The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Prilep formally launched the beginning of the project “Sport as a Factor of Tolerance, Unity and Respect” which includes students from six municipalities. This project, under the auspices of the President, has an aim to enable primary school students of these six communities, through sport, socializing, communication and visiting local cultural monuments, to be better acquainted with their peers who come from different cultural or ethnic communities, to develop a spirit of unity and mutual understanding and respect.

Socializing with children from Tetovo, Center-Skopje, Staro Nagoricane, Vrapciste, Suto Orizari and Prilep, along with the mayors of these six municipalities, at the first sport event in the sport hall “Sonce” near the tobacco factory “Tutunski Kombinat”, President Ivanov said that it is most important young people to understand unity as a solid foundation for a better life, and to focus their competitive spirit on achieving success.

“The project, implemented in five other municipalities, aims through sport to unite youth, to merge them, to let them know, to understand that we live in a country with different religions, cultures, languages, and through mutual acquaintance to learn about diversity and to respect it. They need to understand at a very young age our reality; we must live together and to promote and preserve it. Young people need to compete by doing good things and success and to learn that everything in life is achieved with commitment and effort”, President Ivanov said.

Mayor Marjan Ristevski said he was honored that the project was launched in Prilep, adding that every citizen's task is to cherish multi-nationalism.

"This project aims to contribute young people to grow healthy, in a multiethnic environment that is our greatest wealth. Children need to socialize and get acquainted, while sport is a great occasion for socializing. Friendships of this kind last forever", said Risteski.

The project includes prominent former Macedonian athletes. Former football players Artim Sakiri, Toni Micevski and Marjan Stanojkoski stressed that sport is especially important for all young people.

"We urge all young people to do sport. We would like them to become great talents one day and to represent us in the Macedonian national team. Children need to be given conditions to sport", the football legends said.

Holder of the project "Sport as a Factor of Tolerance, Unity and Respect" is the Association for Development Initiatives Geostrategic Institute 'Global' in partnership with the municipalities involved in its implementation - Prilep, Tetovo, Center-Skopje, Staro Nagoricane, Suto Orizari and Vrapciste. In the coming period similar sports and cultural events will be organized in the other municipalities. Support for the implementation of the project was also provided by the business community and several institutions.