Skopje Mission helps young mountaineers reach higher level of understanding

Boosting opportunities for dialogue

The beautiful lakes and mountains in the country's north-western region beckon to be explored, but there are few guides for adventure-seeking tourists, despite the high unemployment in this multi-ethnic area.

Activists from the local Federation of Mountaineering Sports decided to tackle the issue this autumn by training young people to become mountaineering guides. Their OSCE-supported project, dubbed "Trails of Communication", aims not only to address unemployment and lack of communication, but also to foster positive social experiences among young people of different ethnic backgrounds.

"Young people lack employment and social opportunities, particularly in the north-western region," says Ambassador Natalya Drozd, Acting Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, "and this often leads to divisions and a lack of motivation."

"During the training course, future mountaineering guides will improve their communication skills and have an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the advantages of different cultures," adds Goranco Tintoski, project manager from the Federation of Mountaineering Sports. Founded in 1945, the Federation is the country's oldest alpine club.

Most of the country's 76 mountaineering clubs have few young people in general, but they are especially short on ethnic Albanian alpine guides. "Once participants obtain their guides' licences, they will be able to lead tourist groups and promote long distance mountain hiking in the three National Parks," says Tintoski.

So far, 32 young people, mainly from the areas of Tetovo, Debar, Gostivar, Mavrovo, Ohrid and Struga, have taken part in the course. To support the project, the OSCE Mission has provided equipment and financial assistance.

Nature's common language

Tetovo University student Fatmire Izaki participated in the course held at the scenic Lake Matka, near Skopje. "It is not easy to find a job and meet new friends in Tetovo. I am grateful that, thanks to this OSCE-supported project, I will have the possibility of getting my guide's licence and hopefully a new job. But I will have much more than a certificate - I have already made many new friends," she says.

"Mountains unite us. There, we do not think of ourselves as being from different cultures. The natural surroundings help us speak a common language," Izaki explains.

Sanela Silyanovska, a student from Skopje University, does volunteer work for a Roma non-governmental organization. She says that the training opportunity has increased her understanding of diverse cultures. "I have been observing different people in different situations and have come to the conclusion that we are all the same - we share the same values and have the same dreams," she says.

Too busy to talk politics

The Federation of Mountaineering Sports' philosophy embraces harmony with nature as well as with one another. "We never talk about inter-ethnic relations; we never talk about politics," says Kostantin Ciriviki, Director of the Federation's Education Department.

"Mountains have a special atmosphere, special energy. Mountaineering guides have to rely on each other - there is no other option. Sometimes their lives depend on it," he says. Although improving inter-ethnic relations is not the main goal of the Federation's members, it comes naturally. They judge one another not on their ethnicity, but on how good they are at reading maps or cooking on an open fire.

The club's members are professionals not only in mountaineering, but also in promoting regional co-operation and public outreach. For more than two years, the Federation has published the magazine "Korab", which includes sections on Albania, Bulgaria and Serbia in addition to local information. Pictures and stories about extreme trips attract not only new members, but also future investors and sponsors, which is critical for the Federation's financial viability.

"And as long as the alpine club stays active," says Ambassador Drozd, "it will continue through training and outreach activities to encourage young people to participate, providing them with social and employment opportunities."