High Commissioner Thors in Skopje: Integration is needed to avoid parallel societies

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors discussed the government’s plans to address the ethnic divide in society during her visit to Skopje, Tetovo and Struga from 9 to 12 December 2014. In Skopje, Thors discussed with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Fatmir Besimi a possible set of government-owned initiatives that would signal the authorities’ commitment to integration.

In Tetovo, Thors joined Education and Science Minister Abdilaqim Ademi and Tetovo Mayor Teuta Arifi at the Bratstvo-Migjeni primary school where Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje (NDC Skopje) is implementing its model of ethnically-mixed extracurricular classes.  She participated in a roundtable discussion organized by NDC Skopje and moderated by Director Sasho Stojkovski about the risks of separation in schools in Tetovo and possible measures to address these risks. NDC Skopje were the winners of 2011 Max van der Stoel Award (see: www.osce.org/hcnm/117222).

“The government needs to invest in integrated education to foster a sense of shared belonging among ethnic communities and to avoid creating parallel societies that have limited communication across the ethnic divide,” Thors said. “We must reach out to parents to ensure that they are confident about their children participating in these activities.”

The High Commissioner also visited Struga municipality where she discussed current challenges in inter-ethnic relations. She paid particular attention to the position of those identifying as Torbeshi, or Macedonian‑speaking Muslims, especially in the education system, and heard about the concerns of this community.