Skopje, 25 September 2024 (MIA) - The feeling of lacking opportunities, demotivating jobs, undervalued efforts and low salaries, unfair access to jobs despite qualifications, institutional politicization, widespread corruption and nepotism, inadequate quality of life in the healthcare system and environment are some of the reasons why young people from North Macedonia, who graduated in Slovenia, don't want to return to the country.

"We want to contribute to the country, be here with our families and friends, but we also want so see real change," said one panelist and student at the conference organized by the Slovenian Embassy in cooperation with the Macedonian Government, addressing the brain-drain in the country and how after graduating in Slovenia, young people can come back and invest their capacities and potential for the country's economic growth.

The conference entitled "From Slovenia to North Macedonia: Synergy of Education and Business," presented the findings of a research by the Macedonian Student Organization in Slovenia (MSOS) about experiences and advantages from studying in Slovenia - the student standard, modern university infrastructure, equipped laboratories, funded volunteering and entrepreneurship opportunities. According to the data, a total of 1,697 Macedonian students enrolled in Slovenian universities for free in 2023/2024.

MSOS President Kristijan Popovski presented the reasons that discourage young people from returning home, along with recommendations on overcoming that issue.

"Young people do not leave only to ensure greater financial income, or because they truly want to. We, expat youths, feel like we cannot survive in this current environment. This issue requires changes in the education system and transforming the knowledge acquiring process. There is a lack of trust that change can happen. Motivation and hope are diminishing, as is the lack of trust that institutions and all of us as a society can do our jobs," Popovski stressed.

In his opening remarks, Slovenian Ambassador Gregor Presker, said that his country needs high-quality and highly-educated cadres, which is something that our country also needs. Therefore, the goal of the conference is to connect all interested stakeholders in creating opportunities, mechanisms, and conditions necessary for young people to return to their homeland.

"We are sure that most of them want to return and use their knowledge and experience to contribute to the overall development of North Macedonia. Our embassy has established excellent cooperation with MSOS and, among other things, we offer support by organizing annual events where MSOS representatives can share their experiences of living and studying in Slovenia to all potential students from North Macedonia, which is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the potential for studying in Slovenia. We help connect students with executive officials who can create the necessary policies that will contribute to greater care for all those who wish to return to the country. We also connect them to representatives of Slovenian and Macedonian companies who require educated and highly-qualified workforce," Presker said.

Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska stated that the country is proud of its minds, but also deeply concerned by the growing trend of emigrating young people.

"This must be resolved. The data is alarming. The reasons for migrating are clear- dissatisfaction with salaries, limited opportunities, and lack of trust in institutions. This is not the Macedonia we want, nor the one we are committed to building. We must ask ourselves how to create an environment where young people will not only wish to stay, but also feel inspired to return and contribute to the country's future. How to ensure that Macedonia can offer the same or other and better opportunities from what others can offer. This is not a challenge we can solve on our own, but one that demands collective action," Bozhinovska highlighted.

Deputy Minister of Economy Marjan Risteski said that the Government's priority will be not only to keep young people from leaving, but also ensure jobs or support for start-up companies and business for those that already left.

He added that all student panelist will be invited to the Ministry of Economy and Labor next week for assistance in the creation of new employment measures for young people. ssh/ba/

Photo/video: MIA