Blazhe Josifovski, President of NGO “Ajde Makedonija”, was a guest lecturer at UACS, as part of the course “Ecology and Sustainable Growth”, with lecturer Andrej Gjokikj on April 16.

Mr. Josifovski held a very inspiring and motivational lecture covering essential societal and environmental hot topics related to the NGO sector in R. North Macedonia. The interactive presentation provided an open platform for discussions with the students on every important aspect of the role and evolution of the NGO sector in environmental management, protection and improvement.

The students were able to hear Blazhe’s experiences and views on:

• The goals, organizational structure and different types of NGO’s functions (professional vs. advocacy, think-tanks and civil society). - Examples of NGO organizations, movements and initiatives focused on environmental protection, environmental management, ecological standards and other ecological issues. - Debate on the complex relationships between political, economic and societal interests with a focus on the impact and the role of NGOs in the modern societal landscape. - Debate on the role of the media, the business sector and the government in communicating essential environmental and climate change topics to the public. - Public awareness as a crucial step in the process of creating environmentally conscious community with a collective sustainable vision and appreciation of environmental protection in the everyday life. - The positive changes in waste management, increased donations to social vulnerable communities and other socio-environmental projects implemented by “Ajde Makedonija”. - Discussion on the benefits, results and impact of the biggest food donation platform in our country: „СИТЕ СИТИ“ and why it is important to systematically redistribute excess food to the marginalized and socially vulnerable communities. - The need for bigger institutional assertiveness, expertise and continuity of progressive government action in implementation of environmental projects and ecological standards backed by a sound legal framework.

The presentation prompted great interest from the students who actively participated in the discussions by vividly expressing their views and opinions on this crucial socio-environmental topic.