Round Table Discussion

The round table initiative aimed to raise the discussion in the public discourse about the needs and benefits of religious education and talk about the status of the school subject “Ethics in Religion” in primary education in particular.

In his opening speech, Daniel Braun, official representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in North Macedonia and Kosovo expressed foundation’s standing for the support of religious education to continue be offered as an integral part of the curriculum in the country. He underlined that religious education is not only important in order to learn about the values and background of one's own religion, but also to develop understanding and tolerance for the values and traditions of other religions. In this context, all religions have something important to contribute, and especially in Republic of North Macedonia, where so many different religions are represented in one place, it is important to get an impression of the cultural and religious diversity through religious education.

Reis ul Ulemma Haji Shaqir Efendi Fetahu, head of the Islamic Religious Community stressed the importance of all religions in the country working together for love and tolerance, regardless of ethnicity or cultural and religious background.

Metropolitan Josif, Diocese of Tetovo and Gostivar emphasized the benefits from religious education to the society and once again reaffirmed the continuous support of the Macedonian Orthodox Church towards strengthening the interreligious dialogue in the country.

Pater Vinko Maslakj, Cathedral priest of the Catholic Church in Skopje made a comparison of the status of religious education in primary schools in Croatia with the situation in North Macedonia, by thus stressing that such subject should definitely continue to be part of the curricula.

The President of the Jewish Community, Pepo Levi, accentuates the importance of mutual respect and common moral values. Even if they have different approaches, the different religious communities are united by a common goal. It is necessary to help young people find the right path, regardless of their religious affiliation. Together, through mutual understanding and respect, which are taught in religious education, it is possible to build a better society and create a better future.

Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Spasenovski, former Member of Parliament and lecturer at the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus” pointed out that the subject of religion is offered as standard in many other European countries and such subject should therefore not be missing from the Macedonian curriculum. He regretted that "Ethics in Religions" is not mentioned at all in the educational concept prepared in 2021. Prof. Spasenovski expressed three specific recommendations to the parliamentarians present at the roundtable. He urged the MPs firstly to make full use of the possibilities provided under the Macedonian Constitution, secondly to use their contacts in the Parliament and in the Government to ensure the preservation of the subject in the education system and thirdly to establish a group of MPs dealing with religious freedom, as a dialogue above party lines is important and to take the multi-confessional background into account.

The professor of the Faculty of Islamic Science, Prof. Dr. Hasan Dzilo, underlined the unique advantage that the component of ethics brings to religious education. As he explains, ethics is a universal concept, something that all religions present have in common and thus can serve as a link to promote inclusivity and at the same time is also very beneficial for interethnic and interreligious dialogue. Dzilo stressed the need to create a perspective that includes everybody regardless of their religious affiliation.

Prof. Dr. Aneta Jovkovska from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology “St. Clement of Ohrid” first presented the situation of religious education in other European countries and then highlighted four advantages that could be observed among students of the subject "Ethics in Religions". Her research shows that students who have attended the subject "Ethics in Religions" are further in their spiritual development, show more interest in other religions, act more solution-oriented and show more solidary behavior compared to other students.

MP Fisnike Bekteshi Shakjiri emphasized the right of children in North Macedonia to religious education and freedom of religion according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, she added that due to the numerous challenges nowadays, it is of great importance for the future generations to fully develop their personality, which is why it is so important to learn the values that are taught in religious education.

MP Nikola Micevski, expressed his regret that the new reforms exclude religious education from the curriculum and at the same time urged the state not to discriminate at this point and to continue to support the subject "Ethics in Religions", as students should have the opportunity to learn about the different religions and this can also contribute to an improvement in the understanding of history.

MP Arber Ademi affirmed that his party is available to support and promote interreligious dialogue in North Macedonia, as it is something all citizens could gain benefits from. He also pointed out the problem that degrees of religious secondary schools in North Macedonia are still not officially recognized, thus denying the graduates access to broader higher education. He proposed another meeting with the representatives of the religious communities in order to find a common consensus.

MP Ivanka Vasilevska has shared her opinion about the challenges which are upon the status of religious education in the country, she urged for an immediate solution and raise awareness for the necessity, importance and the role of religion as well as ethical principles over the educational process.

The round table discussion was attended by Ms. Maja Bicikliska, State advisor and Ms. Jasmina Vukichevikj, Special advisor at the Ministry of education and science, who informed about the latest developments with the subject Ethics in religions and indicated their preparedness for cooperation in order to find solution regarding the status of the subject in the curricula.

The event was moderated by nun Efimija Zajkovska, Co-founder and Coordinator of the Association of professors of Ethics in religions.

On this occasion the Analysis “In the second decade with the subject Ethics in Religion” was promoted. We invite all interested to take further read of the electronic version of the Analysis at the following link.