Delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina visits NDC Skopje

In the period September 20-21st, 2013 NDC Skopje hosted a delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina consisted of representatives of the government of Herzegovina – Neretva Canton. The delegation was led by the Prime Minister- Denis Lasić, the Minister for Education, Culture and Sport- Zlatko Hadžiomerović, the Chief of Cabinet within Prime Minister’s office- Veselko Ćerkez and the Adviser of the Minister for ECS- Amir Kadribegović. The visit was organized by Nansen Dialogue Centre Mostar and is part of the efforts undertaken to improve the quality of education and introduction of the concept for integrated education in the Herzegovina – Neretva Canton. The government representatives were eager to learn more about NDC Skopje’s journey and activities during the preparatory phase and the actual establishment of integrated education in Macedonia. On this occasion, the NDC Skopje office organized several meetings and consultations with key stakeholders and supporters of the initial idea and integrated education concept.

On September 20th, 2013, the delegation met with the Mayor of Jegonovce municipality- Toni Koceski where they discussed about the challenges faced during the start-up of the project Nansen model for integrated education as well as the benefits that this project brought to the entire community. After the meeting in the Jegunovce municipality, the delegation visited the first primary and secondary integrated schools in Preljubishte where they met the teachers and students and attended and integrated extracurricular activity in the secondary school. In Skopje, the delegation was hosted by the Minister for Environment and Physical Planning- Abdulaqim Ademi who was been a key supporter during the introduction phase of the project Dialogue and Reconciliation as well as the Nansen model for integrated education. Mr. Ademi shared his personal views and perspectives regarding the efforts and preparations that need to be undertaken in order to achieve positive results in the field of integration and that persistence is the key while implementing projects of this nature.

During the visit, the delegation had a meeting in the Ministry for Education and Science where they were welcomed by the deputy Minister for Education- Safet Neziri. Mr. Neziri gave and overview of the general education environment in the Republic of Macedonia and the key factors that need to be considered while gradually introducing the concept for integrated education for the first time. The accent was put on the necessity of good communication between government officials of different ethnic backgrounds as a strong message to the grassroots community.

On September 21st, 2013, the delegation visited the premises of NDC Skopje where they got more closely acquainted with the work of the center and how the entire process was initiated, including the preparatory consultations and all other phases prior to the opening and establishment of the first integrated schools.

NDC Skopje Executive Director- Sasho Stojkovski held a presentation on the program for Dialogue and reconciliation that was the basis for the further development of the Nansen model for integrated education. Mr. Stojkovski presented the structure and results of the project as well as all the challenges that were faced during the initial phases. Afterwards, the Manager for Education, training and development- Biljana Krsteska Papic presented the development path of the Nansen model for integrated education with all its characteristics and acquisitions. Later, the delegation had the opportunity to learn more about the NDC Skopje Training Centre for integrated education and its important role in the integrated education sphere.

NDC Skopje will continue to share its best practices locally and regionally, and will continue to provide the necessary support and expertise in order to support the integrated education processes as an educational trend and tendency.

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