This document provides information about the "European Association of History Educators" workshop titled "History that Connects" held in Stip, Macedonia from April 20-22, 2012. The workshop aimed to strengthen the organizational capacity of history educators, present examples of integrated history education, and discuss challenges and solutions for teaching history in Macedonia. International participants from the Netherlands, Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey attended, along with representatives from history teacher associations in the region. The workshop included presentations, workshops, and discussions on curriculum, textbooks, and teaching practices. It was supported by the Belgian and Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
1. European Association of History Educators
History that Connects
How to Teach Sensitive Topics in Macedonia
2nd Capacity Building and Curriculum Workshop
Stip, Macedonia
20-22 April 2012
Aims
To strengthen the organisational and networking capacity of the Association of
History Educators in Macedonia
To present and discuss concrete examples of Integrated History Education in
Macedonia
To continue the research, supported by the Minister of Education of Macedonia,
into challenges and solutions for Integrated History Education in Macedonia
To share experiences and challenges for international Education from UNICEF
and the Turkish Association of History Educators.
To strengthen the connections between different stakeholders in History
Education
To share and reflect on different experiences from the region under the umbrella
of EUROCLIO
To bring together History Educators from different regions of Macedonia and
activate the Association National Network.
Arrival International Participants
Jonathan Even-Zohar, the Netherlands.
Arrival: 19th of April at 11.40 flight OS378V / OS779V from Amsterdam to Skopje.
Departure: 23th of April in the afternoon, by car to Pristina.
Mirjam Zeilmaker, The Netherlands.
Arrival: 19th
of April at 11.40 flight OS378V / OS779V from Amsterdam to Skopje.
Departure: 23th of April at 12.35 flight OS780T / OS375T from Skopje to Amsterdam.
Ineke Veldhuis-Meester, The Netherlands.
Arrival: 19th of April at 22.30 flight OU366M from Edinburgh / Zagreb to Skopje.
Departure: 22nd of April at 15.50 flight JP827E/ JP498E from Skopje to Amsterdam.
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
2. European Association of History Educators
Semi Aktekin, Turkey.
Arrival: 19th of April at 19.45 flight TK 2829/ TK 1005 from Trabzon to Skopje.
Departure: 22th of April at 20:40 flight TK 1006/ TK 2838 from Skopje to Trabzon.
Regional Participants
Albania:
Mrs. Vojsava Kumbulla, vojsavakumbulla@yahoo.ca
Bulgaria:
Mina Marinova, illimina@yahoo.com
Greece:
Katerina Brentanou, abrenta@sch.gr
Turkey:
Semih Aktekin, saktekin@yahoo.com
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
3. European Association of History Educators
Practical information
Hotel in Stip
Hotel Oaza
Marsal Tito bb,
Stip
2000
Info@oazahotel.com.mk
Tel: +389 32 390 899
Fax: +389 32 394 899
From the 19th until the 22th of April 2012
Hotel in Skopje
TCC Plaza
Vasil Glavinov 12
Skopje
1000
Macedonia
info@tccplaza.com
Tel: +389 2 3111 807
Fax: +389 2 3119 490
From the 22-23 of April 2012
Transportation
Arranged by Sofija Glavinova sofija.glavinova@kscnet.com of the Congress Service
Center and Mire Mladenovski.
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
4. European Association of History Educators
Programme
Thursday 19 April
13.00 Arrival of coordinators and some participants.
Friday 20 April
10.30 - 11.30 Welcome and Mission and Aims of EUROCLIO:
- Jonathan Even-Zohar, Senior project manager at EUROCLIO.
Program explanation by:
- Mire Mladenovski, Country coordinator of Macedonia and president of History
Teachers Association of Macedonia
- Besnik Emini Country coordinator of Macedonia and vice-president of History
Teachers Association of Macedonia
11.30 - 12.00 Coffee break
12.00 - 13.30 Where we are in the region?
Presentations by representatives of Teacher Associations of:
Albania, Mrs. Vojsava Kumbulla
Bulgaria, Mina Marinova
Greece, Katerina Brentanou
Turkey, Semih Aktekin
10 minutes about curriculum, textbooks, teacher training. How are these affairs
arranged now and possible changes.
Discussion following
13.30 - 15.00 Lunch
15.30 - 17.00 Mire Mladenovski and Besnik Emini, presentation and discussion,
Current state of history education in Macedonia
17.00 - 17.30 Coffee break
17.30 - 19.00 Workshop:
- Ljupka Hristova and Valentina Stamenkovich, Retelling the History, ‘How can
we use materials in a classroom, a teacher’s guide.’
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
5. European Association of History Educators
20.00 Dinner in Hotel
21.30 Pub Quiz
Saturday 21 April
09.00 - 10.30 Two Parallel Workshops by International experts
- Ineke Veldhuis-Meester , History, a narrative! What is wrong with
that? An active learning discovery tour.
- Semi Aktekin about Great fire of Izmir, Who burned Izmir?
10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 - 12.30 Two Parallel Workshops by International experts
- Ineke Veldhuis-Meester , History, a narrative! What is wrong with
that? An active learning discovery tour.
- Semi Aktekin about Great fire of Izmir, Who burned Izmir?
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 World cafe (3 column)
15.30 - 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 - 17.30 Questionnaire (translation)
17.30 - Free time (visit of town)
20.30 Official dinner in town/ or at the Hotel
Sunday 22 April
09.00 - 10.30 Presentations by:
- UNICEF by Nora Sabani
10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 - 12.30 Concluding session by Jonathan Even-Zohar.
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch and departures
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
6. European Association of History Educators
International Guest
Semih Aktekin
Faith Facukty of Education, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey
Role: Contributor – People on the Move.
Dr. Semih Aktekin was born in 1974 in Turkey. He graduated from the
Faculty of Political Science in Ankara University, Turkey. In 1999 he
received a PGCE degree in History and a MA degree in School
Improvement and Professional Development of Teachers (2000) and a
doctorate degree in Teacher Education (2004) from School of Education,
University of Nottingham, UK. He is an assistant professor in history
education department at Fatih Faculty of Education, Karadeniz Technical University in
Turkey. He has given initial training for undergraduate and postgraduate students in
history education department and social studies education department at Fatih Faculty
of Education since 2004. He has also given in-service training in many state schools for
history and social sciences teachers and adult educators in Turkey. He submitted many
academic papers at national and international conferences on different aspects of
history education. He was coordinator of the Study visit of Dutch History Teachers to
Turkey, which was organized by EUROCLIO in 17 October-24 October 2007. He is
Deputy coordinator and senior consultant of the project titled ‘Training Social Studies
and History Educators for Multicultural Europe’ which was accepted part of Promotion
of the Civil Society Dialogue between European Union and Turkey project (June 2008-
December 2009). Currently he is the Project Coordinator in the EUROCLIO/MATRA
Project A Key to Europe. Innovative Methodology in Turkish School History (2009-
2012).
Contact information: semih.aktekin@gmail.com
Katerina Brentanou
Katerina Brentanou was born in Piraeus in 1962. She has been
working in Greek Secondary Education for 25 years as teacher of
Greek Literature, Language and History. She holds a PhD in History
of Theatre and a Master of Arts in Theatrical Studies, University of
Athens, Greece. She also has been trained on counseling and
vocational guidance in University of Athens – Department of
Pedagogical Studies and she has followed a 3-year-course on
“Drama and acting” in drama school of Keratsini. She has been a teachers trainee for
many years and nowadays she works as a school advisor. She is specialized in the use of
drama techniques as a teaching method. Several books and articles of her have been
published.
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
7. European Association of History Educators
Ineke Veldhuis-Meester
Ineke Veldhuis-Meester was assistent professor at Groningen University,
the Netherlands. She conducted postgraduate teacher courses and served as
history teacher in Dutch and international secondary education. She was a
constructor of national history exams at the National Institute for
Assessment and Measurement, CITO. She served on the National Board of
the Association of Teachers in History and Civics in the Netherlands (VGN
1997-2000). With ‘a gang of four’ she implemented the new exams for history in
secondary education throughout the Netherlands, through workshops and publications
(1991-1999). She participated as an expert in EUROCLIO projects and Council of Europe
programmes on history teaching, curriculum development and innovative methodology.
When she left university she has got a royal decoration by the Mayor of Groningen on
behalf of the Queen as a Lady in the Order of Orange-Nassau 2005. Since 2006 she
works as an independent consultant in History Education.
Contact information: inekeveldhuismeester@gmail.com
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
8. European Association of History Educators
Represented Associations
Albanian History Teachers Association
The Albanian History Teachers Association was established on the 10th of December
1998 in Tirana, Albania. Nowadays, the Association has seventy active members as well
as a well-established network of teachers all over the country. The Board of Association
is represented by experienced history experts that are very active in the field of history
teaching. The Albanian History Teachers Association has been a member of EUROCLIO
for over 10 years and has participated in the Joint Stability Pact Project with the
Bulgarian and Macedonian Project. It also collaborates with the UNESCO, the Institute of
Education Development and the Ministry of Education and Science and other
organisations in Albania.
History Teachers Association of Macedonia
HTAM (History Teachers Association of Macedonia) is created with the main aim to help
in the process of modernization of history teaching in Macedonia. HTAM (History
Teachers Association of Macedonia) is organized on voluntary base and all teachers
from primary and secondary school same us a different profile of historians with an
interest in the field of improving and modernization of history teaching in Macedonia
are free to participate. Until now more than 50 teachers whose involved in different
activities on national and international level. Except the President, Board of HTAM has 4
more members, which are elected for 3 years.
Turkish History Teachers Association
Founded in 2009, the Association of History Educators, teachers, academics, training
scientists, sociologists and scholars of history in Turkey, has been established to ensure
unity and cohesion. The Association represents members that are interested in
education, culture, history and who would like to contribute to the development of love,
respect and cohesion. The Association gives social, cultural, financial and moral support
to members who want to work towards solidarity in Turkey and contributes to the
development of scientific activities in this field, including publications and providing
relations between teachers, academics, teacher trainers and sociologists.
Panhellenic Association of Philologists
P.E.F (Panhellenic Association of Philologists) represents History and Language
Teachers Of Secondary Education. It is a big association counting 3.500 members. It was
founded in 1982 and since then it has a strong presence in the Greek educational and
scientific field. PEF became an associated member of EUROCLIO 4 years ago.
History Teachers Association of Bulgaria
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
9. European Association of History Educators
Supported by
Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
In today’s globalised society, no single development or issue can leave us indifferent, and
international cooperation has become more crucial than ever. The FPS represents
Belgium in several international organisations and in different parts of the world, taking a
proactive approach to policy, especially on vital issues like peace and security, human
rights and promotion of the rule of law, with a view to striving for a fairer and more
prosperous world.
Conflict prevention, peace building and peacekeeping are key components of Belgium’s
policy on peace and security. However, its policy in this area is about much more than
just these elements. Promoting peace and security requires an overall multidimensional
approach in different areas, such as the fight against terrorism, and non-proliferation
and disarmament. With specific regard to non-proliferation and disarmament, Belgium
played an especially active role in the adoption of the Convention on the Prohibition of
Anti-Personnel Mines, and more recently in the signing of the convention banning
cluster munitions.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Western Balkans Unit
The essential task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to work for Norway’s interests
internationally: to safeguard the country’s freedom, security and prosperity. Norway’s
interests are determined by such factors as its geographical location in a strategically
important area, its open economy, its position as a coastal state and steward of
substantial marine resources, and its extensive exports of oil and gas. The best way to
promote Norway’s interests is to cooperate with like-minded countries. This also means
that the Foreign Service must handle conflicts of interest with other countries in a
manner that is to Norway’s advantage, while seeking to avoid disputes. The Ministry
also works to promote peace and security, an international legal system, an
economically just world order and sustainable development. Finding a solution to
issues of this kind is in Norway’s interests too, while at the same time efforts in these
areas are an expression of international solidarity. Since the early 1990s, Norway has
been playing an important role as facilitator in a number of peace and reconciliation
processes. Norway’s experience has shown that small countries can also play a
constructive role in resolving complex armed conflicts, even without the direct
involvement of the UN or the major powers. Norwegian peace efforts are, however,
contingent on all the involved parties showing a genuine will to negotiate and on their
acceptance of Norway as a facilitator. Norway can offer long-term political and
economic involvement, including after a peace agreement has been reached.
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
10. European Association of History Educators
Open Society Foundations
The Open Society Foundations were established in 1984 by the philanthropist George
Soros aiming to help countries in their transition process from communism to
democracy. Today, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant
democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this
mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in
political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level,
the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice,
education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances
across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information.
The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in
marginalized communities.
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is an initiative of the UN Secretary-
General which aims to improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations
and peoples across cultures and religions, and to help counter the forces that fuel
polarization and extremism. The Alliance was established in 2005, at the initiative of the
Governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations. In April
2007, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed Jorge Sampaio, former President
of Portugal, as High Representative for the Alliance. The History that Connects
Programme is adapted to the Alliance’s Regional Strategy for South East Europe and it’s
Action Plan.
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
11. European Association of History Educators
Organizers
Jonathan Even-Zohar
Jonathan Even-Zohar, NL, (MA), project manager at EUROCLIO,
has a degree in History from Leiden University, relating to World-
Historical perspectives in History Education with an honorary
Crayenborgh-degree in Islam and Europe. At EUROCLIO he has
assisted Joke van der Leeuw-Roord in the History Education
Projects in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Former Yugoslavia during
various visits to the countries, including the practical preparation
of international conferences, seminars and workshops; the
processing and dissemination of the results into financial, methodological and practical
reports. He coordinated the funding for and execution of a study visit to Turkey for 20
Dutch History Educators in October 2007. This trip was a great success and increased
the participant’s knowledge of the cross-cultural comparisons with Turkish History
Educators, regarding aspects of publishing, curriculum development, political influence
and general attitude. More recently, in 2008 he managed the project “Connecting
Europe through History – Human Rights Education”, funded by the European Union and
the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs amongst others.
Contact information: jonathan@euroclio.eu
Mirjam Zeilmaker
Mirjam Zeilmaker born in 1989 has finished her Bachelor history at
the University of Leiden. During her bachelor she also followed
courses in law, political science and world religion and participated
in the Honors Class of 2008 about ‘The Rise of the West’. In her third
year she spent a semester in Edinburgh to do research for her
bachelor thesis. She was also head of several commissions during
her student life and was in the association board of the rowing club,
thereby gaining important management skills. Before beginning on
her Master thesis she wanted some working experience and a study
related internship. EUROCLIO’s aims to improve historical
education seemed perfect because she also wants to do an Educational Master. With this
internship she hopes to get practical knowledge about working in an NGO and a better
insight in the historical education abroad. This will improve her understanding of the
historical education in the Netherlands.
Contact information: mirjam@euroclio.eu
Mire Mladenovski
Mire Mladenovski was born in 1967 in Macedonia. He graduated from the History
Department of the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje in 1991. Since 1992 he has been
working in a primary school. He participated in a number of international conferences
and projects. He is a co-author and an editor of supplementary teaching material for
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
12. European Association of History Educators
secondary schools “Understanding the past, learning for the future”
and an author of the CD with the same title. He is also an author and
editor of many other teaching materials. He is an expert for using the
Information- communication technology in teaching, and is an
accredited trainer for modern history teaching. He is currently
involved as an editor in a web application initiative of EUROCLIO -
HISTORIANA (online, interactive multimedia tool for historians).
Besides, he is one of the founders and currently President of the HTAM
(History Teachers Association of Macedonia).
Contact information: mire.mladenovski@gmail.com
Besnik Emini
Besnik Emini was born in 1977 in Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia. He
has been graduated in history at University of Skopje in 2002. He has
finished master studies at the same university in 2009. He is specialist
for history of Balkan nations during the 18th and beginning of 19th
century, national awakening and creation of national states in the
Balkan. His is preparing his PhD dissertation. Right now he is
researcher at the Institute for Cultural and Spiritual Heritage of
Albanians in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. He is expert in history
and history education, textbook author, giving workshops/lecturers,
teacher trainer. From 2001 till 2008 he has worked as history teacher.
In 2008 he was appointed as a president of State exam history commission for the
elementary school history teachers. He is active member and one of founders of History
Teachers´ Association of Macedonia (Member of Euro Clio). He has participated in
workshops and seminars, conferences and other activities in Macedonia and other
countries. He is also one of the authors of recent history project in Macedonia „Retelling
History“(2007). Hi is promoting the idea that history should be treated without borders,
and also textbooks should contain more lessons about modern-current history, and that
school-education systems must pay more attention on human subjects in the age of
technology to stop dehumanization of human beings. His passions are languages,
museums and bookshops. He has participated in several local and international
seminars and workshops.
Contact information: ebesnik@yahoo.com
EUROCLIO Coordinator
Jonathan Even-Zohar jonathan@euroclio.eu Mobile: +31 6 54712803
Mirjam Zeilmaker mirjam@euroclio.eu Mobile: +31 6 17487391
The EUROCLIO Project ‘History that Connects-Republic of Macedonia’ is financially supported by the Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. ‘How to teach sensitive and controversial history in the countries of Former Yugoslavia’ is financially
supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open Society Foundation - Education Support Programme
(Budapest) and endorsed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.