Introduction:

During these two weeks you will have the unique opportunity to get to know our history, culture and tradition, to learn something about the Macedonian language, to taste our national food and famous wines. Of course all of this will be spiced with the Balkanian way of partying and pushing yourselves to the edge. You will have the chance to explore some of our biggest cities, Skopje (the capital of Macedonia), Ohrid (the city of 365 churches), Bitola (the city of consuls), Prespa (the lake with the only island in Macedonia). Indeed coming in here it will be a small and smart step for you, and by joining the SU team of AEGEE Skopje you will feel the magic of this epic amazing country and carry on the experience in the featuring years.
Living in unique multicultural society such as Macedonia makes us - the young people experts for tolerance, open mindedness, democracy and peace, therefore the programme will be enriched with many interactive workshops, regarding intercultural tolerance and active

General informations:

Date: 09 - 23 July 2008
Organizer: AEGEE-Skopje
Languages: English
Places: 35
Lodging: Youth Hostel, Private houses
Provided Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Event Fee: 160 €
Optional Fee: 20 €
Optional Part: Visiting antique museums, tour around 365 churches in Ohrid, sightseeing of all historical places in all cities visited, night life.
Alternative: Boat excursions around Ohrid Lake, night boat party, horse riding.
Payment: on arrival or copy of the ticket in advance

Course Location: Skopje, Ohrid, Prespa region, Bitola Course

Timetable: 12 hours per week Course Programme:

1. Communication skills - Trough interactive exercises participants will be pointing out some of the most common mistakes that we all do, while communicating, that can lead to conflict. The attention will be drawn to active and passive listening as well as verbal and non verbal communication.
2. Diversity - Having in mind the process of globalization, understanding and respecting diversity becomes essential. This workshop should emphasize the influence that prejudice and stereotypes have as factor that leads toward discrimination and therefore enables effective dialog and communication.
3. Multicultural tolerance - What is tolerance? What all do we have to give up in order to keep the piece? Why do people act the way they do? What do we have to know so that we can understand each other? All this questions will be initiated with practical activities.
4. Conflict management - We hope that participants will gain with this workshop some effective and non violent conflict resolution skills. They should help them deal with conflicts locally (in every day life) and by that prevent them globally.
5. Youth mobility - This topic should give participants the chance to discuss the importance of cross cultural mobility between youngsters and young adults. It also should allow them to brainstorm about ways of improving it.
6. European dialog - A debate will be organized between EU and non EU participants in order to have some constructive exchange of experiences that can help member and non member countries to bring together instead of increasing the wall between them.
7. Creative society - Creativity + activity is the formula for the Macedonian youth that means being productive in the community rather than distractive.

Participants will also have the chance to do some creative work along with the organizers. See our movie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUCFZn44ESA

Disabled Participants: This event is suitable for people who are deaf and dumb. There will be an organizer responsible for the disability aspect during the SU.

Visited places:

Skopje: Macedonia’s capital is a synthesis of old and new, of antiquity, modernity and a future rich with possibility. In its varied architecture, the city of Skopje attests to a long history of great civilizations and turbulent events. Here one can find sleek modern hotels above cobble stoned Ottoman streets, stately neoclassical homes right around the corner from grand old Yugoslav-era buildings, chic cafes, shopping malls and brightly-coloured new offices, as well as the more humble brickwork of Byzantine churches.

Ohrid: Immortal Ohrid – a kingdom of light and water, a repository of ancient ruins from Macedonia’s earlier kingdoms – is the sublime lakeside town that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience. Ohrid's major attractions are all located within a remarkably concentrated and eminently walkable area, among and above the narrow streets of the Old Town, itself lined with restaurants and cafes perfectly suited for relaxing on cool summer evenings. Ohrid’s many café bars and nightclubs also make for vibrant nightlife. As for the lake itself, it is so large and so deep that one might mistake it for a small sea. The full range of water sports, fishing and boating is available, and numerous churches alongside Ohrid’s lake shores make for fascinating side trips. The wooded ridge above the lake’s eastern shore is largely taken up by Galicica National Park, a pristine wilderness area ideally suited for nature enthusiasts. The uniqueness of Ohrid’s lake and historical architecture have been attested by UNESCO, which honoured the town with an official designation as one of the few places on the cultural institution’s “World Inheritance” list.

Prespa region: The Region of Ohrid and the Prespa Lakes (hereinafter referred to as “the Region”) is situated in the Balkan Peninsula at the border triangle of Albania, Greece and Macedonia. Possessing unique flora and fauna, Ohrid and Prespa lakes and the Region as a whole assemble one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It has many small and beautiful villages, that offer hospitality and unforgettable experience overseeing the untouched nature.

Bitola: First mentioned in documents dating back to the 4th century B.C.E., the town founded by Philip II of Macedon first bore the name of Heraclea Lyncestis. It was a bustling town during Roman times, and continued to grow until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the year 518 C.E. Nowadays Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia, known as the city of Consuls, and unforgettable night life.

If you would like to read some more about Macedonia and the places we are going to visit we recommend you to go to: www.exploringmacedonia.com