"WALKING TOWARDS A UNITED EUROPE - the Case of Human Rights in 
Central and Eastern Europe", Ohrid, JEF-Europe and JEF-Macedonia 
regional training seminar


JEF Macedonia in co-operation with JEF Europe is proud to announce a 
regional training seminar "Walking towards a United Europe - the Case 
of Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe," to take place in 
Macedonia's beautiful lake-side resort of Ohrid between 11 and 16 
February 2003.

  The Republic of Macedonia is a relatively small European state in 
terms of its territory and population, but rich in diverse ethnical 
groups that have lived there. At the same time, this country of 
numerous natural beauties, has witnessed a long and painful 
transition to market economy and the rule of democracy and law. All 
these characteristics make Macedonia a typical example of a country 
in the Balkan region. At the same time there are a lot of harmful 
stereotypes, both among the ethnic groups that have lived side by 
side in this region as well as between the Balkans and the West, that 
stand in the way of progress of the region and its full incorporation 
in the European integration processes.

JEF Macedonia and JEF Europe thus believe that it is high time to 
launch a true, open, and honest debate about the future of the region 
and its place in Europe.

Topics to be tackled during the week, but not to be limited to 
include: the general level of democracy in Macedonia and the region 
with a special focus on the protection of human rights, minority 
rights, and active participation - especially the youth. The role of 
civil society and views on the future of the region will also be 
among the main topics discussed, along with the general introduction 
to the political and economic situation in Macedonia.

  The inspection of concrete possibilities of active involvement and 
participation of the region's Youth in making a positive change will 
be one of the priorities of this seminar.

The organisers thus call upon young people from Macedonia and the 
broader region of the Balkans to come to Ohrid and spend a week in 
company of 15 local and 15 regional participants.

More information and the application form are available on our 
website (www.jef-europe.net).