Leon Ali is a high school student studying to be a medical technician in the “Shaip Yusuf“ High school in Skopje. Leon, like the rest of the scholarship holders from Support Fund for Talented Students “Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow” has fulfilled his summer period with countless activities, which he shared with us.
In June, Leon took part in a training on the topic “Discrimination and Genocide on the Romans in the Second World War” organized by the Roman Cultural and Media Center “BARICANIPE”, financially supported from the EVZ Foundation in Germany. “The training is a part from the project titled “Bring! The voice of the Past, the Present and the Future”, where we – the participants had the opportunity to get to know crucial dates and events associated with the genocide upon the Roman nationals during the 2nd World War, the reasons for the genocide and atrocities made upon the Romans. As a person from a Roman descent, I am eager to learn about my unfortunately, not so cheerful history. For that reason, I, as a young Roman, will try to minimize the discrimination and stereotypes associated with my people and make them forgotten.” – says Leon. Presenting the genocide through mobile journalism was a part of the training, for which the students prepared video contents in which they talked about themes associated with the genocide and shared their own messages with the aim to stop it from ever reoccurring.
On June 24th, Leon took part in a panel discussion titled “Youth and the Mental Health”, taking place in the Cabinet of the President which was initiated by the First Lady Mrs. Elizabeta Gjorgjievska. The purpose of the panel discussion was putting the mental health of young people into perspective. The Macedonian National Youth Union, the Union of High School Students and the Association of Students in Medicine, including our Leon were among the attendees of the discussion.
In the course of August, Leon took part in the SMARTY training, organized by The International Organization “IOM”. The training was organized in two sessions in the duration of 3 days. He gained new skills in mediation, active listening, teamwork, independently solving on everyday challenges, and settling problems one faces through establishing effective interactions with others.
Besides the personal development training, Leon participated in a seminar on the topic “Media Literacy and Critical Thinking” as a student with national awards and achievements which is organized by the high school he goes to – “Shaip Yusuf”. With this type of activities, the school selflessly invests in the knowledge and skills of its own staff, contributes to their professional development and improvement, as well as motivating and stimulating students to achieve better results and achievements.
The new academic year started in September, in which Leon was elected School President. “I am confident that I will reach all imaginable goals in my new role!” – Leon says enthusiastically.
Besides taking on a new role in his school, Leon has started drawing a new mural in the schoolyard, which is still not finished. We are impatiently waiting for Leon to send us pictures ones the mural is finished!
