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News and Events Archive 2006 News and Events 2006 ArchiveSupport for Roma People in Macedonia
In the past 15 years Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) allocated great amount of the resources to implement the general goal – improvement of status and integration of Roma in Macedonian society.
FOSIM implemented and supported total of 443 projects and programs. FOSIM, especially in the past two years since the Decade of Roma Inclusion was initiated, managed to provide significant financial resources from foreign donors for programs related to Roma – above all USAID, OSCE, Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, REF and REI from Budapest, Embassies of Kingdom of the Nederlands and Hungary in Republic of Macedonia, King Baudouin Foundation from Belgium etc.
FOSIM has actively participated in implementation of goals of the Decade of Roma Inclusion (initiated by World Bank and Open Society Institute – New York, and the Declaration on the Decade was signed by the Republic of Macedonia in 2005). One of the four priorities in the FOSIM strategy is “Roma Integration”, while the FOSIM’s program activities correspond with priorities set by the Decade: education, employment, health, housing.
Resources that FOSIM allocated and provided in the period between 1993 and 2008 for programs and activities related to Roma are presented in the following table.
The table is prepared by DRN, Italy, for evaluation of the Open Society Institute – New York. Data are obtained from FOSIM’s annual financial reports.
Download the table | | | | Promotion of Transparency & Silence
Report on analyses of laws and practices of free access to information
‘Transparency & Silence’ Report on analyses of laws and practices of free access to information in 14 countries prepared by Open Society Justice Initiative was promoted on December 22, 2006. This report resulted from the conducted survey in 2003 and 2004 and show how government offices and agencies in Macedonia, Argentina, Armenia, Bulgaria, Chile, France, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Romania, South Africa, and Spain respond to actual, specific requests for information. Results from 1,926 requests for information were analysed. Main findings are: (1) freedom of information laws increases transparency, (2) Administrative silence is significant problem, (3) transitional countries provided more information than established democracies, (4) civil society involvement helps, (5) discrimination influence on response rate, (6) inconsistent responses, (7) written refusals are rare.
Main finding shows that with 47% the silent refusal is the biggest problem – in Macedonia administration was silent in 44% of requests.
Survey in Republic of Macedonia was conducted by ZG ProMedia. Translation and printing of the copies in Macedonian and Albanian was financially supported by Open Society Justice Initiative and Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia.
Download the report (.pdf, 1 MB) | | | | | | | | Law Program
Fighting Organised Crime in Republic of Macedonia Project
On December 16, 2006 Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia organised working meeting for discussing updated draft version of the National Program for Adopting EU Law for Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security. FOSIM organised this working meeting considering the short terms and expectations of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for finalisation of the program. Participants presented the new text implemented in the laws following the acquis communitaire. In addition, they made an overview to the alterations made in that direction on the institutional sphere, and the remaining future short term (by the end of 2007) and mid term (2008-2010) obligations that are to be realised for implementation of the Law towards implementation of the EU standards in the spheres of external borders, visa policy, external migration and asylum.
Working meeting was moderated by Vlado Kambovski Ph.D., Faculty of Law, Trpe Stojanovski Ph.D., Ministry of Interior, and Zoran Filipovski, Ministry of Interior, coordinator of the Chapter 24 working group.
| | | | Youth Policy Project
Learning Law – Again
In December 2006, FOSIM published the second altered and amended edition of Learning Law toolkit. The toolkit elaborates legal topics, aiming to introduce fundamental democracy values contemporary legal systems are based on to the young people in Macedonia. Incited by the changes in the legal system in the past six years when the first edition was published (especially alteration of the Constitution and system laws, decentralisaiton and expansion of law to new social areas), the project team decided to amend the edition with topics relevant to the current development of civil society.
Download the toolkit, (.pdf, 5.5 MB) | | | | | | | |
FOSIM – OPERATIONAL PROGRAM 2006, (.pdf, 4 MB) | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Media Library and Methodical Classroom at the Pedagogical Faculty “Goce Delchev”, Shtip
On December 14, 2006 at the Pedagogical Faculty “Goce Delchev”, Shtip completely equipped media library and methodical classroom were presented within the Creative Teaching and Learning Project. In the period from December 2005 to September 2006, media libraries and methodical classrooms were equipped at the Pedagogical Faculties in Skopje, Bitola and in Shtip. The premises are equipped with PCs, LCD projectors, scanners, printers, copiers, audio equipment, chairs, desks and boards, while books will be purchased additionally. In addition, the three faculties were renovated – windows and floors were replaced, toilets and electric installation were renovated, the premises were whitened etc.
New conditions are expected to provide pleasant environment for quality practical teaching of the students – future teachers for the use of new interactive techniques and methods in the teaching process.
| | | | | | | | December 15-16, 2006
NGO Fair in Gostivar
Second regional NGO Fair is organised on December 15-16, 2006 in the Mavrovo restaurant in Gostivar. The Fair will encompass exhibition part, forum activities, and social and cultural events. NGO Fair is organised by Association for democratic initiative – ADI from Gostivar on behalf of Macedonian Civic Platform.
Download the agenda in Macedonian and Albanian language. | | | | Another way of practicing democracy
Urban Development and Improvement of the Local Infrastructure
The citizens of the municipalities Gjorce Petrov, Prilep and Kicevo, felt the benefits of the immediate democracy. On meetings with the mayors and the municipality administration, hundred of citizens in each municipality stated their problems, decided that urban development and improvement of infrastructure is priority for their communities and with their ideas, knowledge and skills, through project development, contribute to improvement of the condition and by that of their own lives in their communities. The cooperation between the citizens and the local self-government actually is one of the goals of this programme and it is one of the preconditions for successful development of the local communities. The success and the dedication on the forums’ sessions is a drive for increase of the commitment and the cooperation.
On the forums’ sessions held in the past two months (in Gjorce Petrov and in Prilep – three sessions, in Kicevo – two sessions) participated more then one hundred citizens at each session. The citizens of the these communities – forum participants, will further discuss in the following four months how to contribute to overcoming of the problems that they asses are most burning in their communities, each by her/his knowledge and interest , representing the group that she/he comes from – the business sector, culture and education, sports, women’s organizations, health, youth organizations, and others. Through guided and structured discussion they will asses the needs in the community, design projects, and at the end they will decide which projects will be funded. For the implementation of the project, for each municipality, 120.000 euros will be provided by the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency, additional 25% will be provided by the municipality and 15% by the project implementation body. The project will be implemented in course of 2007.
These activities in the municipalities of Gjorce Petrov, Prilep and Kicevo are part of the programme “Community Forums”. The Programme is financed by the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency, and implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia and the Center for Institutional Development – CIRa, in cooperation with the municipalities Gjorce Petrov, Prilep and Kicevo. The Programme aims to contribute to development of the municipalities buy facilitating the participation of all interested parties by organizing forums. The Forum will provide: a) the citizens to improve their lives by stating personal ideas and participation in the decision-making processes; and b) the municipal administration to be open, accountable and transparent. | | | | | | | | Law Program
Fighting Organised Crime in Republic of Macedonia Project
On December 8, 2006 Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia organised working meeting for discussing updated draft version of the National Program for Adopting EU Law for Chapter 23 – Jurisdiction and fundamental rights.
FOSIM organised this working meeting considering the short terms and expectations of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for finalisation of the program. Participants presented the new text implemented in the laws following the acquis communitaire. In addition, they made an overview to the alterations made in that direction on the institutional sphere, and the remaining future short term (by the end of 2007) and mid term (2008-2010) obligations that are to be realised for implementation of the Law towards implementation of the EU standards in the spheres of judiciary, corruption and human rights.
Working meeting was moderated by Frosina Tasevska, Ministry of Justice, coordinator of the Chapter 23 working group, Vlado Kambovski Ph.D., and Gordan Kalajdziev Ph.D., Faculty of Law. | | | | Youth Entrepreneurial Service
Best Business Plans Awarded
On November 30, 2006 Foundation Youth Entrepreneurial Service (YES) established by SINTEF, Norway and FOSIM awarded the most successful business plans developed by young entrepreneurs. Vitrano glass by Marija Pancevska and Dimitar Delioanov won the first place and 3.000 euros and debit cards by IK Bank, Moments by Slavica Ilievska, Sandra Stevanovikj and Suzana Stevanovikj won the second place and 2.000 euros, website by NextSense and debit cards by IK Bank, while Enjoy Macedonia by Oliver Bonchanoski, Borche Milcheski, Tome Popchevaliev and Gordan Petrovski was third and won 1.000 euros and debit cards by IK Bank.
Link by Marjan Nenov and Katerina Nedelkovska, Pyramid by Elena Kocevska, Sasho Mickov, Biljana Krstikj, Condom club by Vasko Kichevski and Makvision by Vancho Stojkov, Goran Shutinovski, Jordan Chepreganov, Dragoljub Srbinovski, Borche Chifliganec and Igor Cavirovski were fourth.
HE Carl S. Wibye, Norwey ambassador in Macedonia, Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director, professor Milan Kjosevski, dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mr. Koce Trajanovski, mayor of Gazi Baba Municipality address the audience.
Sponsors of this contest were IK Bank, Alexandria, NextSense, Semos Education and HTT Pool Internet Marketing. In 2007 a business incubator will be established within the Youth Entrepreneurial Service that will help future entrepreneurs to realize their business plans. For more information about the project please visit www.yesincubator.org.mk. | | | | | | | | Promotion
Transactional Expenses in Macedonian Economy
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia promoted the book Transactional expenses in Macedonian economy.
Mr. Zoran Cali, FOSIM’s administrative director, Mr. Kiro Spadzev, deputy minister of economy, and Mr. Ljubomir Kekenovski, professor at Faculty of Economics, Skopje presented the book.
The book presents the experiences and recommendations resulted from the research conducted by Mr. Ljubomir Kekenovski, Mr. Vancho Uzunov and Mr. Marjan Nikolov in 2005. The aim of the research was to illustrate and locate the transactional expenses that we do not see, but that have great influence on Macedonian economy, as well as to make an attempt to measure them. The research shown that there are many reasons for high transactional expenses in Macedonian economy: bad institutional setup, bias and overwhelming laws, inefficient judiciary, uncoordinated institutions, lack of political will for implementing reforms, etc.
Some of the recommendations resulted from this research are: consensus for liberation of institutions, especially courts, from political influence and nepotism, need of establishing culture of efficient communication for increasing the trust between institutions and citizens, enhanced communication between institutions, clearer will, stronger energy and measurable commitment of social elites for substantial changes. In addition to this, the aim of the book is to pay attention to the hidden expenses created with inappropriate implementation of laws and procedures and inefficient institutions.
| | | | Law Program
Fighting Organised Crime in the Republic of Macedonia Project
The regular VIII meeting of the expert group within the Fighting Organised Crime in the Republic of Macedonia project was held in the British Council’s Conference and Studies Centre on November 28, 2006 (Tuesday). Current legal projects relevant for prevention and eradication organised crime (Law on police, Draft Law on public prosecution and Draft Law on public prosecutors council), updated version of Draft National program for adopting EU Law, and situation with signed Memorandums for cooperation between the institutions have been discussed.
Regarding the Draft National program for adopting EU Law, the participants expressed need and preparedness for additional support for the working groups on the chapters 23 and 24 in the updating process.
| | | | | | | | Seminar Organised by FOSIM
At European Borders: Who are our Friends/Enemies?
The sixth international seminar “Transitional Justice in Former Yugoslavia” on the topic “At European Borders: Who are our Friends/Enemies?” was organised on three locations in Skopje (cultural centre Mala Stanica, cultural centre Tochka and Children Theatre Centre) on November 25-27, 2006.
The seminar was organised by FOSIM in partnership with Centre for cultural decontamination and Belgrade Circle, Belgrade, Serbia, and NGO Kontrapunkt and Euro Balkan Institute, Skopje. Intellectuals, university professors, students and NGO representatives participated in the debates. The seminar ended with lecture and promotion of the book “The Jew, the Arab: A History of the Enemy” by Jil Anidjar, professor at Columbia University, USA.
Download the program >>>, (.pdf, 1,2 MB)
| | | | Promotion
George Soros: Age of Fallibility
Latest book by George Soros titled Age of Fallibility was promoted in Brussels on November 20, 2006 at the Policy Dialog organised by the European Policy Centre and Open Society Institute. During the debate, Mr. Soros stressed the role of Europe as a model of a global open society. Mr. Javier Solana participated in the debate.
Mr. Soros delivered a speech in Hotel Renaissance, Brussels on November 20, 2006 on the topic “Europe as a Prototype for a Global Open Society”.
Follow the link to read the discussion and details >>> (.pdf, 40 KB)
Download the speech >>>, (.pdf, 26 KB) | | | | | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Seminar on Modernisation of Education and Training of Teachers
Seminar on European credit transfer system (ECTS) “Modernisation of Education and Training of Teachers” was organised in Metropol Hotel in Ohrid on November 23-26, 2006 for training the teachers and associates at the Faculty of Natural and Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje and Faculty of Natural and Sciences and Mathematics in Tetovo.
25 participants were presented the experience from ECTS implementation at the University of Ljubljana, planning and realisation of curricula, as well as comparative overview of the training of teachers in the developed European countries. Dr. Sasha Glazhar from Pedagogical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana was the lecturer at the seminar.
| | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Education for Social Justice
Workshop “Education for social justice” was organised in Metropol Hotel in Ohrid on November 24-26, 2006. 44 professors and assistants from the Pedagogical faculties in Skopje, Bitola and Shtip attended the workshop.
Through practical examples the participants had the opportunity to acquire techniques for identification and resolving emergence of ethnical, racial and sexual prejudices and conflicts, towards implementation of this experience in the teaching process and enriching the curricula at the pedagogical faculties with new content.
Lecturers at the workshop were Jelena Vranjeshevic and Zorica Trikic from the Center for interactive pedagogy, Belgrade and Meri Boshkova and Dimitar Bonevski from Skopje.
| | | | | | | | Regional NGO Fair – Strumica
HE Erwan Fouéré, Ambassador of the European Union in Macedonia and Slavica Indzevska, deputy director of the Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia opened the Regional NGO Fair in Strumica. Zoran Zaev, mayor of Strumica and Snezhana Mancheva, representative of Sector for European affairs within the Government of the Republic of Macedonia also addressed the audience. Around 50 NGOs from Macedonia were represented at the Regional NGO Fair. Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia and NGO Support Centre – Strumica on behalf of the Center for Civic Initiative coordinated the organisation of this first Regional NGO Fair that was held in Strumica on November 24-25, 2006. The NGO Fair was financially supported by the European Agency for integration, and also the Strumica Municipality was sponsor of the event.
The aim of the event is to introduce public with activities of the civil society organisations, to create space for exchange of experience and to increase regional cooperation through coordination and networking of civil society organisations. The NGO Fair is consisted of three components: forum activities, exhibition part and social and cultural events.
| | | | Metamorphosis Foundation
End of the Second International Conference „e-Society.Mk“
Second International Conference „e-Society.Mk“ was organised by the Metamorphosis Foundation in Holiday Inn Hotel in Skopje on November 15-17, 2006. The Conference covered the following themes: best practices in institutional framework building, e-government and citizen participation, freedom of information and data privacy, e-commerce, cyber-crime and cyber-security legislation, new media influence on policy: digital switch, building synergy: bridging the gap eEU-eSEE, gender evaluation of it projects, online journalism, blogging and other new media, freedom of expression on the internet, e-accessibility: inclusion of people with disabilities in the is, free and open source software and other themes. Six workshops were organised within the conference for practical knowledge transfer.
The Conference has regional dimension with about thirty experts from the Balkans and other European countries and provoked great interest among the public, decision makers, international development agencies and experts. About 300 people attended and participated in the conference. Mr. Mile Janakieski, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Macedonia opened the Conference.
The Second International Conference „e-Society.Mk“ was supported by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Open Society Institute.
| | | | | | | | Law Program
Presentation of the Publication ”Macedonia and GRECO”
On October 31, 2006 FOSIM promoted the book ”Republic of Macedonia and GRECO (group of states against corruption). Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director, Mr. Vlado Kambovski Ph.D., professor at Faculty of Law is Skopje, and Mr. Nikola Tupancevski Ph.D. author of the book and head of the Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia in GRECO addressed the audience.
The book introduces the readers in the expert body GRECO that acts within the Council of Europe and provides overview of the European documents that regulates the corruption issue, as well as the legal instruments for fighting corruption. Report for the assessment of the Republic of Macedonia performed by GRECO (first and second round) and Implementation of the recomendations from the Report for the assessment of the Republic of Macedonia (first and second round).
Macedonia became GRECO member in 2000, but this publication is first of this kind in Macedonia that refers to the work and structure of this body. The book can be obtained in the FOSIM’s premises or to be downloaded from the FOSIM’s website, <.pdf, 1,3 MB). | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Seminar on Modernisation of the Teachers’ Education and Preparation
A seminar on European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) titled Modernisation of the Teachers’ Education and Preparation, for training of the teachers and associates for methodical subjects at the Faculty of Philology and Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje and Faculty of Humanitarian Sciences and Arts in Tetovo will be organised in Ohrid on November 1-4, 2006.
Participants will have to opportunity to get familiar with the experience of the implementation of the ECTS at the University of Ljubjlana, curricula planning and realisation, as well as comparative experiences of the teachers’ training in other countries. Keynote speaker at the seminar will be Milica Antic-Gaber Ph.D., Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Ljubjlana.
| | | | | | | | Community Forums
Different Democracy Practicing
Implementation of the Community Forums Program, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, started in Gjorche Petrov, Prilep and Kichevo municipalities. The program is implemented by FOSIM and Centre for institutional development in cooperation with the municipalities. Program’s objective is to contribute towards municipality development by participation of all stakeholders through forums that will enable citizens to enhance their living by personal ideas and participation in the decision making process, and municipal administration to be open, accountable and transparent.
First forums were held on October 18-20, 2006. In Gjorche Petrov and Prilep urban development was estimated as priority need, while improving local infrastructure was selected in Kichevo. In the following six months the citizens will discuss about their contribution to solving the problems, each citizen with his knowledge and interest, representing the sector (business sector, education, culture, sport, NGOs). They will develop projects, while Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development will provide 120.000 euros for each municipality, and the municipality will participate with 25% and the implementation party will participate with 15% of the total budget for the implementation. The projects will be realised in 2007. Next forum sessions in these municipalities will be oprganised in November.
| | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project and Metamorphosis
Presentations of Scientific Electronic Resources - Academic Journals and Databases
Several presentations of scientific electronic resources - academic journals and databases available through Electronic Information for Libraries Foundation (eIFL) - will be organised at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University and St. Clement of Ohrid University on October 23-30, 2006. Presentations are organised within the Creative teaching and learning project of the Foundation open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) that is financially supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Presentations will be lead by Mr. Miodrag Dadasovikj, National and University Library - Skopje, and Ms. Jordanka Petrushevska, Metamorphosis Foundation.
Presentations will provide discussion about opportunities for more efficient use of the eIFL databases, as well as for possible issues and challenges.
Agenda
| Date |
Time
|
Location
|
Premise
|
| 23.10.2006 |
10:00
|
Faculty of Philosophy, Skopje |
Session's Hall
|
| 25.10.2006 |
09:30 |
Pedagogical Faculty, Skopje |
Physics Laboratory 221 |
| 25.10.2006 |
13:00
|
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Skopje |
Physics Amphitheatre |
| 26.10.2006 |
12:00 |
Pedagogical Faculty, Shtip |
First classroom, renovated part of the Faculty |
| 30.10.2006 |
12:00 |
Pedagogical Faculty, Bitola |
|
| | | | | | | | Law Program
Free Legal Help for Citizens in Enjoying Right to Free Access to Information of Public Character
On October 14, 2006 in the Holliday Inn Hotel in Skopje, Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) in cooperation with Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA) organised advanced training for lawyers that will provide free legal help to the citizens in enjoying right to free access to information of public character. 15 lawyers, MYLA members, will provide help the citizens (information requestors) in compiling and lodging complaints to the Commission for Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information, as well as to represent the citizens at court in cases when the access to requested information has not been allowed. Free legal help component is financed by FOSIM and Swedish Helsinki Committee.
Apart from the lawyers that elaborated the topics with the lecturers Borche Davitkovski Ph.D., and Ana Pavlovska Daneva Ph.D., the training attended some of the members and expert department of the Commission for Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information and the president Janko Nikolovski.
For more information about enjoying right to free access to information of public character visit www.spinfo.org.mk and www.foi.org.mk.
| | | | Law Program
Fighting Organised Crime in the Republic of Macedonia Project
On October 6-7, 2006 in Inex Gorica Hotel in Ohrid the fouth working meeting of the expert working group was held. The meeting encompassed working on reviewing the legal projects which are in procedure, analising of the implementation of the European standards for fighting organised crime. In addion drafts for developing side projects for reform of penalty procedure, special investigation measures, economic crime and xrime of misuse of authority were presented. Working group was pleased from publication of Newsletter Number 1 that encompass material from the past five meetings on this topic.
More:
Newsletter Number 1, (.pdf, 1,2 MB)
Working program, (.pdf, 110 KB)
List of participants, (100 KB) | | | | | | | | Pedagogical Faculty “St. Clement of Ohrid” in Skopje
Media Library and Methodical Classroom Presented
On October 5, 2006 at the Pedagogical Faculty “St. Clement of Ohrid” in Skopje media library and methodical classroom were presented. Media library and methodical classroom were initiated and completely equipped within the Creative Teaching and Learning Project implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia (FOSIM).
In the period from December 2005 to September 2006, apart from Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje, media libraries and methodical classrooms were equipped at the Pedagogical Faculty in Bitola and in Shtip. The premises are equipped with PCs, LCD projectors, scanners, printers, copiers, audio equipment, chairs, desks and boards, while books will be purchased additionally.
In addition, the three faculties were renovated – windows and floors were replaced, toilets and electric installation were renovated, the premises were whitened etc. New conditions are expected to provide pleasant environment for quality practical teaching of the students – future teachers for the use of new interactive techniques and methods in the teaching process.
Creative teaching and learning project is financed by USAID and implemented by FOSIM. | | | | President Crvenkovski at the Round Table for NGO Sector in New York
Governmental and NGO Sector Together in Building Democratic Climate
H.E. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia, spoke at the round table for the role and influence of the non-governmental organizations in promoting global democracy held in New York, USA, on September 19, 2006. The round table was incited by George Bush, President of the USA.
Crvenkovski, among others, said:
“…At the internal level, the Macedonian authorities recognize the engagement of the governmental and non-governmental sector in building a democratic ambiance in the society. When political projects of importance for the state and for the citizens are considered, the authorities responsibly maintain the public-private partnership. This significant cohabitation has given an irreplaceable contribution to the creation of the Macedonian success story in the last fifteen years…”
Read the complete text >>> (.pdf, 10 KB) | | | | | | | | Vladimir Milcin interviewed by Bulgarian agency FOCUS
Letter sent by Macedonian soldiers in WWI are a challenge to scientists
On September 19th, FOSIM Executive Director, Vladimir Milcin, was interviewed by the News Agency FOCUS from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian agency was interested about the letters of Macedonian soldiers, who were mobilized and serving in the Bulgarian and Serbian armies at the Austro-Hungarian front during the WWI. The letters were kept by an unknown person in Bulgaria. This important documentation was bought recently by FOSIM. The interview follows:
FOCUS: Mr. Milcin, how did the Institute obtained those letters of Macedonian soldiers, dating back to the time of the WWI?
Vladimir Milcin: I learned about the letters of mobilized Macedonian soldiers in the WWI through the print media. I think it was the Vecer daily that had published quite a lot of information on the issue. I got in touch with Mr. Alexovski and I was able to see copies of the original letters. After I was received the official accord of the management board of the Foundation to start talks for purchasing the letters, including post cards and documents, I was then shown the original papers in the town of Kratovo. The Open Society Institute in Macedonia obtained them in mid June 2006.
The whole interview can be read here >>> | | | |
Out of respect for the deceased Ljupcho Lazarevski and respecting the wish of his family, FOSIM publishes the complete text of his statement about the reasons and circumstances for his resignation from the function Executive director of the public enterprise Macedonian Radio and Television, written on 05.09.2006, several days before his sudden death:
NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN!
To the democratic public of the Republic of Macedonia
Respected,
With this I would like to announce and to inform you about the reasons for my resignation from the function Executive director of the public enterprise Macedonian Radio and Television, about the circumstances under which I have resigned, as well as about my personal opinions on the reasons for the grave financial situation in the public service.
Complete text of the statement >>> (.pdf, 50 KB)
| | | | | | | | Law Program
Monitoring of Implementation of Free Access to Information of Public Character on Local Level
FOSIM organised instruction session for 123 requestors of information of public character in Holiday Inn hotel in Skopje on September 16, 2006 (Saturday). Requestors will submit their requests to holders of information on local level in order to measure the level of implementation of Law on Free Access to Information of Public Character. Monitoring report will be publicly promoted at the end of the year 2006. | | | | Metamorphosis Foundation
“Get Your Job Done!” CD for Celebrating the Software Freedom Day
On the occasion of Software Freedom Day (September 16th), Metamorphosis Foundation will publish “Get Your Job Done!” CD containing free source software.
The CD contains free source software in Macedonian and English language for:
• Office: text processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases – OpenOffice.org with tutorials in Macedonian language
• Internet: browsing and e-mail – Firefox, Thunderbird
• Manipulation with images, photos and documents in various formats – GIMP, PDF Creator
• And 11 games
Free software is completely legal, and the copyright owners allow usage, development, localization, copying and sharing of the software.
Apart from practical benefit for home and office use, the use of high quality free software contributes to decrease the privacy rate in Macedonia and building culture of free knowledge sharing.
From September 16th, 2006 (Saturday) the CD will be available through the distribution network of Vreme daily newspaper for symbolic price of 50 denars.
The CD has been developed within the Free and open source software project implemented by the Metamorphosis Foundation and financed by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and Open Society Institute Budapest.
With translation, proofreading and testing, experts (IT experts, proofreaders, translators) and great number of voluntaries through series of activities organized in cooperation with the NGO Free Software Macedonia participated in development of the CD. | | | | | | | | Plagij.at and Extreme Sports
Concert of Independent Musicians
Civil society associations Plagij.at and Extreme Sports from Skopje organised concert named Turns 1 in the Skopje City Park on August 30, 2006. Several independent bands from Macedonia participated and for them this was an opportunity to present themselves to Macedonian fans. Vivid, Victim Yield, Mooger Fooger, Suns, Risto Gusikj, The New Beginning, Sidewalk, Two Sides, White Noise in a White Room participated in the concert. The organisation was perfect despite the rainy weather.
FOSIM was among the supporters of this concert.
| | | | FOSIM Executive Board
Departure of Nikola Gelevski
On August 31, 2006 FOSIM Executive Board thanked Nikola Gelevski, whose four-year mandate as a member of the Executive Board has ended. Nikola Gelevski was member of FOSIM Executive Board since 2002 and gave significant and original contribution with his creative spirit, innovativeness and critical thinking.
Starting from the next session the new member of the FOSIM Executive Board will be Goce Todoroski of the Center for Independent Civic Initiatives from Prilep.
| | | | | | | | Youth in Action Project
Component 1: Promotion of Youth Issues
The project Youth in action: financial and technical assistance for youth NGOs for community oriented projects supported by World Bank Small Grants Program, Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and Balkan Trust for Democracy is aimed to supporting youth in undertaking concrete activities aimed towards changes of policies in Macedonia. The project is composted of three components that will enable building capacities among youth NGOs and conducting youth NGOs projects oriented toward development of youth policies, promoting youth participation in decision making processes and strengthening cooperation with local government and other relevant partners on local level.
First component encompasses support of the projects for promotion of youth issues and youth policies on local level in accordance with the National Youth Strategy. Youth NGOs offer creative and innovative approach in strengthening youth civic participation through inciting developing youth initiatives, strengthening mechanisms for inclusion and participation of the youth and initiating partnership in public sector, other OGO and private sector.
Download the list of supported projects., (.pdf, 50 KB)
The second component is focused on capacity building of youth NGOs in their sphere of activities. The third component encompasses support in consulting and mentorship in developing project ideas which are in the interest of youth on local level that would give concrete results after they are implemented. | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Seminar for Introducing New Teaching Methodology – “With Reading and Learning to Critical Thinking”
Intensive summer trainings attended by 180 students from teacher departments at the Faculties of Philology and Philosophy, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje and Faculty for Humanitarian Sciences and Art and Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Tetovo will take place in Bellevue Hotel in Ohrid from August 25 to September 3, 2006.
Aim of the trainings is to introduce future teachers with new active teaching methodology and techniques that foster critical thinking and create conditions for active participation of the students in learning process.
Training will be conducted by certified trainers.
| | | | | | | | FOSIM and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
New Grant for Roma Education
On July 11, 2006 FOSIM and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Macedonia signed agreement for awarding grant for implementation of the “Equal Educational Opportunities for Roma Pupils” project. The aim of the project is enhancing the success and increasing the percentage of successful participation of Roma children in primary schools.
The grant predicts additional support (not within formal curricula) in learning for about 3.000 pupils in which 250 teachers and 1.000 parents will also be included. The list of the schools to participate in the project will be announced additionally. Financial support for the grant is two million euros. The project will be implemented by FOSIM in the three following years.
Read more >>> | | | | In Metamorphosis
Certificates for Participation in the Computer Training Awarded
Certificates for participation on the computer training were awarded in the Metamorphosis Foundation premises on July 3, 2006. 16 participants, Roma secondary school students that accomplished 5 modules received certificates for successful participation in the computer training.
The attendees learned the basic data processing and how to use the Windows XP operating system, basic MS Office applications – Word, Excel and PowerPoint - as well as internet basics.
The training was organised in the realms of the Roma Education Project implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia.
| | | | | | | | With Support of the Municipality, FOSIM and USAID
Premises for NGO Centre in Prilep
On June 14, 2006 Mr. Marjan Risteski, mayor of Prilep, Mr. Michael Bogdan, USAID representative and Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM executive director signed Memorandum with which Municipality Prilep gives 169,62 m2 space on free lease for 10 years to the NGO Support Centre in Prilep. Municipality will support the NGO support centre in Prilep for water, hygiene and power expenses for the five following years, while FOSIM and USAID obliged to provide resources for restoration and adaptation. Thus, the NGOs from Prilep obtained premises that will certainly be operational in the ten following years. | | | | Agreement Between FOISM and SEC
Support for Election Process
On June 14, 2006 FOSIM and State Election Commission (SEC) signed Agreement for cooperation for training of all members of the municipal election commissions and electoral boards. 100 trainers will be trained and they will conduct training for 30.000 members of the electoral administration.
Manual containing rules of the election process including all the SEC reports and guidelines will be prepared for the needs of the training. For these activities FOSIM will provide support of 45.000 EUR
| | | | | | | | Assessment of Macedonia’s Good Governance Potential
Agreement between FOSIM and the Government
On June 13, 2006 FOSIM and General Secretariat at the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has signed an agreement that regulates activities that are to be implemented by the end of the year 2008.
Agreement is consisted of the following components: preparing Guide through the institutions, ICT component, decentralisation of general jurisdiction in the ministries, ethic code for high officials and vertical analysis of pilot ministry according to the good governance principle.
| | | | For the Third Time FOSIM Awarded the Prize for the Best Visual and Graphic Design of a Book
The association of citizens Ecokrater from Kratovo was awarded for the tourist guide of Kratovo in the premises of the NGO Info center, Skopje on June 14, 2006.
The Media program at FOSIM gives the prize for the best visual and graphic design third time in a row. The aim of this award is to improve the standards and to encourage the creativity and professionalism in the field of the visual and graphic design of a book.
This year’s jury was: Gordana Duvnjak – as a president, journalist in Utrinski Vesnik and a member of the FOSIM Board; Slavica Janeshlieva-Bachvarska- as a member, a qualified artist; and Dejan Gjeorgjievski – as a member, web editor and a photographer.
The competition was announced in the dailies Dnevnik and Utrinski Vesnik on April 13, 2006. The dead line for applying was May 15, 2006. The jury met on May 26, 2006 in the premises of FOSIM and after processing the applicants made the final decision.
Three examples of each of the books that entered this competition will be donated to the libraries of the NGO Support Centers in Macedonia.
| | | | | | | | Public Debate
Does Macedonia have a Good Governance Potential?
FOSIM organised public debate on the topic “Does Macedonia have a Good Governance Potential?”, in Skopje, on June 6, 2006. Public debate is part of the Assessment of Macedonia’s Good Governance Potential project. Keynote speakers at the debate were Mr. Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director, Mrs. Suzana Nikodijevikj-Filipovska, representative of the General Secretariat of the Government, and Mr. Edward Mitevski, representative of the Secretariat for European Affairs. Speakers at the debate were university professors Dr. Borche Davitkovski, Dr. Ana Pavlovska-Daneva and Dr. Vancho Uzunov, deputy ombudsman Dragi Celevski, director of State Revision Directorate Dr, Dragoljub Arsovski, and president of MCIC, Mr. Sasho Klekovski. Representatives of several ministries and other state bodies as well as NGO representatives participated in the debate.
The aim was inciting open debate about needs of implementing the good governance concept and principles, raising awareness of need of development, application and promotion of good governance concept, determining problems Macedonian institutions are facing with and finding possible solutions for good governance principles. Conclusions and recommendations resulting from the debate will be published in a booklet that will soon be available at FOSIM website.
Participants in the debate: Minister of environment and physical planning, state secretaries from the ministries of justice, environment and physical planning, education and science, health, internal affairs and local self-governance, state advisors from ministries of foreign affairs, culture, agriculture, forestry and water management, labour and social policy, local self-government, economy, representatives of Public prosecutor’s office, State commission for preventing corruption, Public procurement Bureau, Public revenues directorate, Civil servants agency, Union, director of the Agency for preventing money laundering, and several NGOs (Transparency, CGI-Prilep, Association for customer protection, Centre for civic communications and MCET).
| | | | East East Program
Support for Cross-border Partnership
FOSIM calls all interested parties that are suitable to program priorities to consider opportunities for involvement in the East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders.
East East is an Open Society Institute New York network program for supporting cross-border partnership that provides connecting people and idea transfer beyond national borders, thus strengthening conditions for building civil society beyond borders.
The Program will support open dialogue and neutral space for different attitudes and opinions. Initiatives supported within this Program should discover and inspire new vision, energy and creativity in building open societies between at least two countries.
The aims of the Program are the following:
- Support partnerships for social innovation through ideas, information, knowledge and practical action based on knowledge networking;
- Consolidates the work of critical group of people for promoting open society as an instrument for lobbying, influence and positive change and political dialogue between the countries in association with the issues related to the Open Society Institute New York mission.
The Program is targeted, but not limited, towards modern global challenges including strengthening civil society, marginalised parts of the society, multiculturalism and social influence over economic and political changes.
About the Program:
Criteria, application and decision >>>, (.pdf, 126 KB)
Application form (project structure) >>>, (.pdf, 23 KB)
Initiatives >>>, (.pdf, 200 KB)
Program Coordinators >>>, (.pdf, 14 ÊÁ)
EU integration sub-program, (.pdf, 115 KB) | | | | | | | | On EBRD’s Invitation
Comments to EBRD Strategy 2004 for Macedonia
Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia in cooperation with two Macedonian think - tanks: the Centre for Economic Analyses (CEA) and the Centre for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) replied to the invitation by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to comment the EBRD Strategy 2004 for Macedonia.
Summary of Comments to EBRD Strategy 2004 for Macedonia, (.pdf, 87 KB)
Comments - Centre for Economic Analyses , (.pdf, 36 KB)
Comments - Centre for Research and Policy Making, (.pdf, 28 KB) | | | | Living Heritage Fair
Second Living Heritage Fair will be held on June 10, 2006 at Macedonia Street near the Mother Teresa monument. Most of the projects realised within the FOSIM’s Living Heritage Program that support community development through local cultural heritage will be presented.
The Fair is organised by the Contemporary Art Centre, Skopje with financial support by FOSIM. Sponsor of the event is Centar Municipality.
| | | | | | | | AGTIS
Month of the Golden Fish
On May 30, 2006 in the NGO Info Center in Skopje Association for Civic Tolerance and Cooperation, AGTIS, Prilep promoted the book Pre-election Month of the Golden Fish financially supported by FOSIM published in the realms of the Pre-election Month of the Golden Fish project. As Dr. Natasa Gaber Damjanovska and Dr. Aneta Joveska, promoters of the book said, the book has serious and funny part, and talks about pre-electoral campaigns, populism, demagogic, political culture and other relevant themes.
Book is published in Macedonian, Albanian and English. Campaign targeting representative target groups, pool, pool about political party affiliation and priorities were conducted in the realms of the project. All of that, as well as cartoons – brands against populism can be found at the www.stisnizelba.org.mk web site.
| | | | NGO Support Centre Veles
President Crvenkovski Visited NGO Support Centre Veles
President of the Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski visited the NGO Support Centre Veles in the realms of his visit to Veles on May 29, 2006. In the NGO Support Centre Veles, President met representatives of 17 NGOs from Veles. Ace Kocevski, mayor of Veles, Stojna Trajkova, president of the Commission for equal opportunities between women and men and Vesna Dzajkova, member of the Council of Municipality Veles, were also present at the meeting.
President has been informed about the activities of the NGO Support Centre Veles, as well as about the activities of the NGOs and their cooperation with the local self-government unit. President Crvenkovski commended good organisation of the civic sector in Veles, stressing that new legislature boosts business sector donations to the civic sector. He also appeal to NGO sector to promote and contribute in organisation and conducting fair and democratic elections. | | | | | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Seminar on Modernisation of Education and Teachers Training
Seminar on enhancing study programs of Pedagogical Faculties in Skopje, Stip and Bitola for professors and managers will be held in Metropol Hotel in Ohrid from May 31 to June 3, 2006.
Participants will have the chance to get familiar with the Qualifications Framework in Higher Education and Teachers Education, European Commission Plans on Teachers Education, Education Trends in SEE Countries, as well as with the Case study of the Pedagogical Faculty in Ljubljana. Within the workshop the participants should define competencies and expected results from studying at the faculties in Macedonia as well as to be trained for developing new curricula based on the Bologna Process and ECTS standards. Mr. Pavel Zgaga, University of Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia, will be lecturer at the workshop.
| | | | Conference
Education for Public Health
Regional conference on public health development South East Europe will be held in Ohrid on May 18-21, 2006. Public health professors form Albania, Bulgaria, Germany, Israel, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia and Montenegro.
Aim of the conference is to evaluate the progress of the public health post graduate studies in the region, the level of cooperation between the formal education in this sphere and public health schools, as well as the perspectives of the graduated students to be accepted as leaders, representatives, managers or analysts in the sphere of public health in the region. The Conference is organised by the Faculty of Medicine in Skopje with financial support by FOSIM. At this occasion “The Interpreter for public health” published by FOSIM and the Faculty of Medicine in Skopje will be promoted.
| | | | | | | | Closing Conference
Transactional Expenses in Macedonian Economy
On May 26, 2006 at 9:00 in the Club of Parliamentarians in Skopje FOSIM organises the closing Conference of the “Identifying and measuring transactional expenses in Macedonian economy” project. Keynote speakers at the Conference are Vladimir Milcin, FOSIM’s executive director, and Fatmir Besimi, Minister of economy. Dr. Ljubomir Kekenovski, Faculty of Economics, Dr. Vanco Uzunov, Faculty of Law, MA Marjan Nikolov, Centre for economic analyses and Dr. Raymond Saner, Centre for social and economic development, Geneva, Switzerland, will have presentations at the Conference.
Aim of the Conference is to present the experience and recommendations resulted from the whole process that was going on in 2005 and to draw attention to the hidden expenses created by the inappropriate policies and institutions with incomplete functions.
Download the Agenda for the Conference>>> (.pdf, 140KB)
Download the detailed information about Transactional Expenses in Macedonian Economy Project >>> (.zip, 1 MB) | | | | Promotion
Guide through the Anticorruption Laws
On May 18, 2006 in Holliday Inn hotel in Skopje, Millennium 2 hall, the book Guide through the Anticorruption Laws will be promoted.
The book is part of the Public Sector Education Campaign Project. The aim of the project is to enhance the knowledge and raise awareness among the employees in public sector and the users of their services about the causes and consequences of corruption. The project was implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia and financially supported by International Organisation for Migration.
The book is an attempt for systematic presentation and explanation of the laws that oblige civil servants to legality, professionalism, integrity, efficiency and loyalty in their official responsibilities.
Authors of the book are Phd Miodrag Labovik, Police Academy in Skopje, Phd Nikola Tupancevski, Faculty of Law in Skopje and Phd Jadranka Dabovic Anastasovska, Faculty of Law in Skopje.
Please follow the link to download the invitation. | | | | | | | | FOSIM and SINTEF
Presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurial Service
On the occasion of the European Day of Entrepreneur 09.05.2006 a two-day Entrepreneurial Fair was organised at the Skopje Fair. Youth Entrepreneurial Service Foundation founded by FOSIM and SINTEF participated in the Fair with stand and presented its activities. For more information visit the www.yesincubator.org.mk web site. Follow the link (.pdf, 2.2MB) to see the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurial Service Project that was presented on the Fair. | | | | Macedonian Parliament
National Program for Educational Development Adopted
The Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia has adopted the “National Program for Educational Development 2005 – 2015” at the 129th plenary session held on April 18, 2006. In addition, the following accompanying program documents were accepted: program for development of pre-school education, program for development of primary education, program for development of secondary and post-secondary education, program for development of higher education, program for development of ICT in education, program for professional development of the education staff, program for development of institutional reforms, Program for provision and quality control of education, European Language Portfolio.
About 70 independent experts and representatives of the Ministry of education and science participated in the development process of the National Program for Educational Development and accompanying documents. Final version was shaped in the public debate in which relevant stakeholders of the educational sphere, as well as all interested Macedonian citizens participated in.
The project for creating the National Program for Educational Development in the Republic of Macedonia was funded by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia. | | | | | | | | New Opportunity for Cross-Cultural Cooperation
“The Heart of the Matter”
As a result of the conference “The Heart of the Matter”: What future for the Balkans in the EU?”(1 December 2005, The Hague, NL), European Cultural Foundation, Hivos, and the Open Society Institute (OSI) are launching a new funding-line for the Balkans. The funding-line will support activities aimed towards boosting European integration process through culture.
It is a three-year program (2006-2008). Grants will be awarded to NGOs working in the cultural sector. Special attention will be given to cross-cultural projects that aim at developing sustainable ties between communities in the region. The first deadline for the submission of projects is 1 July 2006.
Download the outline (.pdf, 37 MB)
| | | | Education and Career Days Fair
Participation of two FOSIM’s Projects
In the realms of Education and Career Days Fair going on in the premises of the Skopje Fair (April 4-9, 2006), USAID funded SEA project organises High Schools Fair (in Halls 3 and 4). Two FOSIM’s projects – Creative teaching and learning and Roma Education program - will participate in the event. On Friday (April 7) starting at 11 o’clock in the Fair’s Administrative facility there will be presentation of the Roma education program with presentation of the evaluation results of the high school component).
Apart from stands presentation, the Fair includes competitions, reviews and other events related to the projects implemented in the high schools.
| | | | | | | | In Metamorphosis
Computer Training for Roma Secondary School Students
Training for Roma secondary school students started on April 3, 2006 in the premises of the Metamorphosis Foundation. 19 Roma secondary school students will be trained to use computers. The attendees will learn the basic data processing and how to use the Windows XP operating system, basic MS Office applications – Word, Excel and PowerPoint - as well as internet basics.
The training is organised in the realms of the Roma Education Project implemented by Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia. | | | | Council of Europe and Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
Monitoring Roma Decade Action Plans
Council of Europe and Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Macedonia organised training on monitoring implementation of operational action plans for implementing Roma Decade in Skopje on March 30 and 31, 2006.
FOSIM representative attended the training. The training was supported by the Council of Europe and European Commission in the realms of the joint project “Equal Rights and Treatment of Roma”. Ms. Marbera Kamberi from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy held the introductory speech, while Ms Eleni Ceceku and Mr. Alan Philips from the Council of Europe elaborate on the Project and its objectives. The participants were introduced to the raising public awareness campaigns organised by the European Council, especially the Spanish experience and good practices of media presentation of the Roma.
| | | | | | | | Expert-Level Discussion
Draft Law on Misdemeanours and Draft Law on Administrative Case
On March 31, 2006 in Skopje FOSIM in cooperation with Ministry of Justice organised expert-level discussion on Draft Law on Misdemeanours and Draft Law on Administrative Case. The discussion was organised in the realms of the efforts for harmonisation of Macedonian legislation with the EU legislation.
In the introductory address Ms. Meri Mladenovska – Georgievska, Minister of Justice noted that she is convinced that proposals, suggestions and comments will contribute to improve the solutions, and to implement efforts for independent and efficient judiciary that presents fundamental pillar of every democratic society. Dr. Vlado Kambovski and Dr. Ana Pavlovska Daneva, Faculty of Law in Skopje, elaborate on the Laws. The discussion pointed the need the laws containing provisions for misdemeanours in specific spheres to be revised.
In the Draft Law on Misdemeanours the fine is proposed as a main sanction (more liberal approach to lighter forms of misdemeanours), abolition of prison sentence and security measures that are transformed in misdemeanours sanctions as well as the system for alternative sanctions. Important news are implementing misdemeanours’ sanctions for legal entities which is implementation of international act, measures for speeding up the process and legal edition of constitutional provision that will provide that a state body or other body with public authorities can process specific misdemeanours.
The following news in the Law on Administrative Case (harmonised with the amendments XX-XXX to the Constitution) have been discussed: establishment of Managing court for protection of administrative acts’ legality, extending the subject of administrative case, obligatory processing in full jurisdiction and publicity of the Managing court sessions. Participants suggested that people that can be elected judges apart from other qualifications must to be graduated on the Faculty of Law and to have passed Judicial Exam (referring to Article 21 of the Draft Law).
| | | | Panel Discussions
Macedonia and Eurointegration
A set of public panel discussions on “Process of joining of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union and perspectives” were held in Veles, Shtip, Prilep and Kichevo organised by the NGO Support Centres. Ms. Radmila Shekerinska, vice-president of the Government and Mr. Erwan Fouere, EU ambassador in Macedonia attend the panel discussion in Prilep.
Panel discussions are organised by FOSIM and the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) within the Macedonian Government. Citizens can join the discussions and talked with the SEA experts on topics related to Macedonia’s accession in the EU. These public events are part of the FOSIM’s campaign Europe Now. In April and May additional 9 panel discussions will be organised by the eight NGO Support Centres in Gevgelija, Debar, Delchevo, Kratovo, Negotino, Resen, Struga and Strumica and the Youth cultural centre in Bitola.
| | | | | | | | In NGO Support Centres
Panel Discussions on Eurointegration
In March, April and May 2006, FOSIM through the network of 12 NGO Support Centres and Youth cultural centre in Bitola and in cooperation with Secretariat for European affairs within Macedonian government organises series of public panel debates on “Process of joining of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union and perspectives”. These public events are part of the FOSIM’s campaign Europe Now.
Representatives of the Secretariat for European affairs will be the keynote speakers and they will talk about the current and future activities that Macedonia will encounter on its path towards EU. Representatives of the local self-government units, local NGOs, business sector, media and citizens will be invited to participate in the panel discussions and they will have the opportunity to talk with the experts. EU ambassador in Macedonia, Mr. Erwan Fouere, announced his presence at some of the panel discussions.
Public panel discussions scheduled in March >>> (.pdf, 120 KB)
| | | | Ministry of Education and Science and FOSIM
National Program for Education Development
On March 10, 2006 Ministry of education and science in cooperation with FOSIM organised press conference to present the documents adopted by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia the previous day: National program for education development in RM and associate development programs for preschool, primary, secondary and sub-secondary and higher education; as well as the programs for ICT development in education, for professional personnel development, for development of institutional support of the reforms in the educational system, for providing and controlling the quality in the educational system, and European language portfolio.
Minister of education and science, Dr. Azis Polozhani and FOSIM’s executive director, Mr. Vladimir Milchin, talked about the importance of these program documents. Short presentation of the mission of the National program and associate program documents had Dr. Tale Keramitchioski, with special attention on key areas of implementation of the predicted reforms.
| | | | | | | | Survey
“Citizens’ Information Needs on Local Level”
On March 10, 2006 the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) organized the presentation of the results of the survey: “Citizens’ Information Needs on Local Level”. The survey was conducted by the Macedonian office of BRIMA GALLUP, in December 2005, in 15 municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia: Debar, Kriva Palanka, Makedonski Brod, Demir Hisar, Berovo, Krusevo, Delcevo, Kocani, Vinica, Kratovo, Probistip, Resen, Valandovo, Sveti Nikole and Negotino.
This survey aimed to identify the manner and means used by the citizens to get information specific to their local communities; to identify the types, quantity, quality and regularity of information that the citizens get in their local communities; to estimate the interest of the local populations for the types of information of local character they need and the preferred media through which they would like to get the information; and to evaluate the ability of the local communities to provide financial support to the local media.
The survey of the local level needs for existence of local media was financially supported by FOSIM and OSCE Mission to Skopje.
| | | | Law Program
Project: Implementation of Free Access to Information of Public Character on Local Level
Third training for the 13 selected monitors on “Monitoring implementation of free access to information of public character on local level” was held on February 27 and 28, 2006 in hotel Gorica, Ohrid. Trainers were: Helen Darbishire, expert for right for free access to information, Accesses Info Europe and Thomas Patrick Carson, expert for preparing methodology for monitoring of the implementation of free access, Open Society Justice Initiative consultant, Budapest. The monitors come from the following NGOs: Coalition “All for fair trial”, Skopje; European Forum, Gevgelija; Kham, Delchevo; Women Association, Pehchevo; Extended life, Strumica; GIC Spectar, Shtip; Network 7, Shtip, Association for democratic values, Veles; ORT, Prilep and Kichevo; Tolerant youth, Debar; Forum for Roma Rights, Kumanovo; Sunrise, Sveti Nikole; and Promedia, Skopje.
Training on analyses of the monitoring reports was held in the premises of the Metamorphosis Foundation with the representatives of FOSIM, Metamorphosis Foundation and NGO ProMedia, on March 1 and 2, 2006 as a follow-up of the training in Ohrid. Metamorphosis Foundation participates in the project by developing FOI online helpdesk.
| | | | | | | | President Crvenkovski Visited NGO Support Centre in Strumica
On March 7th, 2006 President Branko Crvenkovski visited NGO Support Centre in Strumica as part of the visit to Strumica, and met representatives of ten NGOs from Strumica.
Local NGO representatives had the opportunity to present their activities and to ask the President for advice and help for certain activities.
Macedonian President was particularly interested in activities of the farmer association Frizer 99, as well as association Choice that works on counselling, treatment and re-socialising of the drug addicts.
Crvenkovski informed NGO representatives about the idea to organise national NGO meeting with about 60 NGOs to discuss the success of forthcoming parliamentary elections. He also stressed the importance of the elections for Macedonian future.
The meeting last for an hour and after the meeting the journalists asked questions on various topics.
Apart from president Crvenkovski, mayor of Strumica, Zoran Zaev, deputy minister for local self-government, Tanja Altandzieva, MPs Dragan Georgiev and Cvetanka Ivanova, president of the Council of Strumica municipality, Zoran Ristov and council member, Ognen Andonovski participated in the meeting with NGOs. | | | | Research
Content Need of the Electronic Media Audience
On February 27, 2006 Media development center organized public presentation of the of the results form the research “Content Need of the Electronic Media Audience in the Republic of Macedonia” conducted by the Institute for social, political and legal research. The research was presented by Ms. Emilija Simovska, Ph.D., Ms. Aneta Jovevska, Ph.D., and Mr. Klime Babunski M.A.
The research is funded by German IFA – Institute of foreign affairs and FOSIM.
This is one of the three research conducted in the first preparatory phase of the National Strategy for Broadcasting Development (the first research has been presented in December 2005 and can be seen on the FOSIM’s web site). The results of this research should be preparatory basis for formulation of the Strategy that should be adopted by the Macedonian Parliament. The first phase of the project is financed by OSCE, German IFA, FOSIM and Media network program, Budapest.
Download the PowerPoint presentation with the results, (.ppt, 73 KB).
| | | | | | | | New Project of the Youth NGOs
Youth in Action
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) and World Bank Office in Skopje organized press conference in the NGO Infocenter on February 28th, 2006. At the press conference an agreement about implementation of the project Youth in action: financial and technical assistance for youth NGOs for community oriented projects was signed.
Mrs. Sandra Blumenkamp, the World Bank's resident representative in Skopje, and Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director talked about the objectives of the project and the established cooperation, in which the Balkan Trust for Democracy also participates. Mrs. Slavica Indzevska, FOSIM’s director for joint programs presented the activities to be implemented in the following two years.
General objective of the project is to incite active participation of the youth and their cooperation with local communities on concrete activities about issues concerning young people. Specific objectives of the project are lobbying for adoption of National strategy for youth and youth policies, inciting youth participation in decision making and policy creation on local level, as well as cooperation between the youth NGOs, local governance and other stakeholders, strengthening capacities of youth NGOs and inciting youth to focus on practical actions, oriented towards concrete results. The project will be operationally implemented by FOSIM and in the funding (total budget $144.325) also participate World Bank, Balkan Trust for Democracy (with funds by SIDA) and FOSIM.
| | | | In FOSIM's Premises
Proposals and Conclusions of the Working Meeting on the Occasion of Draft Version of Law on Donations and Sponsorships
At the working meeting organised on the occasion of draft version of Law on donations and sponsorships in public sphere, held in the premises of the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia on February 16, 2006 with the representatives of civic sector, Foundation Mobimak, Foundation Boris Trajkovski, Customers’ Association, representative of European center for non-profit law in Budapest, OSCE and FOSIM the following proposals and conclusions were reached:
Proposals and conclusions regarding the draft version of Law on donations and sponsorships in public sphere, (.pdf, 110 KB)
| | | | | | | | USAID
Exhibition of Photos
US Agency for International Development (USAID) organises first traveling exhibition of photos from the projects that are implemented with USAID’s support. The exhibition will be opened in multimedia center Mala Stanica in Skopje (Zheleznichka 18) on February 22, 2006 at 19:00.
At the exhibition there are several photos from Roma Education Program and Creative Teaching and Learning Program implemented by the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia, and you can see one of the photos.
| | | | In FOSIM’s Premises
Working Meeting on the Occasion of Draft Version of Law on Donations and Sponsorships in Public Sphere
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia on the occasion of draft version of Law on donations and sponsorships in public sphere organises working meeting with representatives of NGOs, civic platform, Foundation Mobimak, Foundation Boris Trajkovski, Customers’ Association, Ministry of Finance, OSCE, GTZ, USAID etc. objective of the meeting is to discuss and comment on solutions of the draft version of the Law in order to reach suggestions that would be submitted to the nominators for finding more efficient solutions.
Actually, this Law was proposed by group of MPs and should be on Parliament’s Session on February 22, 2006. The Law is expected to be adopted by the middle of March. FOSIM’s opinion is that this Law should be adopted in regular and not in short procedure (as predicted) and that extensive need and situation assessment in Macedonia should be performed and suitable solutions based on the assessment to be reached.
The meeting will take place in FOSIM’s premises on February 16, 2006 (Thursday) starting at 15:00. | | | | | | | | FOSIM and Ministry of Justice
Public Debate on Law on Civil Society Associations and Foundations
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia in cooperation with Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia organises public debate on Draft Law on Civil Society Organisations and Foundations. The objective of the debate is to discuss and comment draft amendments to the Law in order to enhance them before being submitted to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.
Public debate will took place in the Holiday Inn Hotel (Skala Hall) on February 13th, 2006 from 11:00 to 15:30. Keynote speakers are Mrs. Zagorka Tnokovska, head of the department for state administration, election system and administrative jurisdiction at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia and Borche Davitkovski Ph.D. at the Faculty of Law “Justinian I” in Skopje.
Follow the links to view the list of invited entities and draft amendments to the Law.
List of invited entities (.pdf, 137 KB)
Draft amendments to the Law (.pdf, 167 KB)
| | | | Expert-Level Discussion
Draft Law on Misdemeanours and Draft Law on Administrative Case
On March 31, 2006 in Holiday Inn Hotel (Millennium 1 Hall) starting at 11 am FOSIM in cooperation with Ministry of Justice organise expert-level discussion on Draft Law on Misdemeanours and Draft Law on Administrative Case.
Key-note speakers are: Dr. Vlado Kambovski, Faculty of Law in Skopje, Dr. Ana Pavlovska Daneva, Faculty of Law in Skopje, Ms. Rahilka Stojkovska, head of department for prosecution, Ministry of Justice and Cvetan Angeleski, head of department at state administrative inspectorate, Ministry of Justice. Ms. Meri Mladenovska – Georgievska, Minister of Justice will address the audience.
The objective of the discussion is to discuss and comment the two drafted laws in order to enhance their content, in the realms of the efforts for harmonisation of Macedonian legislation with the EU legislation.
Draft Law on Administrative Case (.pdf, 280 KB)
Draft Law on Misdemeanours (.pdf, 490 KB)
Agenda (.pdf, 95 KB)
List of participants (.pdf, 112 KB) | | | | | | | | With the support of FOSIM
New Edition of the Constitution with the Amendments
Ministry of Justice with the support of FOSIM published new edition of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Edition encompasses all amendments made to the Constitution: in 1992, 1008, 2001 and the latest amendments made in 2005. | | | | Workshop for the staff of the Pedagogical Faculties in Macedonia
Curriculum Development in the light of the Bologna Process
A group of 50 professors, assistant professors and Deans and vice-deans of the three Pedagogical faculties in Macedonia (Skopje, Stip and Bitola) participated in a three day workshop (January 29th - February 1st 2006) in Ohrid . The aim of the workshop was to help the management and teaching staff to learn and better understand the Bologna Process, curriculum design for a certain profile that they produce in which a starting point should be the competences that future teachers in Macedonia should have. Mr. Volker Gehmlich, an eminent professor who has participated in the creation of the Bologna Process, and who is a councelor for introducing European Credit Transfer System all over European and other countries was a lecturer at the workshop.
The workshop is part of the activities of the Creative Teaching and Learning project of the Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, implemented with the funds provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). | | | | | | | | Petition
Prompt Adoption of Modern Law on Free Access to Information
Nongovernmental organisations ARTICLE 19, Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia, PRO MEDIA and Transparency Macedonia send open letter to the President of the Republic of Macedonia, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia and the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia stating their concerns regarding the weaknesses in the latest Draft Law on Free Access to Information, as well as lacking of real progress towards its adoption.
The letter that was signed by 126 Macedonian civil society organisations appeals for prompt adoption of the Law on Free Access to Information that considers the recommendations given by the ARTICLE 19, Global Campaign for Free Expression and is consistent with international standards.
The Letter (.pdf, 1.2 MB)
Comments on the Draft Law on Free Access to Information (.pdf, 1.25 MB)
| | | | Press Conference
Youth in Action: Financial and Technical Assistance for Youth NGOs for Community Oriented Projects
Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia (FOSIM) and the World Bank Office in Skopje inviting you on the press conference to promote the project Youth in action: financial and technical assistance for youth NGOs for community oriented projects.
The press conference will take place in NGO Infocenter in Skopje (City Wall, block 8, across the Green Market) on February 28, 2006 starting at 10 am.
Mrs. Sandra Blumenkamp, the World Bank's resident representative in Skopje, Mrs. Slavica Indzevka, FOSIM’s director for joint programs and Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director will address the audience.
The project is financed by the World Bank Office in Skopje, Balkan trust for democracy and FOSIM. The project will be implemented by FOSIM in 2006-2007.
For more information please contact:
Marijana Ivanova
Public Relations Coordinator
02/2444-488, ext. 127
070/709-289
mivanova@soros.org.mk
Skopje, 24.02.2006
| | | | | | | | Creative Teaching and Learning Project
Winter Camp in Ohrid
From 15th to 18th of January, 2006, 76 high school students with different ethnic background will have the chance to participate at the winter camp in Ohrid, organised as a part of the Creative Teaching and Learning Project.
Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia organises the camp in cooperation with one of the project partners, the Youth Educational Forum, for the students who have been part of the Debate and the Street law programs during the academic school year. Through interactive workshops including team work, discussions, simulations and games, students will gain advanced knowledge about the phases of making laws and also to create a draft law proposal; create a constitution of an imaginary multicultural country; take role in a mock trial; learn the elements of debate and haw to prepare arguments and will improve their capability of critical thinking.
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