11/08/1998

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, I would like to congratulate the Authorities of Portugal for organizing and hosting this important World Conference and extend our gratitude for inviting us all in wonderful Lisbon to discuss questions relevant to Youth in such outstanding conditions.

Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellencies,
Heads and Members of the Delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour and pleasure as the Head of the delegation to have this opportunity to address this outstanding international gathering and share with you our experience in implementing The World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond. Republic of Macedonia, country with population of about 2 million, out of which 16% are young people ranging in age from 15 to 24 years, is facing problems and questions typical for the countries in transition, in the last years. But there are certain specificities.

In solving them, in the global approach, we accept all ideas and practical solutions present in international framework and we are always ready to cooperate in those fields.

Let me present some issues relevant to young people in the Republic of Macedonia.

In the Republic of Macedonia youth related issues are treated in several Ministries responsible for education, science, welfare, health, employment, culture and sport.

Young people are associated in about 30 national organizations and associations. They are concentrated in young political movements and non governmental organizations treating social, educational, cultural and scientific life of young people.

All of them are united in the Youth Council of Macedonia, member of the European and World Non Governmental Association of Youth and observer in the Youth Forum of European Union.

Government of the Republic of Macedonia supports educational and scientific researches, projects and programmes realized by youth associations and organizations, in the country and abroad.

In the last years, in the so called transitional period, crucial changes, concerning youth, were made in the sphere of education, since the change of the quality of education, results with dynamic positive movement in the whole society.

Adopting the adequate legislation in the sphere of education and changes in the Curricula initiated the first group of changes.

The second group of changes took place in the educational institutions. With significant number of changes we joined European and especially East European countries in the global process of changes in the secondary and in higher education, respecting the reality both from the aspect of needs and from the aspect of objective possibilities for their realization.

Democratization of education remains the basic orientation in the concept of modern educational system. I have in mind here, equal opportunities for education, at all levels, for all interested candidates, under equal conditions, with equal chances if all enrollment criteria are met successfully.

In this direction, one of the priorities of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia is affirmation of the personal civil rights of the minorities in education defined by the Constitution, legislation and obligations coming from conventions, resolutions, recommendations and declarations from the Council of Europe and United Nations, making space, at the same time, for nursing the national characteristics.

I will mention here the fact that, in primary and secondary education, both in the normative aspect and in reality, education in mother tongue is provided for the minorities.

To obtain higher inclusion in the system of higher education, the Government provides additional quota for minorities to the number of enrolled students up to the percent each minority is present in the whole population of the Republic of Macedonia. That policy gives results. For example, in academic 1991/92 there were 302 enrolled students and in academic 1997/98, number of enrolled minority students increased to 1073.

Here I will mention that significant progress is noted in inclusion of young minority girls not only in primary education, but in secondary as well. Long patriarhal tradition and religious norms for girls, especially in rural areas, still result with lower presence of girls in the system of education.

In the framework of changes, civic education as a new subject, increased learning of foreign languaqes at all levels and computer studies reflecting the needs and wishes of young people in the Republic of Macedonia for educational and cultural mobility in Europe and wider.

Universal values of sport have underlined importance in the Republic of Macedonia, in the time of dramatic changes, economical and social problems, unemployment, sense of no perspective, identity crises, which mostly strike the young people. Sporting of young people is the right alternative to taking drugs, alcohol, and other vices which are spreading fast among young people.

Sport has exceptionally important mission among young people, in nursing the culture of healthy life style, psycho-physical development of individuals, their socialization, interethnic integration, creating personalities with positive energy ready to face life challenges. Sport life of young people is realized at schools, at universities and in numerous sport associations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Young people in the Republic of Macedonia, just as in many other countries, face the problems and challenges which the transitional period, we are experiencing, imposes. Republic of Macedonia encounters many economic problems, which directly strike young people. Employment in general, employment of young people in particular, realization of their cultural needs, higher quality of living, are permanent concern of the Government. In that direction the Government of the Republic of Macedonia acted with set of measures in the sphere of employment and in students' standard.

This kind of vocational education includes both girls and boys equally. Equal educational opportunities are in fact Constitutional category in the Republic of Macedonia.

For the academic 1998/99 free textbooks are provided for all the students in primary education, according its Constitutional position. At the same time significant increase of the number of governmental scholarships and credits for students is made for the coming academic year.

Considering the increase of drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, which are in fact worldwide problems striking young people, Republic of Macedonia is not an exception. Respectfully adequate steps on national level including international efforts for suppressing this evil are being undertaken. It is encouraging that many non governmental youth associations are acting educationally in this field.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me, at the end, to mention extremely complex situation in the region were Republic of Macedonia exists. Dangers of escalation of interethnic and other conflicts are present and they strongly affect young people.

Therefore our responsibility to overcome those conflict situations is underlined for the sake of young people. I hope that international community will find strength to prevent spreading of the conflicts. My country takes and will take all necessary steps.

At this Conference we will talk about the problems of the young people, exchange views, make suggestions and decisions.

The effect of all these is not sufficient if we all are not convinced that, in the cruel world of adults, we are the ones to bear the difficult human responsibility - to give the young people the chance for future they deserve. This is my appeal to all of You, not only as a minister but as a human being and a parent.

Thank You.