Second Conference on Political Culture and Dialogue
Cure is the title of the second Conference on Political Culture and Dialogue organized by Civil – Center for Freedom that will take place on March 28 and 29 in the Congress Center of the Skopje Fair (see Agenda bellow).
Last year, also in March, high representatives of the leading political parties, diplomatic core, civil society, media and experts gathered to exchange their standpoints on the situation, consequences and solutions of problems that derive from the low level of political culture and absence of substantial dialogue in the country. It was a big and successful conference. But, the reality in the year that followed did not fulfill our expectations. This year, our March Conference is being organized in circumstances of sharp political disputes in the country.
Following the deepening divisions in the society along political party lines, ethnic tensions, religious intolerance, and discrimination against individuals, groups and categories in the society – we, as part of the civil society – call for dialogue and start of a broad political reconciliation in the country.
Political parties carry the greatest deal of responsibility when it comes to the roots and causes of the current political crisis in the country. Therefore, we believe that they are the ones that need to start talking to each other in a constructive manner, and set an agenda that will cure the ill-fated Macedonian society of today.
We invited the leaders of the largest political parties in the country: Mr. Nikola Gruevski, President of VMRO-DPMNE, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Social-Democrat Union of Macedonia (SDSM), Mr. Ali Ahmeti, President of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), coalition partner of the ruling party in the government, Mr. Menduh Thaci, President of the Democratic Party of the Albanians (DPA), Mr. Jovan Manasijevski, President of the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), and Mr. Imer Selmani, President of the New Democracy (ND), and their closest associates, to gather at Cure – The Second Conference on Political Culture and Dialogue to share an hour of their time with each other and with representatives of the Macedonian and international public. Each of them is invited to speak five to seven minutes on one single topic: possibilities of overcoming political crisis and deep divisions that shake our society.
We invited leaders of other, smaller, but not less significant political parties, as well. Some of them are in the ruling coalition, whilst some are in the opposition bloc, reflecting the reality and society in a relevant way.
We invited experts, analysts, journalists and editors, and great many civil society leaders and activists to take part in the Conference.
We invited Excellencies, diplomats, and other relevant international representatives and friends of the Republic of Macedonia, to attend and take active part in the Conference.
We hope to see the political party leaders of this country starting a conversation over the burning issue of divisions. We expect them to start a dialogue and go beyond personal or party interests, when it comes to the benefit of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. Citizens expect solutions. It is high time for political reconciliation, indeed.
Contacts:
02/5209176
Sanja Trajchevska: 075389697
Sonja Eftovska: 075843487
This project is part of the Annual Plan of Civil, supported in the frame of Civica Mobilitas Programme, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, implemented by the Center for Institutional Development. The project is co-financed by the Balkan Trust for Democracy.
CURE – SECOND CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL CULTURE AND DIALOGUE
Motto: HIGH TIME FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION
March 28-29, 2011, Conference Center at the Skopje Fair
AGENDA
Day 1: March 28
Launch event: CURE – Journal on Political Culture and Dialogue
11:00 – 11:30 Presentation of the publication and the authors
Introduction: Xhabir M. Deralla
Authors in the first issue:
Afrim Krasniqi, Anna Triandafyllidou, Gordana Duvnjak, David Brewer, Dusan Velickovic, Iso Rusi, Jasna Koteska, Milaim Fetai, Saso Ordanoski, Harald Schenker
11:30 – 12:30 Discussion
12:30 – 13:30 Cocktail
Day 2: March 29
Conference: High time for political reconciliation
09:00 – 11:30 Experts discussion on the political situation in the country
Moderator: Marjan Zabrcanec
Panelists: Irena Cvetkovic, Ida Protuger, Guner Ismail, Risto Popovski, Edmond Ademi
Participants: representatives of the civil society, media, political parties and international community
Transcripts of speeches and comments will be published in the Dialog
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break
12:00 – 13:00 Political leaders for political reconciliation
Moderator: Harald Schenker
Position Paper, presentation: Xhabir M. Deralla
Leaders of the political parties speak on the needs and possibilities for political reconciliation in the country
Invited speakers:
Nikola Gruevski, Ali Ahmeti, Branko Crvenkovski, Menduh Thaçi, Jovan Manasijevski, Imer Selmani
13:00 – 13:30 Discussion
13:30 – 14:30 Cocktail
NOTE: We have the pleasure to announce that we have received confirmations of attendance, especially at the session Political leaders for political reconciliation from many representatives of the international community, including Ambassadors, as well as from NGO leaders, experts and media.
