The Wife of the President, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, addressed an event marking the 20th anniversary of the international study “Behaviors related to the health of school-aged children (11, 13 and 15 years) in the Republic of North Macedonia”, which was held under her auspices in the President’s Cabinet.
The bearer of this international longitudinal study is the Center for Psychosocial and Crisis Action – Malinska with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Bureau of Education Development and it is carried out in 51 countries from Europe and North America. In our country, this year the research was carried out for the sixth time on a national sample of 5,140 students from the most represented teaching languages, Macedonian and Albanian, aged 11, 13 and 15.
In her address to the audience, the Wife of the President said that it is important to talk and research about changes in the behavior and lifestyle of young people, the role of loved ones, their peers, educational and health institutions, culture, everyday life and the environment, in development and advancement. of health, as well as the participation of a young person as an individual in acquiring habits for managing his own life.
“My involvement as a health worker who cares about the health of children and young people confirms the need to analyze and understand changes in the behavior of young people and their lifestyle for more appropriate education and counseling for treatment, prevention and health protection or for potential future conditions that have an impact on their overall development”, Gjorgievska stressed.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the implementation and 40th anniversary of the establishment of this significant study, the Wife of the President thanked the work and efforts of the researchers, as well as the shared opinions and contribution to the findings of the study by all participants, adding that it should not be forget about all stakeholders who contribute to the development and improvement of the health of children and young people, such as the relevant institutions, educators, doctors, psychologists, social workers and all other stakeholders involved in this process as creators of their current and future behavior.
“Our common duty is to create a road map on which our children and youth will walk without fear and feeling of lesser value. It is our duty to protect them, educate them, give them unconditional support in their development, involve them in the creation of policies that affect them, properly inform them, listen to their needs and encourage and guide them in their decisions of leading healthy lifestyles and life”, the President’s Wife said.
The Minister of Education, Jeton Shaqiri, and Lina Kostarova – Unkovska, Director of the Center for Psychosocial and Crisis Action – Malinska, addressed the event, and the results of the study were presented – trends in health indicators over a longer period, and awards and certificates were awarded to individuals, institutions and organizations that contributed to the study.
