OSCE Mission contributes to International Summer University in Bitola

SKOPJE, 9 July 2007 - Gender and discrimination are the focus of two courses funded by the OSCE Mission to Skopje at this year's International Summer University, launched in Bitola today.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Natalya Drozd, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, said that education is a vital element in conflict prevention and helps to build tolerant and integrated societies.

"The OSCE Mission to Skopje is committed to facilitating integration and improved communication between different ethnic groups, and also to de-politicizing education, developing democratic school governance and increasing access to higher education for under-represented groups," added Ambassador Drozd.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) funded two courses, on "Gender, Ethnicity and Democracy" and "Principles of Non-Discrimination under International Law," in line with the European "Year of Equal Opportunities for All."

Nik Heerens, Project Manager from the Dutch Academic Training Association (ATA) said: "The issues of gender and discrimination are important cross-cutting topics that are of interest to students from a variety of areas of study. In combination with the other legal, political and economic topics offered, we really have a wide-ranging programme to offer to such a diverse group of students."

The International Summer University, managed by the ATA, will last for two weeks and will gather more than 500 students from the region.

The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science, the University Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, the SEE University, the University Kliment Ohridski in Bitola and the State University of Tetovo.