Today, March 30, 2018, USAID hosted a leadership conference on Macedonia’s Journey from Development to Self-Reliance, at MKC in Skopje. The half-day conference included inspirational talks by some of the best and brightest of Macedonia’s young talent, articulating their personal stories of success, and a panel discussion on “What does it take to be successful in Macedonia?”. The event wrapped up USAID’s commemoration of its 25 year anniversary in Macedonia.

Addressing conference participants, USAID Country Representative David Atteberry stated, “We [USAID] are here as a catalyzing actor, rooting for Macedonia’s success, but ultimately the country’s future will be determined you, its youth, its citizens, its future leaders. The challenges you take on, the choices you make, and the effort you put into it will determine how quickly Macedonia becomes the country you want it to be.”

Irena Chaushevska, NewMan’s Business Academy and Accelerator cofounder, Dona Kosturanova, Youth Educational Forum executive director, Satki Ismaili, Cyril and Methodius Primary School Director – Tetovo, Doroti Pachkova, One Made executive director, Elena Kochoska, Polio Plus program manager, and Sefer Selimi, Democracy Lab founder were among the speakers, and Nina Angelovska, Grouper CEO and cofounder, Ana Golejska, Retweet a Meal, Zarko Dimitrievski, Eden na Eden cofounder and Meral Musliu Tajroska, Ambassador and spokeswoman for Mother Schools for Women Without Borders – Macedonia were panelists at the event.

Ending the conference, U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Jess L. Baily added, “Just hearing from the stories of speakers today, I know it can be done. What I’m curious about is what are all your stories going to be in 10-15 years. I do hope one thing is true, that our two countries and our two peoples will become ever closer and ever stronger partners. I hope we can continue these discussions, these partnerships, as your country grows stronger and indeed more self-reliant.”

USAID invited 100 young people to the conference to hear about examples of successful startups, commuinty initiatives, social enterprises, and grassroots movements that are making a positive impact across the country.  USAID/Macedonia hopes that the young people that participated in the conference will go on to be the country’s future entreperneurs and leaders that lead Macedonia’s path to self-reliance.

The conference was livestreamed on USAID’s Facebook page; the replay is available here: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia/videos/1635498589860229/

NOTE TO EDITORS:

This year, USAID is marking its 25th anniversary in Macedonia. The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $610 million in the country since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the modern workforce. These initiatives, in partnership with the people of Macedonia, aim to improve the quality of life for Macedonia’s citizens. For more information please visit https://www.usaid.gov/macedonia and USAID’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia.