On July 4th, 2019, at the University of Tetova was held a public debate on the draft text of the “National Strategy for the Development of the Concept for a Society and Interculturalism in the Republic of North Macedonia”. This strategy made by the Government of North Macedonia is a document that is being prepared for the first time in the Republic of North Macedonia and is of particular importance because it will initiate activities and will strengthen communication and cooperation processes between different cultures and communities in order to create a fair and just society that treats all citizens equally.
The Vice-Dean for Science ofr the Faculty of Pedagogy at the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Rabije Murati, considered this strategy as very necessary for the creation of a common society within the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia. According to her, the involvement of as many academic institutions as possible will help to develop a modern, sustainable, visionary and pro-western society. “Today, we jointly realize this public debate about the newest strategy drafted by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, which is about an intercultural society and is a very good starting point. I also feel the moral and professional obligation to thank the representatives of the Government for having included the University of Tetova as part of the institutions, where debates of this nature have been realized. We feel privileged to be involved with our ideas, suggestions and thoughts on the drafting of this strategy, which will be concluded soon after the completion of these debates, “said Prof. Dr. Rabije Murati.
The Chairman of the Coordination Body, Robert Alagjozovski, said that if we want to build a society we should start from school desks, even from pre-school age, so in this sense the academic community is inevitable. “By organizing a series of promotional events, both in public and in different municipalities and universities, we conclude that this concept is very important; we have the staff that can implement it, and of course, in this sense there are also experiences that are organized in a new strategy. With an action plan we shall contribute to an even greater development, “said Robert Alagjozovski.
While the Parliament member of North Macedonia, Rubin Zemon, added that all parties involved in this strategy should focus on intercultural relations, in the dialogue between different groups and ethnicities. “This strategy will focus more on intercultural relations and will not exclude multiculturalization, which has developed and will develop in the future. We should build a society where there will be no discrimination or exclusion. All people should feel equal before public services and before the law in order to have a modern and European society, “added MP Rubin Zemon.
While the Vice-dean for Science of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Musa Musai, in his scientific approach to the drafting of this strategy, emphasized that the globe is pluriverse in which a person comes with the premise that the other is not necessarily the person to be prejudiced and stereotyped.
“The multicultural concept means coexistence with those who are different from us, while interculturalism means reciprocity, acceptance, and appreciation of the other, who is different from me, yet whom I still interact with. The world, if conceived through the prism of globalism, out of a 100 people, has 50 Asians, 30 Europeans, 20 Africans, 70 white and 30 non-white, 52 women and 48 men, 70 non-Christians, 30 Christians, that is, the diverse concept united into a oneness, being incorporated into the educational system “, emphasized Prof. Dr. Musa Musai.
Petrit Saraqini, advisor at the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, also addressed the audience during the public debate dedicated to the national strategy for developing the concept for a society and interculturalism. The main purpose of this strategy is to build a society where everyone will feel as part of “one society” and through it to implement the recommendations of the international bodies of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.