SKOPJE, 5 April 2024 – Encouraging young people to engage in constructive narratives, strengthening intercultural dialogue, inclusion and gender equality is paramount to fostering mutual understanding and trust between young people in the region. This was concluded at today's press conference at Europe House in Skopje, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in North Macedonia, in cooperation with the Special Olympics and with the support of the Delegation of the European Union in North Macedonia and the UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, at which the Regional Swimming Competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities was officially presented.
The sport event is organized within the framework of the UN project "Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust" and will be held from April 5th to April 7th , 2024, at the pool at SC Boris Trajkovski in Skopje.
The purpose of the event is to promote awareness of inclusion, equal opportunities for all and regional cooperation among young people through sports, as a basis for building common values and a future. This competition provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and celebrate diversity through sport and friendship.
At the press conference, speakers shared their commitments and the importance of strong support for such initiatives.
The Ambassador of the European Union in North Macedonia, David Geer, pointed out: “This regional swimming competition brings together swimmers with intellectual disabilities to display their skills and celebrate diversity. Events like this reaffirm our shared commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive society - where every individual is valued and where all talents are used to the full. Above all it’s an occasion for fun for both participants and supporters”.
For Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia the world of sports is much more than the results achieved.
“It is the best functioning platform for bringing together people from different ethnic groups, nations, cultures, religions, and possibilities’, says Dudziak. “This is something that must be more greatly appreciated and applauded, as it is a vital mechanism for bringing down existing barriers between different groups, regardless of the cause of the difference between them. In that spirit, I am immensely proud to be here today and to be able to announce this first of its kind Regional swimming competition that is being organized as part of the project Youth for inclusion, equality and trust, financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund.”
John Kennedy Mosoti, director of UNFPA for North Macedonia, emphasized the goal of the initiative to amplify the voices and aspirations of young people from the Western Balkans.
“Our aim is to provide a platform for engagement, unite young people from diverse backgrounds, fostering communication and exchange through sports, culture, civic education, and community projects,” said Kennedy Mosoti, emphasizing the positive narratives of achieving cohesion.
Matteo Secchi, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Sports Manager, expressed gratitude for the support received and emphasized the importance of the partnership with UNFPA and the support of the Delegation of the European Union in North Macedonia and the UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, in promoting the equality of people with intellectual disabilities, adding: "After the resounding success of the Special Olympics Western Balkans Unified 3x3 Basketball tournament hosted by Special Olympics Albania last year, this swimming competition is another cooperative step toward bringing quality sports opportunities and inclusion to this region."
The competitions will take place during the weekend, namely on April 6th in the morning the qualifying races will be held, and on April 7th at noon the final competitions are planned, the ceremony of the awards, after which the event will be closed.
The United Nations project "Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust" (2022-2024), is dedicated to fostering constructive narratives, intercultural dialogue and gender equality among young people in the Western Balkans. Through various activities, including sports, culture, civic education and community projects, the initiative aims to foster mutual understanding and trust in the region, while combating negative propaganda, hate speech and digital violence.
