Open Forum on Anti-Corruption
On the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, on December 6 and 7, the first “Open Forum on Anti-Corruption” was held in the Holiday Inn in Skopje within the framework of the “Citizens Against Corruption” program and the “Regional Anti-Corruption Network (SELDI)”, which is funded by the American Agency for International Development USAID and the EU, and implemented by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC). The forum was opened by the president Stevo Pendarovski, who emphasized that, unfortunately, corruption has become our everyday life and way of life. The consequences of this situation are visible to all citizens. Corruption generates poverty and social injustice, which deepens divisions in Macedonian society, accelerates emigration, as it practically nullifies the system of merit in employment and promotion. The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union, David Gir, stated that the progress in the rule of law and the fight against corruption are of critical importance for the movement on the road to the EU, but above all for the citizens of the country. Slavica Grkovska, Vlada, Biljana Ivanovska, DKSK, Maksim Acevski, DZR, German Filkov, CGK, Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska, MCMS had their presentations at the panel discussion on whether we have fulfilled our promises to fight against corruption. There were multiple sessions with parallel events in several halls. Journalists and organizations shed light on corrupt practices, inform citizens and encourage action when institutions do not react. The NEXT-EM company also participated in this two-day forum.