OSCE Mission to Skopje promotes tolerance among Kicevo students

SKOPJE, 17 October 2008 - Breaking stereotypes and promoting tolerance among students of different ethnic groups living in Kicevo is the aim of a project launched in Dojran today.

The project, initiated by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, is financed by the High Commissioner on National Minorities and implemented by the Macedonian Civic Education Centre (MCEC). Students will interact, socialize and learn about diversity, which is key to developing an integrated and peaceful society.

"This project builds upon the positive results seen in a similar project in Kumanovo. We hope to further promote peaceful co-existence and mutual respect among high school students from different ethnic groups," said Bernard Segarra, the Head of the OSCE Mission's Confidence-Building Department.

Tulaha Tahir, MCEC Project Co-ordinator, added: "The new skills acquired by participants will help overcome inter-ethnic tensions in schools and communities, and promote peaceful co-existence and co-operation."

The project follows a study conducted by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities that identified the need to increase inter-ethnic interaction in the country's educational system.