Around 60 young people from across Macedonia have gathered in Dojran for the National Youth Summer School for Social Inclusion, a five day program designed to help participants develop practical skills, build new connections and become more active in their communities. The school officially opened on September 15 and is bringing together participants between the ages of 15 and 29 from different parts of the country. The program runs from September 14 to 18 and combines educational, interactive and sports activities focused on issues that directly affect young people and their future opportunities. The summer school was opened by Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth Gjoko Velkovski together with Vladimir Obradovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council for Youth, known as RYCO. The initiative is being organized by the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth in cooperation with the German development organization GIZ and RYCO. Through the partnership, participants are being given an opportunity to meet other young people from different communities, exchange experiences and develop skills that can be useful both in their personal lives and future careers.
During the five day program, participants are taking part in activities covering communication, teamwork, leadership, social inclusion, personal development and employability. Rather than focusing only on classroom style learning, the organizers are using interactive exercises and group activities to encourage young people to communicate, cooperate and learn from one another. The program is intended to give participants practical experience that they can take back to their communities, while also helping them build confidence and stronger interpersonal skills. A special part of the program is the “Sport for Development” approach, which uses sport as a tool for education and social connection. Through sports activities, participants are encouraged to build trust, cooperate with others and develop leadership abilities, while also creating opportunities for intercultural dialogue. The idea is to show that sport can play a role beyond competition by bringing people together and helping young people develop skills that can be valuable in education, employment and everyday community life.
The organizers say the goal is for the young participants to leave Dojran with more than memories from a five day summer program. They are expected to return to their communities with new contacts, practical knowledge, greater confidence and motivation to become more actively involved in local initiatives. The National Youth Summer School for Social Inclusion is part of broader efforts by the Ministry and its partners to create opportunities for young people from across Macedonia to connect, learn, exchange experiences and participate in activities that support their personal and professional development.
