29 participants from 12 political parties and 1 civil initiative, SDMM, UMS, DUI, Levica[the Left], LIDEM, NSDP, BESA Alternative, Alliance for Albanians, Party of Vlachs, Movement for National Unity of Turks, MODOM and Za nashe Kumanovo[For our Kumanovo], took part in the third consecutive Public Policy Academy. The Public Policy Academy opened on 30 September, in Hotel Radika, Leunovo with the first Module: Basics.
The purpose of the first module was to lay the groundwork, and lay the basis for the participants regarding the topics that will be covered throughout the Academy. Lecturers were eminent professors, practitioners and experts from the country. By organizing the third Academy, IFES and the Swiss Embassy in the country will be part of the contribution to the education and practical training of more than 100 young politicians in the country.
The three-day Academy started with the session on essentials: “I am a member of the youth wing of a political party and I am ready to talk, think and do politics” with Prof. Dr. Nenad Markovic.
Movie night under the stars: “Nalepnica[Tag]” through which Gjorgi M. Unkovski, who is a film director, and Izabela Jakimova, as a moderator, together with the participants analyzed the (dis)functions in society and the bureaucratic traps through the art form.
On the topic “Why are political parties special social organisms?” the lecturers were Gordan Georgiev – Forum for Reasonable Policies, Mersel Bilalli – AUE-FON University, former MP and Astrit Rexhepi – group work moderator.
“Woman power!” Women in power?!? – Women in politics: Now and then.
The evolution of women’s participation in politics, political parties, the importance and dangers of positive discrimination/quotas. Local activism versus “high” politics. How do women make a difference in politics? The following lecturers spoke on this topic: Kristina Hadji Vasileva as moderator, Slavica Grkovska, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance policies, Merita Maksuti, Eco Guerilla Tetovo/Podobro za Tetovo[Better for Tetovo] and Magdalena Manaskova, archaeologist, former Member of Parliament.
Veli Kreci, University of SEE and Astrit Rexhepi, group work moderator spoke on the topic of “Public policy: an essential tool for political parties”.
“Lessons from negotiating with the mountain” for developing personal abilities and skills in life and politics was a topic taught by academician Ferid Muhic.
The morning lecture on “The Art of Disagreement”, i.e. communication in a conflicting political context (political polarization) was delivered to the participants by Academician Ferid Muhic, a philosopher at the University of “St. “Cyril and Methodius”.
At the end we heard ideas and tools for Community Engagement, conclusion of the workshop and future steps.
During this first module, the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other, to discuss informally on the sidelines of the workshop, and at the same time to create bases for cooperation in the following months and activities within the Academy.
The Academy envisages the organization of four modules with additional activities including the preparation of a short public policy, activities for communication and mobilization of citizens, etc.
