On the occasion of the International Tolerance Day, today in the People’s Office in Skopje, presentation of the implemented project “Sport as factor for tolerance, unity and respect” was held. The project was implemented at the initiative and under the auspices of President Ivanov, in cooperation with the Geo-strategic Institute “Global” and the municipalities of Tetovo, Prilep, Center, Staro Nagorichane, Vrapciste and Shuto Orizari.

The purpose of the project, which was conducted in the period March - October this year, was the children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds through sports to get to know each other and learn to respect the differences of others.

At today’s presentation, positive experiences from the beginning of this idea were indicated, the implementation of the project, up to the special recognition awarded for the efforts of the President for promotion and advancement of peace through sport, at the International Forum “Peace and Sport”, held in Sochi, Russia, at the beginning of November.

“Macedonia is a country of diversity, a country where people respect one another, a country in which the younger generations have a desire to socialize, learn from each other and share experiences, knowledge and their own values”, President Ivanov said at the event today.

Furthermore, the President recalled his childhood when, as he said, “our parents forcefully wanted to bring us home, because we were out all day with friends and growing up together, we learned about each other, and hung out with young children, Turks, Albanians in our daily play”.

"Today, parents are trying to make their children go out and play, because new technologies, Internet and Facebook, makes these new generations stay at home", President Ivanov said, adding that with this project we gathered the children together in the same field and showed them how young generations need to communicate, to get to know each other and learn about the importance of tolerance.

The prize from Sochi, as President Ivanov said, is a prize for all, a prize for Macedonia.

"The peace prize was only awarded to us as an example of a country that has always respected differences, a country trying to promote its traditions, heritage through sport, in order to attain peace and understanding", President Ivanov said.

Today's event, marking the International Tolerance Day with concrete results, was supported with the presence of the US Ambassador, Paul Wohlers, UK Ambassador, Christopher Yvon, and the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Maria Henriette Shurman. The project presentation was attended by the mayors of the municipalities and some of the children who were involved, a number of Macedonian sport legends, sport journalists and numerous sport supporters.