Youth Exchange Youth Exchange ‘F.O.C.U.S. Globe’ ‘F.O.C.U.S. Globe’ Macedonia 2013Macedonia 2013

34 young people representing over 7 countries met in Skopje between 13th and 20th of May to discuss topics about finding a balance between living in big cities while being environmental friendly

Expectations• Raise awareness on human impact on

environment and ways to prevent it• Visible change (not just talk)• Learn from multicultural environment• To learn more about Youth in Action,

Mladiinfo & other NGOs• Learn new skills• Share experiencing• Future Cooperation• To build a friendly team • To have fun• To discover Macedonian culture and

traditions

1st day• We got acquainted and build up a

team• We gathered information about

the Youth in Action Programs• We enhanced our creativity by

making posters around the topic ‘Urban Environment as a Consequence of the Globalization’ and raised awareness of sustainable ways of living

• We suggested every day actions that can help the protection of our planet

2nd day• We discovered Skopje

through the City game

(history, environmental situation, local atmosphere)

• We discussed global environmental activities

(Let’s Do It!, perma-culture etc.)

• Dipping into macedonian culture through national food, music and dances

3rd day• We visited an unspoiled natural heritage of

Macedonia : Matka Canyon (hiking, cave, monasteries, kayaking etc)

4th dayClean Up day on Vodno – we collected garbage in the

resting area of Vodno mountain

By our example we tried to encourage visitors to be more responsible and aware of pollution of the mountain

5th day• We divided into 4 groups and prepared

promotion materials (video, fun page, interviews and summary)

Right now we are working on that

1. Many discussions on ecology, sustainable development topics and balance between modern day progress and contact with nature→ Much sharing in informal conversations

2. More official event → Non-formal learning process3. To discover Skopje, Macedonia → mission

accomplished!4. To build a team→ yep, managed 5. Sharing experience, educating other people → we

spoke a lot about our countries and shared each other’s cultures

6. Dirtier Vodno→ cleaner than what we thought

Expectations vs Reality

Suggestions for Everyday Actions• Promote information about recycling • Prevent waste of water and electricity at home• To use alternative sources of energy• Cycling as an everyday means of transport• To use plastic bottles many times and take water from home• Recycle• Do not litter, fines for littering• Respect others and nature• more trash bins around the city• Say ‘NO!’ to consumerism (reuse, reduce and THEN recycle)• Do not use plastic bags (take bags from home)• Alternative means of travelling-avoid planes for shorter trips• To buy local organic seasonal food from farmers or markets• Workshops to improve hand skills(gardening, build furniture….)• To be connected with nature and respect it• Shared gardens

Look for us in social medias:

• http://www.facebook.com/FocuseGlobe