Macedonia

Macedonia ranks as a lower middle-income country with Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of around US$1,700. Despite being a middle-income country, poverty levels in Macedonia remain significant. Of a population of around 2 million, approximately 23% live below the national poverty line.

In addition to concentrations of poverty, Macedonia also has gaps in its policy agendas, a weak institutional capacity to manage reform, and restricted, volatile access to private capital flows.
Macedonia is expected to accede to the European Union (EU) by the end of the decade.

The Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens; however, there are problems in several areas. There has been an improvement in the human rights situation, although there are continuing allegations of ill-treatment by security officials. The trafficking of women and girls for forced prostitution continues. Domestic violence against women has remained widespread but prosecutions are rare.

Even though the Republic of Macedonia has undergone changes in the last two decades, fundamental questions still remain to be resolved in regards to the to inter-ethnic relationship among its ethnic mosaic. One would expect that after the demise of the Yugoslavian Communism, the Republic of Macedonia, after declaring its independence, would tend towards establishing democratic society with full human, civil and cultural rights for its citizens, without discrimination against religious, racial and ethnic background. Instead, the post communist era Macedonian state has engaged in human rights violation against Albanians, Turks and other nationalities.

Although Macedonia is ranked as a low prevalence country, the HIV/AIDS and Young People’s Health Program faces some serious issues: the chronic lack of data, little or no access to youth friendly services, the lack of a supportive environment combined with stigma and discrimination towards most-at-risk adolescents and people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. To strengthen a strategic and sustainable approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, UNICEF supports national initiatives such as the channeling of funds from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the establishment of the second generation surveillance systems and data collection on HIV/AIDS and young people; the assessment of existing services for young people and measures to integrate youth-friendly service approaches into ongoing public sector reform.

According to the WHO organization, by the end of 2004, authorities in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had reported a cumulative total of 70 HIV cases; they also reported that 51 infected individuals had developed AIDS, including 48 who died. For the year 2004, they reported 6 new HIV cases, 3 new AIDS cases and 3 AIDS deaths. The first case of HIV in the republic was reported in 1987, the first case of AIDS in 1989 and the first three AIDS deaths in 1990. HIV in the country is predominantly transmitted through heterosexual contact. As of 2003, 86% of the cumulative HIV cases had documented transmission modes; of these known cases, 61% were attributed to heterosexual sex, 11% to men having sex with men, 9% to injecting drug use and 5% to vertical transmission (mother to child). As in the neighboring countries, the vast majority of cases are concentrated in the country’s major urban centers.

Males represent more than twice as many reported cases as women (68.6% of the total). The real number of HIV cases is unknown, but it is estimated to be fewer than 100. In 2005, limited access to HAART is being provided with funding from GFATM for five patients.

The country has a diversified and potentially sound economic base. Industry is the dominant sector, accounting for 35% of Gross Social Product (GSP) and 39,9% of employment. However, most of the technologies in the industrial sector are outdated and do not comply with environmental standards of the European Union (EU).

In spite of lower production levels, industries continue to be the major polluters. Old inefficient production technologies, inadequate waste control equipment and week environmental enforcement are the primary causes for industrial pollution. In general, the areas of significant environmental concerns in Macedonia are located near large urban areas, with industrial sources being the major polluters. The present environmental issues are related to past economic policies and a weak environmental management system. Some of the crucial environmental issues in the country are poor air quality in Veles and Skopje, polluted surface water due to discharge of untreated wastewater, and inadequate solid and hazardous waste management system.

The reduced industrial production in the last five years decreased the level of pollutants being discharged in air, water and soil compared to the 1980s. However, if industries resume previous levels of production, without proper environmental checks the pollution load to various media will increase. It is expected in future that the ongoing economic and social reform will have a favorable influence on the environment. Large polluting industries are expected to be restructured to be more efficient and less polluting. Also, energy and other resource consumption should decline, with price liberalization and industrial reforms promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

The introduction of "polluter pays" and "user pays" principles in environmental policy will further reduce pollution, minimizing clean-up and promoting rational use of natural resources.

Based on UNICEF’s information for Macedonia, while the national enrollment rate for primary education stands at around 97%, there is an average national drop-out rate of 2% that soars to 10% in Roma and Turkish communities according to the latest assessment. The causes include poor quality teaching, especially in rural areas, traditional negative attitudes towards girls’ education and pervasive ethnic discrimination against some ethnic groups. While education is free to all by law, the high costs of schooling, such as the cost of books and other school supplies, can exclude poor children.

The educational system in the Republic of Macedonia is made of primary, secondary, high and higher education. In Macedonia, there is 8 years compulsory education for the children which is free of charge. This is the first stage of the education system, where subjects that are studied included: Macedonian, Mathematics, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Music, Art, Physical education, English and General Technical education. The second stage is High School, in which the first two years, the common subjects are studied and the last two years the students specialise in the field of their choice. We must mention that during each year the students have to study up to 15 subjects. These include the common one's like Macedonian, Mathematics, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Music, Art, Physical education, English or German, and plus in the last two years the subjects that are related to the field that they choose. The third stage of education is University, which is studied in eight or ten semesters. In the first semester, students who have finished High School or who have passed the entry test can now be enrolled. After finishing the studies some of the students continue with postgraduate studies.

As a result of the significant number of different ethnicities in Macedonia such as Albanians, Turks and Serbs, the Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia regulates the education of ethnic minorities. "The representatives of the ethnic minorities have the right to education in their languages in the primary and secondary education in a way determined by law. In the schools where the education is in the language of the ethnic minority, the Macedonian language is also taught.

Balkan IDEA Skopje --Promotion and support of regional cooperation and common actions of young people in the Balkans, as best tool for effective and efficient problem solving and achievement of common goals!

Roma Women ORGANIZATION IN Macedonia DAJA—Roma Women Organization of Macedonia “DAJA” from Kumanovo is nongovernmental, nonprofit, nonpolitical and first Roma women organization in Macedonia and the Balkan, with headquarters in Kumanovo. RWOM “DAJA” is established on 06/06/1993 with aim to provide help to Roma population on several fields. Daja base its project on state official information considering the status of Roma in Republic of Macedonia, but as well on its own researches on education, health, economy and gender, as fields where are located most of the problems of our target group, which the organization realizes in continuation.

European House Skopje—European House Skopje is non-governmental and non-partisan organization open for public and for every citizen that contributes to the promotion of the European values in Republic of Macedonia and the affirmation of the Macedonian values and culture outside Macedonia. The vision of this organization is to see Macedonia as an equal member of the European Union. Some goals for the mission include Promoting European values; To enhance the civil society development; Strengthen the democratic process of governance; Sustainable development of local community; Promotion of new culture of change; Conflict management.

Women’s Organization in Macedonia—The Organization of women's organizations of Macedonia is a national network of women's organizations which work for improvement of the position of women in the society and reaching gender equality. It works on different issues, such as: unemployment, women in the politics, fight against trafficking in women, family violence, it also works on education of any kind to improve and upgrade knowledge and skills of women and men as well.

Youth Forum EYE—Youth Forum EYE is a dynamic organization of young people, who have ideas about improving multiethnic and open society in Republic of Macedonia. They also support international 'youth exchange' programs, which will improve the integration with European values and European integration. The organization aims to inspire and help positive social and economic changes.

HANSM—the Non-Profit Single Moms and Dads Organization. HANSM is dedicated to providing resources, support and information to all single parents. Their mission is to provide a hub that has collectively gathered other web sites, articles, information and support boards and so much more, for any one looking for single parent information.

AIESEC Macedonia—Develop students into becoming tomorrow's global leaders through:
Management and running of day-to-day activities in each AIESEC Chapter and Participating in International Traineeship Exchange Program. Leader Macedonia—mission is to raise the awareness of the importance of the leaders in our society and to train new and emerging leaders.

ALFA International—ALFA international was registered as a public charitable organization in the year 2004 under group of the intellectual people in Gostivar area ( Macedonia). The basic aim is to improve the conditions of the rural poor especially women and children in the village of its working area, regardless of gender, race or nationality. Bring a better future by providing opportunities for different activities of training, education, and shelter.

Ecological Organization Romane—the first Roma Ecological Organization and youth activity " ROMANE "found in 12.06.200 from Macedonia which is independent citizens and non-governmental also non-profitable organization what works on motivation and development of the ecological conscience and solving the problems of the ecological nature, keeping and promotion also protection of environment and development of the ecological conscience of the population. There already are 270 members from little till old ages and every day the number of members is raising.

Civil NGO for Human Rights and Development of Civil Society - promotion and implementation of the ideas for peace, reconciliation and disarmament to provide development of the society and human rights.

Citizen’s Association MOST - MOST’s mission is to build a more democratic, stable & prosperous Macedonia by involving citizens in activities and programs that insure government, political and electoral institutions are accountable, transparent and responsive to citizen concerns. By increasing citizen involvement, MOST believes it can play a valuable role in strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Macedonia.

PEL—Association for progress, education and lobbying - PEL is founded with one aim to promote and improve the situation of young people and women in all areas of social life mainly through education.

Youth Information Center— The goals of this Center are raising multi-ethnic understanding and ethnic tolerance among the people of different ethnic backgrounds and improvement of the living conditions and the standard of life by developing self-recovery schemes.

ETNO Center - an NGO in FYRO Macedonia that works with projects about ethnical tolerance in a post war period in our country. Some of the work includes : food projects (AGAPE) donor; helping children with trauma in a conflict zone ( CRS ) finding donors for their projects for a pure people in their country.

Citizen’s Association—Citizens association "Sun rising" stands and works for the development of youth involvement in Macedonia, cultural development and education for every child in Macedonia; and promotion of all kinds of youth cooperation regardless of ethnical, cultural and other differences.

Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Macedonia—The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of Macedonia is a non-governmental organizations which major duty is to observe and inform, on local and international level, on the respect for the human rights, in accordance to the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and other accompanying documents which determine the international standards for the respects of human rights.

European Center for Integration—European Center for Integration is new non-governmental, non-profit organization which aim is to develop democracy and civil society, bringing the citizens of Macedonia closer to European integration process, building stronger confidence between different ethical groups, cooperation with other similar organization from abroad, cooperation and providing help to other association of citizens and NGO's, bringing on the higher level the ecological consciousness of the peoples, taking care after old people. This organization is association of citizens formed whit equal cooperation among its members.

EUROKULTURA—The civil association Eurokultura is a non-party organization founded by free civil association for carrying out activities for promoting and affirmation the idea for developing democratic, multiethnic, multicultural and civil society. To achieve its program goals Eurokultura will cooperate with other organizations from the country or abroad, with similar program definitions. Eurokultura will make efforts to promote the Republic of Macedonia as a multiethnic and multicultural modern jurisdiction and democratic country through its various forms of activity. Eurokultura as an organization offers to its member’s possibility to promote their ideas, attitudes and solutions in solving the existing problems.

Volunteer Macedonia - Student World Assembly is looking for volunteers with a strong interest in Global Democracy and Human Rights to research schools in their area and recruit members for the organization. This will only apply to interested persons who wish to carry out volunteer work in their immediate area.

Assitant—Sonce needs volunteer to work with young Roma and Romani women. Her/his main objective should be directed toward creating motivation for self-organizing and volunteering within the community as well as the development of small scale surveys and projects. Duration - 3 to 6 months. Sonce offers monthly salary on local level (app.160 euro); all other costs should be covered by the volunteer. Contact e-mail: khamnrp@mt.net.mk or alexandra.b@mt.net.mk