Skopje - Upon invitation of the high school “Goce Delcev” from Kumanovo, IOM North Macedonia joined the discussion on migrant protection and on safe and orderly migration with over 40 high school students participating in the Erasmus+ project titled “A Long Walk to Freedom and Dignity”.

In the scope of the event, Vanja Lazaridis, Project Manager at IOM North Macedonia provided the participants with a brief overview of the work of IOM and the efforts in the context of migrant assistance.

The event also included a screening of the documentary “To Kyma”, a story of an inspiring endeavour by a group of Spanish volunteer lifeguards who have moved to the Greek island of Lesbos during the 2015 European migrant and refugee crisis, and how their full vocation of service, altruism and professionalism have made them beloved heroes in the island and even abroad. The documentary has produced an excellent discussion on what the students can do to help people in need and “how can a lot be achieved with so little”, leading to a conclusion of youth activism and support to people on the move and vulnerable populations in general.

During the conference, as well as during all activities carried out as part of this project, the participants, high school teachers and students from Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkey and North Macedonia had the opportunity to learn more about the concept of migration in the modern society, as well as to understand how Europe, to a large extent, is a result of ongoing migration and integration processes, an old phenomenon that had positive effects on the countries involved.

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For more information, please contact iomskopje@iom.int