THE MCIC ESTABLISHED AWARDS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY AND FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HERT JAN VAN APELDOORN 

Strengthening of what we are allready good at

For the newly established Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation awards, why are they granted and what is the idea standing behind them, we talk with the MCIC Executive Director, Mr. Saso Klekovski

Why awards?
There are several reasons to stimulate a certain development. One of the possible ways is to establish role models or "heroes" and strengthen the already strong. The awards mark the role models and encourage the others to act in same direction. We all need to be acknowledged and tapped on the shoulder.

What awards did MCIC establish?
The Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation (MCIC) established two awards: the Award for Civil Society and Democracy and the Award for Sustainable Development Hert Jan van Apeldoorn.
The idea for the Award for Civil Society and Democracy was born in 1998. MCIC then won the prestige EU/USA Award for Civil Society and Democracy. We were very proud on the Diploma signed by Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Jack Santair. Along with the diploma we received a check on $20,000. We were supposed to present what are we going to do with the money. We thought that it would be best if we establish a fund out of which we would further on grant a domestic award.

Three years later, the idea is realised.
The idea for the Award for Sustainable Development Hert Jan van Apeldoorn was born somewhat before the other one, while considering how to mark the memory of Hert Jan van Apeldoorn. That is the man that in 1993/94 worked in Macedonia for the Dutch Inter-Church Aid and helped MCIC and many other organizations to start development initiatives.

Aren’t there too many awards in the country?
Generally, it may be true. There are many awards in Macedonia, but usually they are reserved for sector as the culture, the science and the economy.
We consider the civil society, democracy and the sustainable development sectors where improvement of the status is needed. We decided to contribute to the building of new values and priorities.