Skopje, 24 March 2026 (MIA) — Minister of Internal Affairs Panche Toshkovski, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska and OSCE Ambassador Killian Wahl launched a campaign Tuesday to warn young people about the dangers of small arms, telling students that "life does not have a restart."

Organized by the National Commission for Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Ministry of Interior and the OSCE, the campaign aims to reduce weapon use through education and community involvement.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Toshkovski warned that weapons should never be romanticized. He noted that a single moment of carelessness can devastate families and communities. He said violence prevention was a "shared obligation" for parents, schools and the government.

Minister Janevska urged parents to check their children's backpacks if they notice unusual behavior. She said schools need to remain peaceful environments focused on friendship rather than conflict.

"There is nothing attractive about carrying weapons," she said.

Ambassador Wahl said young people were often exposed to media normalizing violence. 

"Although access to weapons may be limited, exposure to content that romanticizes violence remains a concern. That is why it is essential to reward healthy choices, to encourage empathy, respect and responsibility," Wahl said, highlighting the importance of non-violent conflict resolution.

The campaign, titled "Life Does Not Have a Restart; Weapons Are Not a Game," was launched at Skopje's Vlado Tasevski High School. 

Organizers plan to visit schools across the country to promote safety and responsibility. 

The campaign is part of a project titled "Assisting the National Authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to Decrease the Risk of Weapon Proliferation and Misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons" within a broader OSCE effort to help national authorities reduce weapon use. mr/