President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met today with two representatives of “United Macedonians in Canada”, President Risto Durlovski and member Dusko Jankov.
They briefed her on the lives and achievements, as well as on the challenges and proposals of members of the Macedonian diaspora regarding their participation in the economic, political, educational, scientific and cultural spheres of their homeland.
The interlocutors agreed that the Macedonian diaspora in Canada is an integral part of the Macedonian national fabric.
The President informed them about the adopted National Diaspora Strategy – a step forward in fostering unity through various forms of cooperation aimed at facilitating their smoother and faster integration into Macedonian social life, as well as ongoing efforts to establish a Diaspora Council within her Cabinet, highlighting the opportunity and need for them to nominate a representative to the council.
Members of the diaspora expressed interest in participating in parliamentary and presidential elections and in maintaining closer communication with the Agency for Emigration; they also highlighted their desire for institutional involvement in the homeland’s decision-making process, particularly regarding issues that directly affect them, such as consultations on the nomination of ambassadors and consuls to Canada.
Furthermore, Durlovski and Jankov noted that the rise of artificial intelligence and digitalization is diminishing the significance of geography and distance; consequently, younger generations of the Macedonian diaspora are showing increased interest in getting to know, studying, working and living in the country of their parents and ancestors.
Finally, representatives of the Macedonian diaspora in Canada pointed out to the President her obligation to visit the country and, in person, gather, observe and hear the views of our expatriates on matters concerning them, while also sharing her own perspectives with them.
