NDC Skopje organized study visit in Northern Ireland hosted by NICIE

From 6-7^th of November 2017, Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje organized a study visit in Northern Ireland that was hosted by the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education. The study visit was attended by the following members: Veton Zekolli, Biljana Krsteska- Papic, Sonaj Bilal from NDC Skopje, Safet Neziri- the State Advisor from Ministry for education and science, Sasho Shareski- Principal of PS Goce Delcev, Gostivar, Sefer Elmazi vice-principal of PS Goce Delcev-Gostivar, Biljana Rahmanova – Taseva Principal of PS Goce Delcev- Bitola, Jadranka Popovski-Principal of PS Bratstvo- Skopje, Radica Acevska and Misrada Idrizi -teachers from PS Liria- Tetovo, Zujca Stojanova -psychologist from PS Goce Delcev- Konce.

The purpose of this visit was to increase awareness of the work of NICIE, strengthen links between NICIE and NDC Skopje and to visit a range of integrated schools in order to gain deeper insight into integration in practice and leadership for integration.

On the first day of the study visit, the delegation had meetings in NICIE premises, hosted by NICIE CEO, Roisin Marshall and Paula McIlwaine and met with the Association of Principal Teachers in Integrated schools (APTIS) Steering Committee: Patricia Murtagh (Hazelwood IPS), Nigel Arnold (Glengormley CIPS), Christine Boal (Crumlin CIPS). The first day of the visit was completed with NDC Skopje presentations and Q&A session at the Parliament Building.

The presentations were prepared by Biljana Krsteska- Papic, Manager of NDC Skopje Training Centre, Veton Zekolli, NDC Skopje Project Manager and Sonaj Bilal, NDC Skopje Coordinator for training education and development.

On the second day of the study visit, the delegation visited Loughview Integarted Primary School where they were hosted by Mr. Michael McKnight, Principal of Loughview IPS. The delegation had the opportunity to learn more about the history of the school as well as meet with the pupils and school staff. The second day of the study visit continued with e meeting with Mr. Paul Caskey, Campaigns Manager of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF). The information presented to the delegation were of great importance in terms of sharing best practices in fundraising and campaign management to support and promote integrated education.

Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje wholeheartedly thanks the colleagues from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education for the great hospitality and the wonderful meetings in integrated schools and institutions relevant to our field of work.