
The task of the work group is to identify decentralization’s jurisdictions which implementation will be monitored, to identify the municipalities that will be monitored, to determine the method of selecting persons for monitoring, to participate in developing the methodology of monitoring with international experts, and to organize trainings on monitoring. | | | | | | | | Law Program
New Provisions for Free Access to Public Information on Local Level
On the press-conference organized in the NGO Infocenter premises on May 16, 2005 Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) and the Local Self-Government Association (ZELS) promoted the new provisions on the Law on free access to public information that should be implemented in the municipalities’ Statutes in the beginning of the decentralization.
Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director, Mr. Goran Angelov, president of LSGA and some of the work group members that prepared the provisions Mr. Branko Trajchevski, ZELS’s general secretary and Mr. Borche Davitkovski, Faculty of Law, Skopje informed the journalists.
Development of the unified policy for free access to public information on local level is the main objective of the project Implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information on Local Level.
Digital version of the provisions can be found on the FOSIM’s and ZELS’s web sites. | | | | Best visual and graphic design of a book
“Icons of the Museum of Macedonia” Awarded
“Icons of the Museum of Macedonia” by the co-publishers Museum of Macedonia and Sken Point (designed by Mr. Ladislav Cvetkovski) received the FOSIM’s award for best visual and graphic design of a printed book in 2004. Prof. Dimitar Malidanov announced the award to the journalists, publishers and other guests in the premises of the National and University Library St. Clement of Ohrid on May 13, 2005.
This year 17 books by Macedonian publishers competed for the appreciated award of 1000 US dollars. The jury was consisted of: Mr. Dimitar Malidanov, professor at the Faculty of Arts, Ms. Stanislava Sharovic, designer from Zip-Zap and Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director.
| | | | | | | | FOSIM had visitors from Debar
How can we work here?
Ten high school pupils from Debar together with three teachers visited FOSIM on May 12, 2005. They were interested how the Foundation works, its programs, opportunities for scholarship, and even how they can work in FOSIM. They got books and information materials from the Foundation, as support of the answer that, above all, they have to invest a lot in their education.
The visit was organized by the NGO Support Centre from Debar.
| | | | 9th of May Celebrated in Cooperation with the NGO Centers
Dragons, bikes, masks – for step forward
Feel the atmosphere on the celebration of the 9th of May, the Europe Day in Veles, Debar, Delchevo, Gevgelija, Kichevo, Kratovo, Negotino, Prilep, Resen, Struga, Strumica and Shtip by visiting our photo gallery. Following the motto Step Forward citizens, youth and children above all, in cooperation with the NGO support centers (supported by Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia, European Agency for Reconstruction and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) organized bike races, dragon flying, quiz, drawing, concerts, masquerades…
Photo gallery>>>
| | | | | | | | NGO Support Centers
Celebrating the Europe Day
12 NGO support centers also functioning as EU info points in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in Macedonia are involved in celebration of the Europe Day on May 9.
The following program will be organized in Veles, Debar, Gevgelija, Kichevo, Kratovo, Negotino, Prilep, Resen, Struga, Strumica, Shtip, where the centers are located:
EU day: presentation of the history, structure and institutions of the European Union; who is who in EU through publications, web sites, videos, posters, documents and movies.
Lecture on EU: lectures based on NGO initiatives will be organized.
EU Events: NGO supported by the centers will organize various events and happenings.
Apart from the 12 centers, Proxima mission in Shtip, Strumica and Prilep, as well as local self-government of Veles, Delchevo, Negotino, Prilep, Resen and Strumica will participate in organizing the celebration.
Europe Day Detailed Program >>> | | | | Law Program
Expositions from the Confrerence “Macedonia and Corruption – Situation and Challenges” Published
On November 10, 2004 Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) organized the second conference “Macedonia and corruption – situation and challenges” as a part of the sub-programme for anticorruption initiatives’ support. FOSIM considered three objectives when organizing the conference: (1) current situation with corruption in Republic of Macedonia, (2) presentation of various anticorruption initiatives, and (3) determining the challenges that Macedonia is confronted with in the efforts for fighting corruption.
In order to contribute towards greater success in the further activities of the state institutions, expert and scientific public, NGOs and media in fighting corruption, FOSIM issued publication in Macedonian, Albanian and English as a summary of the conference.
More information on thte activities related to the topic can be obtained at www.antikorupcija.org.mk or www.anticorruption.org.mk.
Digital version of the publication
Macedonian version>>>
Albanian version>>>
English version>>> | | | | | | | | An Insight to the Programme Creative Teaching and Learning
Interactivity, open approach, relaxed atmosphere…
In the realms of the Creative teaching and learning programme conducted by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, activities are conducted in the high schools. We have received an interesting opinion from the teacher who teaches Introduction to Law in four gymnasiums in Skopje. For his cooperation with the Programme and the Youth Educational Forum (YEF) related to Street Law he said:
“…I talked to the students. Very timidly, they told me what they liked about the YEF educators and what I could consider applying in my teaching. The students pinpointed the following: interactive teaching, open-minded approach, relaxed classroom environment and some other positive things. My vanity took the best of me for a short period, but I promised that I will try. Even today, I try to apply the teaching strategies of “Street Law” in my classes hoping to transfer the contents of the curriculum much more effectively.
… YEF, for me, is a very rewarding experience. I hope that in the next academic year I will be able to introduce Street Law Programme as an extra curricula activity in the high schools I teach. The cooperation continues.”
The complete original and uncorrected version of the text is available here>>>
| | | | Conference:
Copyright in the Digital Age
Foundation Metamorphosis organizes the conference “Copyright in the Digital Age”. Ms. Maja Bogataj Jancic, expert on copyright from the Intellectual Property Institute from Ljubljana, Slovenia, will elaborate on the themes of the conference. The conference will be held in the Official Amphitheatre on the Faculty of Law on May 10, 2005 (Tuesday) starting at 9:30.
Theme of the conference is copyright, the challenges of the digitalization and society’s response to those challenges.
Students, professors, artists, representatives of publishing houses, media, NGO and all interested people are welcomed to attend the conference.
The conference is supported by the Information Program at the Open Society Institute – Budapest and Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia.
Agenda:
10:00 – 11:30 The challenges of digitalization: threats or opportunities?
12:00 – 13:00 Responses to the challenges:
Do we have a new copyright regime?
Alternatives to the new regime
13:15 – 14:15 Public debate “Protection of Copyright is an Imperative” performed by Youth Educational Forum | | | | | | | | Results from the open competition for supporting projects from the sphere of culture conducted by the civic associations in 2005
Results from the open competition announced by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and Ministry of Culture for supporting projects from the sphere of culture conducted by the civic associations in 2005 | | | | NGO Support Center Shtip
Open Day
Thursday, April 28, 2005 is an open day for the NGO support center in Shtip. People can get familiar with its work if they visit the Center located on General Mihajlo Apostolski Street, 14 a, right behind the Municipal Court from 10:00 to 19:00.
The purpose of the open day is introducing the NGO Support Center in Shtip (supported by FOSIM and Swiss agency for cooperation and development), as well as NGOs to the business sector, media and the citizens for more efficient cooperation. Posters, pictures, video-presentations and other means of presenting the projects and activities of the civic associations from Shtip are going to be presented, as well as their future plans. | | | | | | | | Law Program
Promotion of the Book on National Reforms in the Judiciary
Book on national reforms in the judiciary “Indecent proposal to the judiciary” was promoted in the NGO Infocenter in Skopje on April 19, 2005. The book is a part of the activities realized in the realms of the Indecent Proposal to the Judiciary Project conducted by ACTAC and supported by Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Project objective is to contribute to the discussion process on the reform of the judiciary.
Mrs. Meri Mladenovska – Georgievska, Minister of Justice, Mr. Zoran Shapuric, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Mr. Nikola Tupanchevski, Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s Executive Director, Mr. Aleksandar Cvetkoski from ACTAC and Mr. Michael Lackner from OSCE participated in the promotion.
For more information about the Project, please visit www.judiciaryreforms.com.mk.
Digital version of the publication >> | | | | oneworld.net published
Interview with Vladimir Milcin
The portal see.oneworld.net published an interview with Mr. Vladimir Milchin, executive director of the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia. Mr. Risto Karajakov talks with Mr. Milcin about the expansion of the civic movement in the region, NGOs’ problems related to sustainability of their functioning, their dependence on donor money, as well as the openness to the public.
Read the interview >>> | | | | | | | | “Creative teaching and Learning” project
Training and mentorship for 350 teachers
From 15-17 April 2005 and 22-24 April 2005 in Ohrid, The Third Seminar for training and mentorship for the methodology “Reading and Writing to Critical Thinking”, as one of the components of the project “Creative Teaching and Learning”, will be held and delivered to 250 teachers from the following High schools: “Josip Broz Tito”, “Nikola Karev”, “Orce Nikolov” from Skopje, “Koco Racin”, Veles, “Kiril Pejcinovic”, Tetovo and “Josip Broz Tito”, Bitola.
At the seminar number of active teaching techniques will be presented and with their appliance teachers could initiate critical and creative thinking to their students, at the same time developing the individual, pair and team work, which contribute for the active and effective involvement of all students throughout the classes. | | | | Project:
Implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information on Local Level
In the realms of the project Implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information on Local Level, Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) and the Local Self-Government Association (ZELS) organized working meeting of the normative and legal committee of ZELS and work group for preparing provisions for municipalities’ Statutes on free access in the Best Western Hotel, Skopje, on April 13, 2005. The objective of the meeting was discussing proposed provisions for municipalities’ Statutes that will regulate free access to information.
Members of the normative and legal committee of ZELS: Kire Kitevski – President, Kiril Partalov, Ramie Cara and Vlado Petrovski – members, and members of the work group Plamen Georgievski, Ministry of Local Self-Government, Zagorka Tnokovska, Ministry of Justice, Branko Trajchevski, ZELS, Borche Davitkovski and Renata Trenevska Deskovska, Faculty of Law have reached and agreement regarding provisions. Project objective is implementation of these provisions in the municipalities’ Statutes as unified policy.
In addition, Dushica Perishic, ZELS’s executive director, Natasha Vrteska, ZELS’s coordinator for public relations, Viktor Arnaudovski, ZELS’s normative and legal committee coordinator, and Danche Danilovska, project coordinator, attended the meeting.
Proposed provisions can be downloaded here (.PDF, 88.7KB) | | | | | | | | On International Roma Day
Official start of Decade of Roma Inclusion
Group of Roma associations headed by the RNGO 2002 network with various activities celebrated the International Roma Day – April 8. Some of the activities are supported by FOSIM.
Macedonian government will join the celebration and on April 8 will officially announce the start of the Decade of Roma Inclusion. FOSIM’s program Romaversitas is organizing music happening on the Macedonia square in the evening.
In Skopje on April 6, 2005, public debate on the status of Roma students in Macedonian higher education and formal meeting on which academician Dr. Rajko Gjuric gave the speech have been organized. The book Short history of Roma by Rajko Gjuric and Ljatif M. Demir has been promoted and Government of Reublic of Macedonia, Mabera Camberi, head of the Sector for coordination and technical support at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (and member of FOSIM’s Executive Board) and Shaip Jusufi, one of the authors of the First Roma Grammar book, were awarded with April 8 Award. Concert of classical music and forum on Roma integration in Macedonia were held in Skopje, on April 7, 2005, and awards to the students for their works regarding Roma have been given.
In Kumanovo and Bitola various activities are organized for celebrating of April 8. For complete program, visit www.mango.org.mk.
Happy 8th of April to all Roma by FOSIM! | | | | Honorary Award for FOSIM
Police Academy, Skopje at the St. Clement of Ohrid University, Bitola, awarded Honorary Award to FOSIM for financial support and successful implementation of the organized crime training. | | | | | | | | Organized Crime Eradication Project Ended
Training on Organized Crime Conducted
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia in cooperation with the Police Academy and OSCE completed the implementation of the Organized Crime Eradication Project. Project objective was education of the employees in the Department of Organized Crime at the Ministry of Interior. During the training held in February 2005 the newest changes in national criminal law were presented and modern methods of work in the sphere of tracking and acting of the criminal groups were discussed.
For providing necessary multidiscipline in the work, as well as for introducing of the jurisdiction of the institutions involved in the fighting organized crime, money laundering and corruption, representatives from Financial police, Money laundering office, Customs Direction, State commission of anticorruption attended the training. 105 people were educated in the realms of the project. Results from the evaluation will be used for further identification of the needs of constant and specialized training for the employees in the Department of Organized Crime at the Ministry of Interior.
Training results >>> | | | | Living Heritage Fair
The Contemporary Arts Center Skopje, on behalf of the Living Heritage Network – Macedonia, cordially invites you to the official opening of the Living Heritage Fair, on Friday, April 1st 2005, at the House of ARM (Army Hall) in Skopje at 12h. The Fair will be officially opened by Mr. Pance Mancevski, general manager of Export and Import Bank Skopje.
In the course of two days, the fair aims to promote the philosophy of citizen participation and stimulate creative approach towards tradition. The manifestation will present the results of the projects supported by the Living Heritage program. Authentic handicrafts of wood and textile, metal products and organic food will be exhibited for sale. The program also includes lectures, projection of documentaries, project presentations, demonstration of various craft work, concert and youth performance. For program details see www.zivonaseldstvo.org.mk | | | | | | | | Invitation
British Scientist’s Lectures in the Museum of Natural History
Mr. Adrian Norris, acknowledged naturalist – conchologist form Great Britain will have two expert lectures in the Museum of Natural History in Skopje. First lecture “Museums of Natural History in the modern world” will be held on March 15, 2005 (Tuesday) starting at 13:00, and the second one “ZOO-geography of the mollusks: widespread of the land- and freshwater mollusks” and “Opening museum’s depots for the visitors” will be held on March 30, 2005 (Wednesday) starting at 13:00.
Lectures are open for the public.
Simultaneous translation from English available.
Adrian Norris has 40 years of experience as scientist and curator for natural sciences in the British museums, responsible of collections from the spheres of zoology, botany, and geology. He was president of the Conchological society of the Great Britain and Ireland. He is member of ICOM (International Council of Museums), and author of many research papers. The lectures are provided by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia, in the realms of the museums enhancing initiative. | | | | Museum of Macedonia
British Expert Conducts Evaluation
Mrs. Barbara Voroncov, internationally recognized expert in the sphere of museum management in Great Britain, will reside in Skopje from March 27, 2005 to April 1, 2005 and will evaluate the work of the Museum of Macedonia.
Evaluation objective is to help in preparing strategy for the future development of the Museum.
Stay and work of Mrs. Voroncov will be financially supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM). Both institutions signed agreement for cooperation, and it is expected to provide new initiatives for enhancement of the museum work in the future. | | | | | | | | In NGO’s Support Centers
Information Points for EU
Information Points for European Union (EU) are opened in the 12 NGO’s Support Centers in Macedonia. Information Points are part of the European Commission’s Information Program in Macedonia and provide information about how EU and its institutions function, as well as information about the EU activities in Macedonia and in the region.
Information Points can be visited by the citizens in the NGO’s Support Centers in Veles, Prilep, Kichevo and Shtip (supported by FOSIM and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), as well as in the NGO’s Support Centers in Gevgelija, Resen, Debar, Delchevo, Struga, Strumica, Negotino and Kratovo (supported by FOSIM and European Agency for Reconstruction).
| | | | Public health
NGO Database Online
Database of NGOs working in the sphere of public heath has been launched. The database is available at www.ngoph.org.mk . The database is project initiated by the FOSIM’s Public Heath Program.
The Project objective is to provide better coordination between NGOs, as well as information, publications and contacts form this sphere.
| | | | | | | | Veles NGOs Award
Awards for FOSIM Representatives and for SDC
Group of NGos from Veles founded and for the first time awarded the 21st of March Award for development of civil society. Two FOSIM’s representatives were awarded: Mr. Jovan Petrov and Ms. Vesna Shkortova form the NGO's Support Center in Veles, for their personal contribution to development of civil society.
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) that together with FOSIM finance the work of the NGO's Support Center in Veles was awarded, too. | | | | Evaluation
High grades for the Center for Public Health
Center for public health in the realms of the Faculty of Medicine in Skopje, initiated and financially supported by Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia got very high grades for its work. Evaluation was conducted by public heath experts Mr. Teodhore Tulcinsky form Israel and Ms. Judit Overall from USA. | | | | | | | | Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Skopje
Scomrahi 2005
On March 27, 2005 (Sunday), Scomrahi 2005 will be opened with the plays The Proposal and Don Juan Returns From the war that are going to be performed in the Drama Theatre starting at 20:00. Scomrahi ends on Saturday, April 2, 2005. During seven days a lot of plays will be performed, as well as film projections and workshops with lot of participants, students and professors from the academies and faculties for dramatic arts from Skopje, Ljubljana, Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Bucharest, Tirana, Sofia, Istanbul and Thesaloniki. On March 30 (Wednesday), starting at 10:00 a symposium Intercultural Theatre is going to be held.
Scomrahi is annual meeting of students from Balkan and European academies of drama and film supported by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia. If you want to obtain more information and to see the Programme of Scomrahi 2005, visit the web site of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. | | | |
 e-Local Government Project
On March 17, 2005, Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia (FOSIM) and Development Alternatives Inc. (MDW/USAID) signed memorandum of cooperation for implementation of the e-Local Government Project. The project will last for two years and at least 20 Macedonian municipalities will be included.
Project Objective is creating better public policy, greater trust in government, stronger democracy and enhanced quality of service by using information and communication technologies.
Foundation Metamorphosis will implement the project on behalf of FOSIM.
| | | | | | | | Education
Training for preparation of School Development Plans for 23 schools within the Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Training for five-member leadership teams from the project schools for preparation of School Development Plans will take place 15 – 17 May in hotel Bistra in Mavrovo and 20 – 24 May in hotel Belvi in Ohrid. This type of training and practical implementation with topics covering educational management, team work, effective schools and developmental planning is realized for the first time in Macedonia as one component of the Creative Teaching and Learning Program. Lecturers at these seminars are PhD. Konstantin Petkovski and PhD. Metodija Stojanovski from the Institute for Sociological and Juridical Research from Skopje. | | | | Six remarkable women
Award to Mabera Kamberi, Member of FOSIM’s Executive Board
Mabera Kamberi, member of Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM’s) Executive board this year is among six remarkable women who received special award from US ambassador Lawrence Butler before he leaves Macedonia.
This award has been awarded for three years to women who showed remarkable results in their professions. Apart from Mabera Kamberi, chief of the Sector for coordination and technical support to the minister in the Ministry of labor and social policy, Mirjana Naskovska, Pavlina Jankulovska, Gzime Starova, Ruzha Tomeska and Beba Zhekula were awarded with this award. | | | | | | | | Press conference
FOSIM's Agenda for the Year 2005
On February 22nd, 2005, Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) held press conference and presented its agenda and budget for the year 2005.
FOSIM’s executive director Mr. Vladimir Milchin said that this year’s priorities are: support of the reforms and public participation in policy making, promotion of the civic society, decentralization, EU integration and Roma inclusion.
FOSIM realizes these priorities through 13 programs, providing grants for projects, information and contacts, trainings, as well as implementing its personal experience and expertise and building partnership and cooperation on various levels.
FOSIM’s total budget for the year 2005 is $7.614.373, $3.413.115 of which are provided by Mr. George Soros funds, and the remaining sum is provided by other donors and FOSIM’s partners.
Mr. Milchin stressed that foreign donations for Macedonian NGO’s will not be decreased, at least not in the following several years, since the donor society is aware that NGO sector needs time for restructuring in order to be able to function self-sustainable. This is the reason why foreign donors will support this sector at least in the following seven years. | | | | Institute of Economy – Skopje
Analysis Related to Small and Medium Enterprises
Institute of economy – Skopje, supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia conducted survey and prepared scientific analysis on the following topic: Progressing or regressing - overcoming obstacles in the implementation of the SME-development policy in Macedonia. The report has been presented on 13.12.2004, and the final version with implemented comments can be viewed on this web site.
| | | | | | | | FOSIM Executive Board
Celebration for Ms. Emilija Simovska Leaving
Executive Board of Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) organized celebration for Ms. Emilija Simovska leaving from the presidential function on the session hold on February 8, 2005).
Executive Board members and FOSIM's Executive Director Mr. Vladimir Milchin thanked Simovska for her great contribution to development of the Foundation, as a member of the Executive Board and its president from 2002 until yesterday.
Ms. Simovska received letter from George Soros expressing compliments on her contribution in promotion of the open society idea in Republic of Macedonia and abroad.
Ms. Slobodanka Markovska has been elected new president of FOSIM Executive Board.
| | | | In Bitola
Regional Resource Training Center for Local Administration
Civil servants agency (CSA) resource training center for local public administration has been opened in Bitola, on February 7th, 2005. Mr. Vladimir Milchin, Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM), Mr. Aleksandar Geshtakovski, CSA, Mr. Frode Mauring United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Mr. Zlatko Vrshkovski, major of Bitola delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
Reconstruction and adaptation of space into resource training center is one stage of the project for strengthening of the local administration capacities called Model of Macedonian municipality.
The Project is financed by FOSIM and UNDP.
| | | | | | | | Special Award to Vladimir Milchin
Vladimir Milchin, executive director of the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM), has been given a special award for personal contribution and contribution of FOSIM to the transition and building civil society, and for his personal contribution to the development of the Turkish theatre in the Republic of Macedonia.
He received the award during the ceremony organized for the “Kutluk Veli” award winners in the hotel Holiday In, on January 25th, 2005. This award is given to the successful people of Turkish origin, as well as to the people who contributed to the development of the Turkish culture.
The award is given by the Association for development of Turkish language media in Macedonia.
| | | | Living Heritage Program
Souvenir shop and gallery in Krusevo
On January 22nd 2005, after long years Krusevo got the first souvenir shop and cultural space for exhibitions, chamber concerts, promotions and other cultural events within the renovated object of the Cultural center Naum Naumovski-Borce. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous citizens of Krusevo and other quest from Macedonia. The program was enriched with a mini-concert by the trio H. H. Mular (guitar) – J. Penov (guitar) – P. Koleski (clarinet); audio-visual presentation “The heroism of Meckin Kamen”, and concert of the folk ensemble “N. N. Borce” from Krusevo. The funds for the renovation in an amount of $29,500 US dollars were made available through the Living Heritage program. (Also see at: www.zivonasledstvo.org.mk)
| | | | | | | | On.net Correspondence
Web site www.on.net.mk published the correspondence between Enise Eminova and the editor, Sasho Macanovski – Trendo, in which the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia is involved in a very rude manner. The Executive Director of the Foundation, Vladimir Milchin, has sent the following message to the editor of the web site.
Dear editor,
With a delay I have been told that the correspondence is in progress on the web site you are editing in which the Foundation, Soros, has been mentioned, so I have read the correspondence between Enise Eminova and you.
Having no intention to discuss about different, i.e. opposite opinions, I just want to clarify that Enise Eminova is not employed in the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia. As far as I know, she is a consultant of the program Roma Women Initiative within Open Society Institute New York. Thus, her reaction is her personal opinion.
Having no difference between “I” and “they” in her reaction and the heavy verbal artillery used by you, unfortunately, are another example of how the things are easily distorted in our country.
Sincerely,
Vladimir Milchin
| | | | NGO Support Center–Strumica
Forum on decentralization and building open government
Forum “Decentralization process and building open government in Republic of Macedonia” has been organized by the NGO Support Center – Strumica on May 23, 2005. Mayor of Strumica, Mr. Zoran Zaev, welcomed the forum. Ms. Tanja Altandzieva, deputy-minister of local self-government lectured on “Law on local self-government and decentralization process as foundation for better local governance” and Mr. Vasilis Maragos, representative of the European Commission Delegation in Macedonia, lectured on “The role of local self-government in EU integration process” and Mr. Vasilis Vasilatos, EU CARDS team leader – Technical support for implementation and coordination of the decentralization process project.
The mayors of Strumica, Delchevo, Radovish, Vasilevo and Bosilovo, president of the municipality Negotino council, representatives of the abovementioned municipalities, Liljana Ivanovska, MP from Strumica, NGOs from Strumica, Gevgelija, Kratovo, Negotino, Delchevo and Berovo attended the forum. Municipality of Strumica and NGO support center signed the Agreement for cooperation. | | | | | | | | Workshop About Bologna Declaration
Alterations in the Level Structure of Higher Education System: How to Continue?
Workshop about Bologna Declaration with title “Alterations in the level structure of higher education system: How to continue?” will be organized in the Rector’s office of the St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje on January 24th 2005.
Workshop is organized by the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia in cooperation with St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje with financial support provided by the Holland Kingdom Embassy in Macedonia in the framework of the International Winter University of the Academic Training Association of Holland.
David Crosser of European Student Association and Srbiyanka Turaylic of University in Belgrade, former minister of Education and Science of Serbia will be the lecturers. Representatives of the four Macedonian universities will participate in the workshop, too.
The aim of the workshop is to help the forthcoming reforms in Macedonian higher education system and the efforts of Macedonian institutions of higher education for faster and better inclusion in the European sphere of higher education.
Contact person: Suzana Pecakovska, Higher Education Coordinator
Tel: +389 02/ 2 446 787
specako@soros.org.mk
| | | | Conference
Building Åffective Partnership Strategies for Supporting the Education of the Roma People in Republic of Macedonia
Conference on “Building effective partnership strategies for supporting the education of the Roma people in Republic of Macedonia” will be organized in the hotel Aleksandar Palace- Skopje on January 25th, 2005, starting at 11:00.
The conference is organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia and Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) with financial support provided by USAID.
President of Republic of Macedonia, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, directors of FOSIM and USAID as well as NGO representatives working in the sphere of education of Roma people will have the speeches. Embassies of USA, Holland, Great Britain, Norway, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary are invited to the conference, as well as international agencies and organizations and local NGOs working in the sphere of education of Roma people.
Contact person:
Spomenka Lazarevska, Program Director, Education
Tel: + 389 02/2 44 44 88 extension 150
slazare@soros.org.mk
| | | | | | | | Living Heritage Program
Dzvegor Surva in Skopje
Unusual event happened in Skopje on January 12th, 2005 – the Dzvegor Surva was presented on Macedonia Square. About 50 people with masks amused the citizens and invited them to attend the manifestation in their village. The NGO Iskon from the village of Dzvegor received a grant by the Living Heritage program of FOSIM to promote the authentic traditional heritage, among which is this carnival, performed with ages on St. Vaslij Day. (Also see: www.zivonasledstvo.org.mk) | | | | Living Heritage Program
8 New Projects Supported
In 2005, 8 new projects will be implemented with financial support by the Living Heritage program in the communities of: Lesok, Gostivar, Rostuse, Zvegor, Karbinci, Berovo, Lesnovo and Skopje. The financial support to these projects totals $35,000 US dollars. For details please see: www.zivonasledstvo.org.mk | | | | | | | | Roma Women Entrepreneurs Support
Introduction to Business Training
FOSIM will conduct introduction to business trainings for Roma women entrepreneurs in Veles and Shtip in June 2005. The program encompasses the following areas: fundamentals of business, introduction to market research, principles of money flow and calculating expenses, as well as legal procedure for founding trade companies, rights and obligations emerging from registration. Following trainings will be conducted in Kochani in July and in Bitola and Prilep in September and October.
Trainings are part of the FOSIM’s Roma Women Entrepreneurs Support Program (Economic Reform Project) conducted in cooperation with European Council’s Development Bank (fund entrusted by the Norwey Kingdom and Catholic Relief Services, micro-financing project Horizinti). Project objective is to improve the education and social and economic status of Roma. Six Introduction to Business trainings have been organized in Skopje starting from October 2004.
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