Current Projects    Past Projects    News    Members    Youth in Action    RIVER SEE    Contact Us    Join Us    Home

• From January 1998 to December 1998, The Institute for Sustainable Communities, in Phase I of its Democratic Network Program (USAID Project) funded: Local Preventive Action Plan,
  This project was designed to build a coalition between local NGOs and citizens, in order to resolve local problems associated with juvenile delinquency. Tribunes, roundtables, and media presentations were conducted in order to actively involve citizens in decision-making, and resolving the issues of juvenile delinquency. Through this process, CPJD successfully lobbied the City Council of Kavadarci to adopt new laws governing cafe bars' working hours and put tighter restrictions on their operating policies. The grant also funded the publication of A Road Through Temptations, a compilation of information gathered from the tribunes, roundtables, as well as poetry, essays, and artwork from local school children.

• From September 1998 to February 2000, The Institute for Sustainable Communities, in Phase II of its Democratic Network Program (USAID Project) funded: Preventive Action Plan for Republic of Macedonia
  Building on the first phase, this project sought to expand the findings of the tribunes and develop an action plan for Macedonia. Through the cooperation of local NGOs, municipalities, and schools, surveys were conducted in 23 cities, complete with development of eight priorities for addressing juvenile delinquency in Macedonia. In February 2000, CPJD published The Preventive Action Plan for the Republic of Macedonia. CPJD is currently working on implementing strategic activities derived on this plan.

• In November 1999, Foundation Open Society Institute sponsored: Seminar for Preventive Action Plan for the Republic of Macedonia,
  CPJD conducted a seminar to analyze the survey results with representatives from the ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs, as well as the courts, judges, school and sport representatives. The seminar resulted in developing eight (8) priorities for addressing juvenile delinquency in Macedonia, with an action plan for each priority.

• In December 1999, Local Government of Kavadarci & local businessmen sponsored: 2000 pictures & 2000 sweets
  Children from kindergartens and students from schools made 2000 works of art, and their mothers made 2000 sweets, in honor of the coming year 2000 and the beginning of the new millennium.

• From March 2000 to August 2000, Macedonian Center for International Cooperation funded: Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency,
  In conjunction with Local Self-Government and educational institutions, CPJD organized creative and sport activities in order to promote efforts for prevention of juvenile delinquency.

• In August 2000, The Royal Norwegian Embassy, funded: The Youth English and Environmental Camp,
  This camp brought together 60 children from Kavadarci, Negotino, and Rosoman, who participated in a youth-centered camp for one week. Camp activities focused on teaching English and environmental studies. The camp was a collaborative effort with United States Peace Corps Volunteers and CPJD volunteers, who taught English and ecology together, using active learning strategies. A manual was prepared to assist other organizations in preparing and conducting camps for children.

• In September 2000, CPJD managed the " Citizens for citizens " project in the municipalities of Kavadarci and Negotino. CPJD volunteers acted as independent observers during the local elections in Republic of Macedonia.

• From September to October, 2000, UNICEF funded: Juvenile Justice Seminar,
  CPJD, in collaboration with UNICEF and Defense of Children International, organized and prepared seminars for 80 local and international experts, such as prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, police, correctional officers, and lawyers, to come out with recommendations to the Macedonian government on the current juvenile justice system.

• From October 2000 to December 2001, The Institute for Sustainable Communities, funded: Phase III: A Step Ahead,
  "A Step Ahead" project is an effort to implement the highest priority from the Preventive Action Plan from Phase II: The establishment of a separate justice system for juvenile offenders. CPJD is working on developing the " Juvenile Penal Code ", using comparative analysis of existing laws from Europe and the United States.

• From November 2000 to April 2001, World Learning Int. (USAID Project) funded: Education of members of local NGOs on implementation of Preventive Action Plan, Using Open Space Technology methods, CPJD was educating members of the NGO network in Kavadarci and Negotino on preventive action planning in order to strengthen their organizational capacity. CPJD conducted four (4) one day workshops and two (2) weekend seminars with local NGO representatives to share best practices, as well as create a database of organizations working on youth issues.

• From December 2000 to March 2001, UNICEF funded: Analysis of the Situation of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice System in Macedonia,
  CPJD was contracted to analyze, update and publish Analysis of the Situation of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice System in Macedonia. This publication provides the most recent information and data on the juvenile justice system in Macedonia, based on statistics and United Nations documents. Two thousand copies will be printed and distributed throughout Macedonia, in three languages: Macedonian, Albanian, and English.

• From March 2001 to March 2002, UNICEF, funded: Phase I of the Babylon Center,
  The Babylon Center provides children ages 7 to 18 with an opportunity to participate in alternative activities, such as: learning computer skills, English language skills, life skills, and being involved in artistic and civic activities. CPJD manages and operates the Babylon Center for the community of Kavadarci, and has created a network of support for its activities, including creating an advisory board, and providing logistical support for clubs and conferences.

• From July 2001 to December 2001, The World Bank funded: Non-Formal Education Activities,
  The World Bank sponsored extra-curriculum activities for Roma children and youth, which will take place in outdoor settings. It will provide children with better understanding about the nature and will increase their awareness of environmental problems facing Macedonia.

• During September 2001, Foundation Open Society Institute sponsored: Peace against war - it depends on us,
  CPJD organized a public campaign on the contract for peace implementation, facilitating workshop and round tables with experts on International Criminal Law, and participation of the local representatives. An adequate brochure was published and distributed in three regional municipalities.

• From September 2001 to September 2002, The Delegation of the EU, through European Commission for Democracy and Human Rights, fund: Reforms in the criminal justice system, and specifically, the rights of convicted people and their penal sentencing.
  The main activities will include: 1) Analysis of National justice documents, as well as International Documents, Standards and Laws, in order to determine the directions of legal changes; 2) Production of draft text of changes and additions to Penal Justice Law; 3) Design and printing of 500 promotional flyers and 100 posters lobbying for changes to the Law; 4) Lobbying to the Government and Parliament in order to promote the legal reforms, and additions to the Law for Delivering of Penal Sentencing to Convicted Criminals.

• The Council for Prevention against Juvenile Delinquency has published the following documents:
  Peace against war - it depends on us: Contract for Peace, September, 2001, funded by Foundation Open Society Institute and USAID.
  Analysis of the Situation of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice System in Macedonia, April, 2001, funded by UNICEF, Available in Macedonian, Albanian, and English.
  Steps towards ladder of success, May, 2000, funded by local communities and businesses.
  The Preventive Action Plan for the Republic of Macedonia, March, 2000, funded by the Institute
  for Sustainable Communities & USAID, available in Macedonian.
  A Road Through Temptations, May, 1999, funded by The Institute for Sustainable Communities & USAID, available in Macedonian.

• MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS

  The project idea was born in November 2003 in Belgrade when was organized a Contact-making seminar by the Norwegian National Agency. The Contact-making seminar took place in Belgrade , Serbia & Montenegro . The seminar brought together 25 people, who came from different realities and backgrounds, but with same field of employment. I must reiterate the Norwegian National Agency coordinator's (Erik) words from the beginning of the seminar: “We have a very concrete aim with this seminar – that is to create youth projects between us, within the frame of the European Youth Program. It is important for us also to exchange realities, methodologies, perspectives on youth policy etc. but the seminar is a failure if we are not able to plan concrete youth exchanges! It is not enough only to have a great and interesting time between us all (which is also very important and I am sure that it will be), but we want young people in our countries and from our organizations to get a chance to meet each other as an outcome of this seminar”. These outcomes were realized, in that all underlying goals from the seminar were achieved. Such as focusing on Intercultural learning as the core of youth exchange, how to run a successful youth exchange, learning about the European Youth Program within the framework criteria, financial support, and also to think about potential partners. The last aim of this seminar was to make plans with partners from other regions in Europe . Here was born the idea of our project named “Music without borders”. The youth exchange of this project allowed young people from very different countries, including Macedonia and Serbia & Montenegro from one side and Norway and Sweden from the other, to meet each other. By very different I mean, Macedonia and Serbia & Montenegro are southeast countries in Europe and Norway and Sweden the northeast countries from Europe . Despite these differences, this was not an obstacle bringing five young musicians from each country together to make a concert program where the music was the common language among them. In the period of 8-9 July in Mosjoen (Norway) where the main activities were arranged, a preparatory meeting took place between one musician and one group leader from each country in order to discuss proposals for the music program and group composition the groups. When the program was set, everyone returned home with ideas how to prepare the group. During this period, the musicians had an opportunity to practice and prepare the songs that best represented their cultures, which they would later perform during the concert tour. On the 11 th of August the program activities started in one small place town near Mosjoen. The participants were given accommodations for four days there, where they were divided into four smaller groups consisting of musicians from different countries. In that small, nice, and quite place surrounded with green nature they practiced together for at least six hours per day. The young musicians worked hard in order to achieve the maximum benefit of this training. The final result of these four days was an original composition which represented a mix of Macedonian, Serbian, Norwegian, and Swedish music pieces. Throughout the concert tour, this composition was a common hymn and favorite among the audience. Many thanks to our “PROFESOR” Arvid Martinsen for all the preparations and during the concert tour where he gave maximum effort and energy to all musicians. Why “professor”? For Norwegian this word is with big mining. Actually Arvid Martinsen had task to prepare the young people” amateur musicians. Having in mind that project brought together unprofessional musicians who had only laic experiences on the music field where music successes united these young people. “Professor” Arvid took a role as a trainer who had huge experience playing with all kind of instruments and the same time huge patience and love to train them. He unselfish transferred on them all of his skills which he had achieved during his music career. In the evenings, there were different kinds of activities, such as: visiting concerts in the nearby towns, going out (visiting nice coffee bars), preparing international evenings where each country was responsible for presenting the music and the culture from where they came. After four preparatory days the concert tour started in four towns in Norway then continued in two towns in Sweden and finally finished in Mosjoen in Gille's coffee bar ( Norway ). The musicians had two concerts a day, where they represented themselves and their collective musical composition together in front of the audience. Was easy to recognize a satisfaction that they felt like real musicians, because they traveled together with the equipment and they took responsibility to arrange the stage. As the concert tour started, as well did the discoveries of the phenomena of Norway and Sweden . Beautiful fiords, Arctic Circle , short nights which were really fascinating to the young people from Macedonia and Serbia & Montenegro . The program of the concert tour was realized in four towns in Norway and with a concert in the Artic Circle where, except for the Norwegians, there were a lot of foreigners who had the opportunity to hear the music of the our Project. After Norway we moved to Sweden where we visited two Swedish town and made four concerts. After which, we returned to Norway and finished the concert tour in a beautiful place called Gille's in the town Mosjoen. The musicians were familiar with this place because most of their leisure time was spent there. Young musicians were proud because was nice to hear how Norwegian or Swedish people sing in Macedonian or Serbian language and vice versa. The concert tour ended, as well did the great time related with the lovely moments and big results that were achieved, but the contacts and great friendships that were made among all the participants have not. Everybody returned home with positive energy and great experiences that they gained from that exchange. Cultural diversity was promoted throughout the music as a common language project, here cultural barriers were broken and built in their place is a lasting friendship among these young people though their music. The unique problem that young musicians from Macedonia and Serbia&Montenegro were faced with high standard, and they used to compare prices. Was usual to hear from Serbian & Montenegrins and Macedonian to say

  “ I could buy ten beers for one in Norway”. Before to leave Macedonian and Serbian&Montenegrian people they agreed this project to continue in Macedonia and Serbia&Montenegro next year, but Norwegian people are afraid of hot days in Macedonia and Serbia& Montenegro but under condition the project to be realize in spring or authomn.

  • LET'S PLAY SOME OTHER GAME

    Goal:

    To improve the quality of formal, informal and non-formal education for children and youngsters on the topics of tolerance and non-violence.

    Purpose:

    1. To raise awareness among young people, teachers, parents, toy producers and sellers, media;

    2. To introduce peaceful and creative games;

    The project “Play some other game” officially started at 25 December 2003 .

    The implementation of project activities involved pupils and students from primary and secondary schools. During winter holiday in Babylon center were held several workshops with students from high schools on the topic of weapon consequences including games such as: Let's make a positive life story without violence and intolerance. Also in the workshops they have drew some pictures making parallel between what is good to do and what is not good to be done. Thanks to our long-term good cooperation with the Macedonian National Television, one of the high school leaders had live interview in children programme “ Dzvon” that she used to promote the project activities throughout Macedonia .

    High school students divided themselves in four smaller groups with about eight members per group and they decided how to implement the campaign: by distributing leaflets and posters, meetings with their schoolmates, interviews with the citizens. Each group wrote its own scenario with theme “destructive consequences of weapons”. We found the ideal way to get them more inspired through the video presentation of the movie “ Bowling for Columbine”. Their negative feelings about weapons and wars they have represented on their pictures and texts performances. It seemed to be the best way to propose a variety of interesting pictures that later were perfect basis for designers to produce the final look of the posters and leaflets.

    With the beginning of the second half of this school year, we have started with creativity workshops for the pupils from primary schools. The working groups were formed according to their age and spare time, because the majority of them were already visiting the other common activities in the “ Babylon “ Center.

    With pupils at ages 7-10 we started with video presentation of two cartoons. We have concluded that cartoons and cartoon books initiate huge interest at this age and they are provocative for different interpretations using images, words, sounds… In this way of work the educators have stimulated them to discuss, argue and work with ideas. It was so obvious that this way of work is useful in combating intolerance, having in mind that from very early age children become skilled in making sense of stories. Being provoked, children used their imagination, trying to change bad behaviors in the violent cartoons and changing them in positive behaviors of characters.

    The other way of work with children on this age that we practiced was collection of creative and non-violent games. Children were asking their parents and grandparents for games which they have played when they have been on this age. The collected games were practically performed on our workshops and the most interested and successful took their place in the Educational pack.

    The most creative things made in our workshops were taken by children at their homes in order to show on them parents, neighbors, younger brothers and sisters, cousins. On this way many children were indirectly involved in the campaign, spending their spare time making such things at home.

    We tried to achieve a balance between different styles of work, taking elements from one activity and combine them with another.

    Similar way of work was implemented with pupils from 11- 14 ages. Instead of cartoons we used presentations on computer games. We made parallel between violent and non-violent computer games. The usual discussions were “ What does make violent games more interesting than non-violent ”. We prepared a small dictionary of the most frequently used words in our workshops such as: violent, non-violent, aggression, tolerance etc. Participants gave their explanation, which later were published in the educational pack. An expert evaluated these notes and comments and he prepared the verses. These verses where published in the educational pack untitled as: “Our Peaceful Constitution”.

    These children also participated in preparatory performances, which allowed them to present their messages and desires to adults.

    High school students have distributed about 300 leaflets on the square in Kavadarci, where people fluid is the most frequent. These leaflets were also distributed to city officials and toy sellers, and the accompanying posters were placed at the school entrances, Municipality, the best visited shops in the city.

    The project officially finished on 7 of April, considering the fact that this is the World educational day of young people about weapons. It was an extraordinary opportunity that we used to promote our results trough drama performances, songs and poems about negative consequences from weapons, celebrating this day at the same time. The Event was held in the re-build Cultural House in Kavadarci, which provide excellent place for a lot of people to attend the event. Every guest received a copy of the educational pack and a leaflet. Officials from different backgrounds such as: local authorities, teachers, parents, children from schools and kindergarten, local medias attended the children and youngsters, performing the best selected moments from their previous activities.

    This brilliant end of the project was followed with the Educational pack. I includes: “ Our Peaceful Constitution ”; Games which have been collected and tested during the project implementation; A dictionary of most frequently used words and slogans from children about weapons.