Skopje, 11 October 2024 (MIA) - Minister of Culture and Tourism, Zoran Ljutkov, spoke Friday at the Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Forum, organized by the School for Young Leaders, under the patronage of the former President of North Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov.

According to the Ministry of Culture, while addressing the topic "Young Leaders in International Cooperation, Sustainable Development, and Global Peace," Ljutkov encouraged the youth, stating that they are the driving force of the future, possessing the power to bring about change and shape the future with vision and courage.

“Leadership is not merely a title; it is action. Be courageous, trust in yourselves, and inspire the world with your energy, passion, and determination. Macedonia, as a member of the United Nations, is implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which acknowledges that peace and security are essential for achieving sustainable development, and that sustainable development lays the groundwork for peaceful societies. Young people are integral to this agenda. Immediate actions are required to ensure peace and humane societies. Culture occupies a central role in these processes. It must be prioritized in development policies, as it often faces threats as a defining feature of a society's identity,” he noted.

Ljutkov pointed out that culture is a particularly vulnerable category, but, on the other hand, culture is a powerful weapon for the global unification of humanity.

“That is exactly the strength of cultural diplomacy, which possesses so-called ‘soft power’ to create connections between states. Its aim is to foster positive relations among peoples through the exchange of art, language, and tradition. Cultural diplomacy facilitates greater understanding and overcomes stereotypes, building trust and friendly relations among diverse communities, and transcending conflicts of all kinds. This is why the connection between culture and global peace is unavoidable,” Ljutkov said.

Before the panelists from various global institutions and participants of the School for Young Leaders, Ljutkov spoke to the youth, emphasizing that while the world is full of uncertainty, it is also rich in potential that needs to be utilized. 

He further noted that the skills and vision of young people are the instruments capable of transforming uncertainty into opportunities.

He referred to the importance of knowledge and wisdom in the maturation process of young people, but also encouraged them to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives, as stated in the press release.

The second Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Forum of the School for Young Leaders themed "Young Leaders in International Cooperation, Sustainable Development, and Global Peace” kicked off with addresses by Ivica Bocevski, the special representative of the Macedonian government during Hungarian EU presidency, former president Gjorge Ivanov and the President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova.

Participating in the forum are high-ranking officials from countries worldwide, UNESCO, the European Parliament, along with ministers and ambassadors.

Photo: Ministry of Culture and Tourism