A Year of Humanity

We In the last month of this year, in the last issue of “Civic World” for the year 2001, we concluded that the past 12 months remained noted for the great humanitarian activity of the civic associations, initiated mostly by the events happening in Macedonia, the restless reality and the unpredictable “tomorrow”. When the crisis culminated many civic organizations widely opened their capacities, offering them in such an extent that it exceeded their real possibilities. The civic organizations were helping people in need, that is, the refugees and the temporarily displaced people, providing them with food, clothes, blankets…
Some of them provided temporal shelters or they tried to alleviate the traumas, especially with the youngest. Thus, for example, during the summer, the First Children Embassy in the World “Medjashi” made possible for the several groups of children and young people from mixed nationality to spend several relaxing days on the Ohrid Lake coast. Other civic organizations did similar activities, which activated the other tourist and weekend resorts in Macedonia…for the benefit of young people. Others tried to enrich the social life, organizing events to attract the citizens and distract their thoughts from the reality of the everyday life. The publishing house List and the City of Skopje have promoted the project for revitalizations of the Old Skopje Bazaar.

The last three month of the year are characterized by the attempts of the various governmental and non-governmental, national and foreign organizations to provide the minimal necessary conditions for continuing the life of those who returned to their homes and those who are yet to come. These activities were primarily directed towards the reconstruction of damaged homes, ranked according to the degree of damage done, that is, in the first and second category, 5 to 20, and 20 to 40 percent damage. These activities made December the month of the MCIC. Let us not forget that the citizens themselves involved their capacities in the overcoming of unpleasant events, thus giving their contribution to the Civic world.

We wish that the civic organizations remain and become even more active in the next year, which is very important if we want to heal the wounds from this years’ terror.

In this number we write about an interesting event, the Christmas humanitarian sales organized by women-foreigners, who participate in the foreign missions or work for the embassies in Macedonia. The money from the Christmas gifts goes for humanitarian purposes in the country. The Macedonian Women Lobby was also established and initiated its work this month. It was supported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the donations came from the Greek Government via Stability Pact.

In this number we present the German foundation Conrad Adenauer as a donator. We also present the Center for women with breast cancer support.

Among the organizations working with children, we have chosen to present Save the Children UK and the Children parliament in Kriva Palanka.

In the month of December the FORD prices were awarded. The First price was awarded to the project for the Dojran Lake rescue. We present several other environmental projects-the Regional Environmental Center and the Journalist Legal Enviro Centar Erina, which opens an environmental public advocacy center for the first time in Macedonia.

On the pages dedicated to the regional cooperation we write about BENA, the Balkan Scientists Association that works in the field of environment.

In December, the First Municipalities Fair took place. About fifty municipalities exhibited their stalls.

On the Day of the Handicapped, elevators for the above mentioned were placed at some faculties.

We give some space to the establishment of the Private Electronic Media Association. In the area of health, we present Komaja with their interesting “Love-erotic Therapy”.

As usual, we ask you a new question at the “Civic World” forum. The question this time is: “Do we need education?” and we expect your comments.



Daniel Medaroski