First Conference of Self-advocates in Macedonia

On November 28th, the first conference for self-advocates in our country was held in Skopje, where representatives from Poraka Nova participated. The organizers of the event were the organizations People in need North Macedonia, Asscoiation Solem, Center for Youth Activism Krik, JU Special Institution Demir Kapija as part of the project Getting a Life. The Getting a Life project supports the relocation and independent living of people with intellectual disabilities from the Special Institution Demir Kapija, in other cities throughout our country.

The main theme of the conference was: Access to services in the community for people with intellectual disabilities.

The event was opened with a speech by Ramadan Berisha, regional director for the Balkans of people in need, then Dušan Tomšić, State Councilor at MTSP, Vaska Bajramovska Mustafa, Deputy of the national legal defender, Aleksandar Vasilevski, self-advocate from the Solem association, had their speeches.

The present participants, self-advocates, representatives of organizations then had several hours of work in groups on the following topics: Day care centers and their need, Independent living in the community with support, Access to recreation activities, Employment of people with intellectual disabilities, Inclusion of young people with intellectual disability.

Each of the groups expressed the conclusions of the discussion at the end of the event, and then the certificates were awarded to the self-advocates and the following organizations (Poraka Nasha Kumanovo, Poraka Nova Struga, Poraka Negotino, Special Institution Demir Kapija, Solem, KRIK and the Day Center for Persons with Disabilities physical and mental disability Kavadarci, signed memorandums  for cooperation and for the establishment of the national network of self-advocates in Macedonia.

We are grateful that we had a chance to participate and contribute at this great event, Check out the photos below!