People:Zlatko Talevski

Be active to make a positive difference

Professional experience: Executive Director of the Youth Cultural Centre - Bitola.

Engagement in the civic sector: Member of the student organization AIESEC from 1995 to 1999. Vice-president for human resources at the local committee Prilep member of National Team of Trainers for a year. I was coordinator of a project at the Youth Cultural Association (today YCC - Bitola) from 1999 to August 2002 when I assumed the role of Executive Director at the Youth Cultural Centre - Bitola.

Ambitions:  Progress in my career in the civic sector in the Republic of Macedonia. In long-terms, professional training - doctor's degree at a prestigious university abroad. and in even longer terms, a job in the European administration as a representative from the Republic of Macedonia. 

Hobbies and interests: Listening to music and enriching my music collection. Active interest for travelling, discovering new places and meeting new people.

In his free time he reads: Professional literature, daily newspapers and fiction. The last book I read was Street Advocate by John Grisham. At the moment I read Selected Short Stories by Karel Capek. 

At weekends: If I am not engaged at the YCC - Bitola I spend my time with my wife Natasha and my three-year old son Marko. Having a cup of coffee at Sirok Sokak, walks in the City Park or enjoying the beauties of the National Park Pelister are my usual weekend - destinations. For finding soul-peace and enlightening the spirit, Ohrid is an ideal place, in combination with shopping in Florina, Greece.

Toughest decision: As soon as I got married, I had to leave Bitola for my one-year studies at the University of CEE in Budapest, department political studies. The relation Budapest - Bitola, which is about 1000 km long, appeared unusually close due to my frequent travels.

Which national (local) problem does he find especially important and why? There are too many, but I would emphasize the (non) functioning of the legal state, non-rule of the law, not only by the citizens, but also by the state institutions. With their gradual, but real solution, the citizens will transform their opinion and they will not consider the country the enemy they should trick. 

Which global problem does he find especially important?
The process of (fair) globalisation in which the small nations and countries, especially those that are economically indifferent, will find the place they deserve.

What would he change in Macedonia and the world?
I would change many things, but before that, I believe that it is most important that the citizens are aware and believe in the need for positive changes. That is especially important for the Republic of Macedonia as a country that wants keep pace with the modern world. With more self-confidence and belief in themselves and the institutions, the citizens might be the carriers of the changes for better future and decent life.

Message (advice): Face the challenges and always invest in your knowledge.