Skopje, Prilep, Vinica 06/07 2007
Campaign for promotion of equality for persons with intelectual disabilities "Through diversity to equality in the society"

Public promotion in Skopje

      PORAKA Skopje, as active participant in the realization of the national campaign “Through diversity to equality in the society” held public promotion and debate on 29th of June in the Council of City of Skopje.
      Participants on this public debate were representatives from: administration of City of Skopje within the Sector for Public Affairs, municipalities of City of Skopje, Center for Social Work, special and regular primary schools, secondary schools, non-governmental organizations, parents of persons with intellectual disability, as well as other relevant institutions that act on the territory of City of Skopje.
      Mr. Trifun Kostovski, the Mayor of City of Skopje, supported this event and had his own presentation, in which he has expressed the full support for this campaign, as well as the willingness of City of Skopje in regards of meeting the needs of persons with intellectual disability on the territory of City of Skopje.
      Vasilka Dimoska MD, Program Manager in PORAKA, who facilitated the public debate, represented the concept and the goals of the national campaign, which the Republic Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability - PORAKA realizes with its 20 local branches. Mrs. Eleonora Pancevska Nikolovska, head of the Department for Social, Child and Health Protection within the Sector for Public Affairs of City of Skopje, in her presentation discussed about the place and the role of the local self-government in realization of rights for persons with intellectual disability. She informed the participants in detail regarding the already taken activities of City of Skopje in this area, as well as for those that are represented in the Action plan of City of Skopje and are planned to be realized in the future. Mr. Vlado Krstovski, Program Assistant in PORAKA, in his presentation focused on the new proposal for passing a Law for Social Protection and Social Security, prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, as well as on the proposals for advancement of this Law, which were prepared by PORAKA. Further in his presentation, Mr. Krstovski presented the priorities in the field of social service provision. Mrs. Ruzica Kalecak Markovska, president of PORAKA Skopje, informed the participants about the activities, which PORAKA Skopje will take within this campaign.
      Several national electronic and written media covered this event.
      In the following period, different activities are foreseen: exhibitions within the fairs organized by Skopje Fair, thematic lectures in the schools on territory of City of Skopje on subject: “What is intellectual disability?”.

Presentation in Prilep    

      Within the activities of the national campaign “Through diversity to equality in the society”, the Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Prilep on 27th of July 2007, in cooperation with the Union of Organizations for Persons with Disability from Prilep, held a presentation of the national campaign.
      Participants on this event were representatives from: local self-government in Prilep, Center for Social Work and the Medical Center in Prilep.
The president of PORAKA Prilep, Mrs. Svetlana Miokovik Tomeska, had an introductory presentation, and presented the activities planned for realization within the campaign. Then Mr. Dimitar Tavcioski on behalf of the local self-government supported this campaign, and emphasized that the municipality, within its possibilities, will support the implementation of the activities relating to realization of the rights of persons with intellectual disability.
      Mrs. Snezana Jovanovska, director of the Center for Social Work, discussed regarding the rights of persons with intellectual disability, within social insurance. After the presentations, participant  had the possibility to ask questions about the campaign and their contribution.

Activities of PORAKA Vinica

      During the last three months PORAKA Vinica realized several activities. In June it organized a lecture in two primary schools in our municipality: “Slavco Stojmenski” in Vinica and “Koco Racin” in the village Blatec. The lectures were about the rights and possibilities of persons with intellectual disability. Listeners were pupils from the higher grades who had a lot of questions about the topic. It was noticeable that the pupils were interested about the possibilities of persons with intellectual disability. These lectures were covered by a journalist from the local magazine Vineam, where she published an article regarding this activity.
      At the beginning of July, new sports facility was opened in Vinica were the Macedonian basketball representation had trainings and played one match. During one of the trainings, the younger members of PORAKA Vinica, accompanied by their parents, met the basketball representatives. The children were very happy because they had the opportunity to play basketball. At the end, we made one joint picture to remember this event.
On Petrovden, the day of Vinica, manifestation was organized in the Home of Culture, on the square in front of the City Hall. Participants were pupils from the primary schools in Vinica. The members of PORAKA Vinica were present on this event and took pictures with some of the participants.
      During this day, arts exhibition was opened in the lobby of the City Hall. The members of PORAKA Vinica visited the exhibition and admired the exhibited paintings.
           

	From the local activities click to zoom the photos