Macedonia Visit Highlights Challenges and Potential
On June 8, 2008, USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore traveled to Macedonia for a two-day visit packed with high profile briefings, visits to USAID project sites, and meetings with private citizens and beneficiaries of USAID assistance. Fore also met with representatives from all U.S. Government Agencies in Macedonia to discuss the importance of inter-agency coordination to ensure best use of U.S. foreign assistance.
Fore’s first visit to Macedonia provided an opportunity to directly observe the results of U.S. development assistance over the last 15 years. Her arrival was preceded by Macedonia’s Parliamentary Elections which were marked by irregularities, violence, and fraud, which damaged the country’s prospects for NATO and European Union memberships. During her meeting with President Branko Crvenkovski, the Administrator emphasized the U.S. Government’s commitment to helping Macedonia’s advance to Euro-Atlantic integration, and called for strong sanctions against those who have committed electoral violence and fraud. In her subsequent discussion with Macedonian mayors, the Administrator stressed the important role of government decentralization in transparent and democratic decision-making, as well as active citizen participation.
 |
| At the Dane Krapcev primary school in Skopje, Administrator Fore spoke with students, teachers, and USAID specialists about Macedonia’s education system. USAID funded renovations and the purchase of computer equipment for the school; students have since formed a volunteer club to maintain the equipment. |
Improving the quality of education and preparing Macedonian youth for the modern workforce is one of USAID’s key priorities. Fore had an opportunity to discuss the challenges of the Macedonian education system with a group of teachers, students, and USAID education specialists during her visit to the Dane Krapcev primary school in Skopje. She was impressed by the USAID-funded school renovations and computer equipment, as well as the talents and enthusiasm of students who volunteer as members of the computer maintenance club. “Macedonia’s youth deserves all of the opportunities available in the world today,” said the Administrator. “Renovating schools, improving curriculum, and improving teachers training are going to give our students the skills that they need for the 21st century.”
Another important priority of the USAID Mission is to strengthen the role of the private sector in the country’s development and to foster public-private partnerships in such areas as plastic recycling, energy efficiency, and enterprise development. Administrator Fore met with the leaders of Macedonia’s public and private sectors, including Kristijan Danilovski, the founder of an Oscar-winning film production company, who turned an abandoned military warehouse into a state-of-the-art production facility with USAID assistance.
In her parting remarks, Administrator Fore said that talking with beneficiaries, partners, and local leaders had helped her understand the political and economic challenges facing Macedonia, and to appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit and potential of its people. Fore’s visit not only solidified Macedonia’s position as an important strategic partner to the U.S., but helped to raise public awareness on the many successful programs implemented by USAID in this country.
Back to Top ^ |
