President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova presented the recognition, which, in cooperation with Macedonia2025, is awarded to prominent figures from the diaspora for their contribution to the economic development, healthcare, social assistance, education, science, culture and other areas.
Evaluating the work of Macedonia2025 as unifying, fruitful, successful and useful, she informed about the process of establishing a Council for the Diaspora as an institutional form of cooperation and constant communication with the diaspora, which will enable its integration into Macedonian affairs.
Dr. Svetlana Mojsov, a world-renowned professor at Rockefeller University in New York, who left a deep and lasting mark on modern medicine, received recognition for exceptional scientific work.
The Humanitarian Association “LetzCare a.s.b.l” from Luxembourg received recognition for its outstanding support and medical assistance, and the award was received by its president Safet Alili.
For the President, humanity and solidarity are embedded in our code and crowned with the life story and work of Mother Teresa. She expects, she said, this recognition to inspire many other people to do humanitarian deeds, especially important for the most vulnerable citizens.
Siljanovska-Davkova said that recognizing individuals and organizations from the diaspora is an ethical and moral act of valuing good deeds and proving the unbreakable unity with them.
At the meeting with the Board of Directors, after the successful, but also emotional stories of top businessmen and prominent representatives of the diaspora, the importance of nurturing and transmitting the sense of belonging from generation to generation was stressed, as necessary in preserving national identity.
She said that we share the same vision with Macedonia 2025: to become a competitive regional economic player, to have energy security, to be a country with a successful educational and scientific system, connected to artificial intelligence and digitalization, to build an ecological and legal state, with a strong civil society and a democratic public.
Pointing to the global and European environment of uncertainty of all types, from peace to environmental, she emphasized the need for cooperation, unity and strengthening relations with the diaspora in all spheres, integrating it into Macedonian society.
Below is the full text of the address of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova:
Distinguished members of Macedonia2025,
Respected members of the Macedonian diaspora,
Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
This ceremony happens in the eve of the beginning of the traditional Macedonia2025 Summit, where ministers, eminent businessmen, experts, representatives of state bodies and institutions, members of the academic community debate in order to share knowledge, views, experiences and skills, as well as to promote ideas and visions.
And the vision of Macedonia2025 is also our vision: to be a competitive regional economic player with a prosperous economy, developing in an environment of energy security, to be a country with a good educational and scientific system, connected to artificial intelligence and digitalization, to be an ecological state, a state of law, based, as I remind, of professional and competent state and public administration, with a respected epistemological community that, unfortunately, is leaving today, to have a developed civil society and democratic public.
We have stepped into 2025 and this year is the right moment to evaluate the results and achievements of Macedonia2025, on the eve of the Sisyphean work that awaits us in the implementation of the Reform Agenda and the Growth Plan.
In a global and European environment of uncertainty of all types, from peace to environmental, it is a logical imperative to unite all our social capital, to avoid mutual conflicts, stimulate cooperation and unity, to strengthen relations with the diaspora in all areas, to integrate it into Macedonian society and its fabric in the areas in which it is most necessary, most professional, but also most interested.
Reforms require a domestic political agreement, but also an agreement with the EU and our strategic partners, as well as with the diaspora due to its proven creativity and capacity in the fierce competition in the international economic order, but also in the cultural competition of states, nations and individuals.
Of course, our greatest national obligation is to preserve, defend and nurture our national identity and its integrity and dignity. Let us not give up on ethical values and principles, let us respect them, if we want to invoke them, when others violate them towards us. Let us not forget the common good – res publica and not sacrifice it for personal and collective interests.
I believe this recognition goes into the right hands, to deserving winners who personify top, internationally valued knowledge and success, but also dedication, humanity, solidarity and patriotism.
Dear friends,
I want to send a clear message that giving recognition is an act of recognizing that we feel and recognize the laureates as ours, we appreciate and value their works, achievements and successes even when they are not constantly with us, because they are always with us, wherever they are.
We are in an unbreakable bond with our diaspora, no matter what generation it is: first, second, third, next.
As a small country, with more people abroad than at home, energy-dependent and economically oriented towards the regional, European and world markets, we have a dire need for dynamic and close ties with our compatriots abroad. I have already said that, regardless of the generation in question, ties must be nurtured, expanded and deepened. For generations born and educated far from the land of their ancestors, it is not enough to bring the homeland closer to them as history, as a myth or as a legend, but as a real, living, realistic story with a bright and secure future. Of course, we should not fall into illusionism and forget that our people have two homelands, nor should we cultivate stereotypes: positive or negative.
Reality shows that mutual cooperation bears fruit when all involved and affected parties and entities benefit thereof.
Finally, I would like to inform you that the Cabinet is in the process of establishing a Council for the Diaspora as an institutional form of cooperation with it, as a bridge and channel for constant communication with the diaspora. I, personally, and my Cabinet are at your disposal for promotion, connection, mediation, presentation, consultation, information, support, integration with domestic entities of various types and in various fields.
I would like to mention our work on the Digital Registry of the Most Successful in the Diaspora, as a necessary tool for connecting, networking and strategic inclusion of the diaspora in the development processes in the homeland. With it, we aim to map scientists and experts, political and business leaders, cultural and sports figures as a valuable potential and source of mind, knowledge, skills and experience, necessary for the creation of programs and policies.
Of course, cooperation with Macedonia2025 will continue in the initiated projects, such as the traditional “Ohrid Camp for High-Technology Excellence”, which is proof that cooperation is possible, useful and desired from the earliest age, because young people are our future in which we need to invest.
With all my heart and soul, I thank you for your support, I congratulate you on the recognition from “Macedonia2025 and I encourage you for further cooperation and success!
Thank you.
