Macedonian alumni recently organized a security roundtable, inviting representatives from government ministries, NGOs, NATO representatives, university faculty and students and media. An audience of 60 to include 33 alumni gathered at Army House to hear presentations and engage in discussion about defense management.
Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Iljaz Halimi (SES 2007-3) gave the opening address, highlighting the progress already made in defense transformation. Prof. Dr. Zoran Nacev, Faculty of Philosophy and Head of Institute for Defense and Peacekeeping Studies, began the program with a presentation entitled, ‘Defense Management Process’, which outlined the advances made in the defense sector, noting the creation of a Center for Crisis Management and Risk Analysis.
Marshall Center professor Dr. Dragan Lozancic continued the program with a presentation entitled, “Civil-Military Relations: Democratic Control and Implementation of International Norms.” He emphasized as one of his points the challenges to the armed forces to defend and protect its population without becoming a threat to that nation’s rights and liberties. LTC Jordan Ugrinovski (EP 2001-1) gave the final presentation which focused on the practical aspects of management and coordination in the transformation of the Macedonian armed forces.
Since the association was formed in 2005, they have planned and conducted two programs a year, ranging in topics from border security to terrorism as a global threat.
Prof. Dr. Zoran Nacev, Faculty of Philosophy and Head of Institute for Defense and Peacekeeping Studies, discusses the negative aspects of political influence in the defense sector.
Dr. Lozancic (center) emphasizes the importance of people in an organization during discussions. (left) COL (ret.) Zafir Popovski, (EP 1996-2, SES 2000-4) and Dr. Stojan Slaveski (EP 2002-1, SES 2005-5) look on.
(right) LTC Mitko Saraliev (LC 2002-6) although posted in Sofia was able to attend the roundtable in Skopje as well as the one in Bulgaria last month! Here pictured with COL (ret.) Nikola Georgiev (EP 1991-1).
Marshall Center professor Dr. Dragan Lozancic (second from right) poses with recent graduates of PASS 2008-1 (left to right) CPT Lazar Josifovski (LPASS), CPT Igor Cvetanoski (LPASS) and LTC Vidan Panzevski (EPASS).
(left to right) Carrying on the discussions after the roundtable are Ms. Afrdita Volina (EPASS 2006-1); Ms. Biljana Popovska, Interpreter; COL (ret.) Zafir Popovski and Mr Branko Miloseski, State Adviser, MOD.
