The

         The Children’s parliament of Macedonia appeared itself during the period when the lack of organizations which work in the field of the Convention for children’s rights and its implementation was very big.

         The Children’s parliament was formed on 8.05.1998 and has been successfully working so far. Its main motive is life fulfilled with tolerance, love between all children, and life without prejudice. These reasons will later explain the beauty of the life in our country and even further - the world. World representing global village. Therefore the CPM has strongly determined its own aim - war against every harmful influence on the children. But also open doors to ecological environment, good health and good education. To reach these objectives this NGO has four main pillars, symbolizing the Dome of the CPM.

All working ideas are based on the following:

1.                    Learning the DEMOCRACY, pluralism, parliamentary democracy. There are clubs of YOUNG PARLAMENTARIANS. The members of these clubs enter in the State Parliament each year where they work like real parliamentarians.

2.                    Learning the DIPLOMACY, its history of development and function, through the CLUBS OF YOUNG AMBASSADORS. These clubs are connected with the existing embassies in Macedonia.

3.                    Understanding the UN, its function, history and sub - organizations.

4.                    The CLUBS OF YOUNG MISSIONERS deal with the EU - EC and CE. Everything that can be found as a material about these organizations is represented in the Clubs of young missioners.   

 All of these above are connected with studying of the Convention of children’s right in details, for which purpose the book MY CONVENTION - MY LEADER consisted of three chapters was published.

-                     each part of the Convention has been adapted to the level of children;

-                     Each article is explained in the form of “rights - obligations”, in order to be understood that the Convention has two aspects rights and obligations.

-                     Sonnet dedicated to the children and their rights.

The Children’s parliament has 42 children’s parliaments through the cities and towns of Macedonia and 8 in Skopje with approximate membership of 8 - 10.000 members in Macedonia. For better coordination the work has regional connection, (Tetovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Negotino, Berovo, Stip (Karbinci), Kumanovo and Skopje) which provides regional activities and manifestations, namely dislocation of Skopje like only city for such events.

A)                The CPM has the following bodies:

-                     The parliament house  with 23 members and president elected each 4 years;

-                     Executive board with 7 members and president elected each 4 year;

-                     Supervision board with 3 members, which controls the work of the CPM.

There is one Board as well responsible for organizing activities and manifestations. This board can form contemporary boards during one activity (for example Summit board, Congress board and Symposium board).

There are four commissions: publishing commission, cultural activities and sport commission and educational commission.

There are 15 -17 volunteers taking part in the constitution of the projects and special working programs. Usually these volunteers are university professors, academic member of the MAAS, doctors etc.

The successful results and reach program are due to the organized Educational schools for leaders (exceeds the number of 10). At least one is organized each year. There are three levels of leaders according to the number and type of schools they have taken.

I level leaders - capable to run a CLUB;

II level leaders - capable of work in the CP through the cities in RM

III level leader - capable of being INSTRUCTORS on each educational school, seminars, symposiums, summits, congresses etc.

Except the Educational school for leaders there is EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR JOURNALISTS. They are getting known with the basic concepts of the journalism and therefore getting prepared to write in the CPM’s newspaper “Young parliamentarian ambassador and missioner”.

Despite the educational schools there are counseling, seminars, conferences, symposiums, congresses etc.

In 1999 from 21 - 24 of November in Skopje the WORLD CHILDREN’S SUMMIT “Implementation of the Convention of children’s rights” was held on which 29 countries took place. The reason for this summit was the 10 “birthday” of the Convention of children’s rights (1989-1999). At the end of the summit the CPM published a book where all speeches were collected. The book was published on English and Macedonian.

From 21 - 23.03.2000 in Ohrid the symposium “Mother, protect your birth” took place. The subject of the symposium was the abuse of children’s rights by adults, children’s labor, prostitution, pedophilia, children’s abuse in politics.

B)                 In 2000 the CPM started to organize the first TRADITIONAL INTERNATIONAL CAMP, each summer from 1 -15 of July in Ohrid. The Camp has special program, including educational school for democracy and tribunes “In the name of my generation”.

After the Camp finishes the guests from abroad take part in the CARAVAN FOR FRIENDSHIP with name “THE DANCE OF PEACE THROUGH MACEDONIA” from 15 -19 of July. This event is very important for the CPM because all parliaments in Macedonia organize activities during the caravan and therefore present the Macedonian culture, history and geography to the foreign guests.

On March 22, 2001 in Veles CPM held the Conference “Subject matter, methods and form of working in CPM”.

From 8 - 11 of May 2002 CPM organized the BALKAN SPORT TOURNAMENT supported by the Agency of youth and sport. This was very important tournament for us because these were the last steps for one idea (brought on the International camp) about BALKAN CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT.

From 21-24 may 2003 the WORLD CHILDREN’S CONGRESS “Children’s rights” was held. We made Declaration which was sent to all children’s parliaments on the Balkan. On this congress the BALKAN INITIATIVE BOARD was formed in order BALKAN CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT to be formed.

The problematic 2004 including death of the president Trajkovski, early president elections, the referendum forced us to postpone the First Balkan Children’s Congress for the next year.

This event will happen on 27 - 30.10.2005. On the Congress the children’s parliaments made the Declaration for cooperation, two projects and the Working program for 2006.

- “The Balkan children walk together across Europe”

- “Europe - it is what we are”

- Working program of BCP and CPM for 2006.

We mentioned all our activities from 1998 till 2006, because they are all with International and Balkan character.

We publish the PROGRAM DOCUMENTS of CPM (including little information about CPM, aims, the status of CPM, projects and program for the following year as well).

The main orientation in the CPM is the PROJECTS. Some of them are continuously, some of them last one, two or three years.

Projects from 1999 (still in realization):

1. “THE DEMOCRACY AND YOUTH” (financially supported by the Ministry of science). This project included publishing of the books: “The democracy and youth” ( very well known experts took part in it, explaining the democracy from all aspects of today’s living - economical, political, social and scientific aspect ). This book was sample for three other books Democratic textbook with title “We have headache without democracy and children’s rights” for the children in kinder garden and first and second grade in primary school. And the other two books: (which are prepared but not published, because of financial problems) “Democratic reading book” for the students from primary school and “Democratic magazine” for the students from high school.

The CPM has published the following books too:

Manual for leaders of I and II level “Hello, my child’s right”, explaining the four pillars of CPM and the democracy, diplomacy, UN, EU and CE.

“My convention - my leader” with three sections including Convention of children’s rights written on children’s level and Sonnet - poem for the children’s rights.

“Codex of CPM” - including moral values and properties of one leader should posses.

This project “The democracy and youth”, started in 1999 but it is still valid because there are new generations of children in CPM and therefore it is current every year.

In 2002 with the foundation “Conrad Adenauer” the CPM organized education school “Democracy and youth” on Osogovo.

2. The second project “WITH THE CULTURE OF PIECE WE BUILD OUR FUTURE” was helped by the Japan foundation AAR carrying a name “Peaceful schools”. It was organized through all 8 regions of CPM (Tetovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Negotino, Berovo, Stip, Kumanovo and Skopje). This project carries on every year as well, because it works on problems like conflicts in schools based on ethnical intolerance (for ex. the events in Negotino, Kumanovo and Tetovo); the arrogance in the communication between the children, youth and teachers; misuse of the children in any way.

At this moment we are working on the manual “With my culture for my piece I contribute for the common piece”.

3. The project “LWT’S FIND THE LAST CHILDREN - SOCIAL CASE AND HELP HIM”. This project is continuously valid, because the number of children - social cases grows up, so it is current with its problem treatment.

4. The next project is “THE SOCIAL CASES TOGETHER WITH US ON THE INTERNATIONAL CAMP”. It started in 2000 and is valid till now. Every year 10, 20 or 30 children -social cases come free on the International camp “Peace and love for children”. Their cost is covered by our honorable president and sponsor as well Mr. Trifun Kostovski, who does not pay just for these kids but for the foreign guests as well.

We tend to develop the humanity between the children with this project and we are happy that we achieve this. This connects with our activity at the beginning of every school year when we collect school tools, books, clothes for the children social cases. We invite them on our activities and manifestation.

5. We most connect the project “ADDICTIVE ILNESSES - TODAY’S EVIL ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHILDREN” with the working part THE CHILD’S HEALTH MAKES HOLE PERSON. All manifestations and activities take place during the educational schools or some other events on special dates like the UN day, EU day etc.

6. The next project “WE SHAKE OUR HANDS AND ASSOCIATE WITH EACHOTHER” takes part during the International Camp in Ohrid as main part of the WORKING PROGRAM OF THE CAMP. The program includes the ceremonial opening and closing of the camp - bonfire, all other sport activities, cultural events, educational schools and the tribune “In the name of my generation”.

7.  The project “THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS THROUGH THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES” helps and encourages the children to work on their problem in their municipalities and to present them on the meetings through the cities and the municipalities. On this way they are as mobilized as they can be when it comes to their problems, but most important of all they offer solutions about them.

Each year the children choose the most characteristic topic from their place and present it in front of the Parliament. After the meeting in the Parliament these problems are put into Declaration or suggestions that go directly to the Government of RM, the Parliament or the President of RM. So far, several Declarations have been sent regarding the Law of children protection.

8. We connect the project “THE WORLD IS A GLOBAL VILLAGE” with the World family federation for piece and uniting. The CPM participates in their Assemblies (Washington DC, Israel, South Korea) and its ideas are very well accepted.

This project includes cycle of lectures named “Religion and the youth”. Their main point is to introduce the children with the unifying rule - let all religions unite themselves in order to stop the religion and ethnical wars. Let all people in the world accept and live with their differences.

9.  The project “ON THE WINGS OF THE NATURE THE LIFE IS BETTER” is a continuous project, because the Convention of children’s rights clearly states that every child has its own right to live in clear environment. That means we should avoid the bad ecological habits if we want to create real conditions for child’s work.

The activities in this project are mainly on local level and those of common interest are put in the list of manifestations and activities on national level. Many eco problems are included in the programs of the local parliaments. CPM supported the initiative meeting for the catastrophic consequences from Zletovo in Veles.

10. The project “I WANT MY VOICE HEARD FOR MY RADIO - TV PROGRAMS AND MY PRESS, WITH MY OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THEM” lasted 2 years in 2002 and 2003. It was financed by the COUNCIL OF RADIODIFUSION. The project tried to encourage the children to achieve their right of freedom of speech and own opinion. At the same time answered how much the mass media influence on the children, and how much the children estimated the questions in the questionnaire and interviews.

Realizing that this project becomes more and more current we want to realize it again. We have an idea of publishing all children’s statements, opinions, articles etc. released in the media.

11.  The present project “THE CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT OF MACEDONIA WANTS THE HANDICAPPED CHILDREN” offers reach program for collaboration and work between the handicapped children and the children in the CPM. The idea of this project was born in 2003 and 2004 during the International Camp, when several children with cerebral paralysis from Negotino and Kavadarci attended the camp. We have done this project in order to be non - stop together and hear what they have to say. This means that there will be new clubs of CPM in the Centers for handicapped children (Negotino and other places) and after that new activities and manifestations for and with them.

12. The project “WITH LOVE AND JOY FOR OUR GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHERS AND ALL OLD AND UNPROTECTED PEOPLE” tries to develop a humanitarian consciousness and love for the older ones, which represents one very important ethic and moral value - RESPECT AND LOVE FOR THE OLDER PEOPLE. At the same time this project will emphasize their importance like parents at first and after that like grandparents during the process of children’s development. This project offers big number of activities and manifestations which includes the children to show their humanity, love and respect by helping those who are alone, unprotected, exhausted of very ill. They will make their own programs for this. All members of CPM will be educated for this kind of job.

13. The last two projects are accepted on the FIRST BALKAN CHILDREN’S CONGRESS in Skopje and Ohrid from 27 - 30.10.2005 y. These projects and the Working program of BCP and CPM for 2006 are distributed to all children’s parliaments on the Balkan. Through these two projects

“The Balkan children walk together across Europe”

- “ Europe -  it is what we are”

- Working program of BCP and CPM for 2006

We want to realize all activities on regional level in Macedonia (through the eight cities mentioned above), especially round tables and tribunes where can we present the process of EUROINTEGRATION on three levels:

- With parents;

- With teachers;

- With students

And at the end at one unifying level named as “FOR ALL SEPARETLY - FOR ALL TOGETHER”. You may see the details in the attached projects and the Working program, but we stress the fact that we want to publish the

“EUROTEXTBOOK AND EURONOTEBOOK”

“ WE ARE ALL FOR EUROPE”

-  TV program from 10 episodes, for students from the primary and high schools, their parents and teachers.

In the following text we want to assume that the CPM works trough:

- Yearly working program, which later becomes CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AND MANIFESTATIONS, divided months by months;

- We make projects which are part form the Working program of CPM for the year extended;

-   CPM works as a team. Teams include all our collaborators - experts and scientists from all institutes, faculties, MAAS, some foundations and agencies, but most of all from EU - EC, CE, and The Government of R.M etc.

- The collaboration on Balkan, European, World level is trough the Balkan children’s, European’s children and World children’s parliament in Finland respectively. The Diaspora is included as well.

- In the future we will collaborate with the Red Cross of RM for the city of Skopje, in order all humanitarian values that this organization carries, and become principles for the work of CPM too.

Many our projects will be implemented together, for what we have been given permission for using an expanse for our meetings. The small and the big hall in the Home of the humanitarian organization “Dare Jambaz” - Skopje were approved to us.

Children’s parliament of Macedonia

- Address: Bul: Koco Racin no: 14-6/20 1000 Skopje, Macedonia

- E-mail: sk_simka@yahoo.com

- Web site: www.dpm.org.mk

- Phone: 02/3163-749; cell 070/599-120

- Bank account: 300000000097715

- Tax number: 4030998351368

- Deponent: Komercijalna Banka - Skopje