More than 100 participants from North Macedonia and the Balkans region, including policymakers, school principals, teachers, civil society organisations, experts, and other relevant stakeholders, gathered in Ohrid on 22-23 June for the launching conference of the project "Quality Education for All - North Macedonia", implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany, with the aim of promoting democracy and human rights through education. The conference served as a platform for sharing experiences where participants could engage in meaningful discussions on the promotion of democratic values and human rights within an educational setting.
The Minister of Education, Mr. Jeton Shaqiri, expressed wholehearted support for the project's activities. Recognising the importance of education in promoting democratic values and human rights, he emphasised the government's commitment to enhancing educational practices that nurture active citizenship and civic engagement.
One of the main highlights of the conference were the keynote presentations on the Council of Europe's endeavours in the field of education for democratic citizenship and human rights education. The Council's flagship project, the Reference Framework for Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC), was prominently featured as a tool to equip young people with the necessary competences to defend and promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It also focuses on enabling active participation in democratic cultures and fostering peaceful coexistence in multicultural societies.
Throughout the conference, participants had the opportunity to share and discuss national and regional experiences, innovations and lessons learned from the implementation of the RFCDC elsewhere. These valuable exchanges aimed to provide insights into successful practices and address challenges faced by educators in the region.
The conference's impact is expected to extend beyond the event itself. By connecting policymakers, educators, and stakeholders from the Balkans region, it fostered a collaborative network for the ongoing development and promotion of democratic education practices. Through these collective efforts, North Macedonia and its neighbouring countries aim to create a supportive environment that nurtures democratic values, human rights awareness, and active civic engagement among the younger generation.
The "Educating for Democratic Culture - From Policy to Practice" conference marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of quality education and the advancement of democratic principles in North Macedonia. With the commitment and dedication of the participants, this initiative strives to shape a brighter and more inclusive future for the region.
