OSCE Skopje Mission funds summer camp to educate youth on democracy-building and economy

SKOPJE, 14 August 2006 - A ten-day youth camp focusing on economy and democratization and funded by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje opened at the Prespa lake today.

The summer camp offers activities designed to promote dialogue among 60 boys and girls from different ethnic groups and from all over the country. The focus of the activities is to empower the participants, who are between 16 and 19 years old, to become more active citizens through democracy-building and economic activities.

"It is clear that the ongoing reforms in your country need improved dialogue among different communities, as well as good leadership," Ambassador Natalya Drozd, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, told the participants at the opening ceremony.

"This camp will also give you an opportunity to develop skills that will equip you in shaping your future lives. We encourage you to share what you have learned during this summer camp with your families, friends and communities."

Maja Stoevska, a third-year high school student from Kriva Palanka, said: "The topics that will be covered during this camp are fundamental for the development of every young person."

"We should all work together towards the improvement of the economy in the country, in order to decrease unemployment and to stop corruption, so that our young democracy can be strengthened. We must also work towards promoting the respect for human rights regardless of people's ethnicity, gender and religion."

The camp is organized by the Youth Centre, Open Space, which is part of the non-governmental organizations network, Union of Women's Organizations.