Skopje - The new USAID Interethnic Integration in Education Project is a 4-year initiative in support of ethnic integration in Macedonia.  Between March 28 and April 6, project staff are gathering representatives of institutions that will work on integration at the local level to build their awareness of the project’s goals and explain how the activities will be implemented.  Participants include representatives of local primary and secondary schools, advisors from the regional offices of the Bureau for Development of Education, inspectors from the local offices of the State Education Inspectorate, and representatives of each municipality in this region.

”We all agree on the need and importance of interethnic integration in education in order to promote an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.  Our strategy to ensure sustainability of the project is to use a highly participatory approach,” said Nebojsa Mojsoski, the project’s Chief of Party.  “The riches of Macedonia are its multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism.  The responsibility to implement this project is shared among us jointly.”

The project’s primary components are:  Community Outreach, Capacity Building of School Management and Teachers, Demonstration Schools, and Provision of Incentives to Schools and Communities.  Local gatherings are taking place in Kumanov, Veles, Stip, Gevgelia, Prilep, Gostivar, Struga, and Skopje.

NOTES TO EDITORS: 
The Interethnic Integration in Education Project is a four-year, $5.2 million initiative co-financed by USAID and the U.S. European Command.  The Macedonian Civic Education Center is implementing the project in partnership with several other local organizations.
 
The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 million in Macedonia since 1993.  USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy.  USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries.  For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov or our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia.