WYF USA 2026 : North Macedonia at the World Youth Forum – USA 2026. Speech of Consul Dana Klein, Honorary Consul of the Republic of North Macedonia in Miami.
Greetings members of the Diplomatic Corps, Elected Officials, Mayor Wayne Messam & Commissioners of the City of Miramar and President Mr. Gabriel Mvogo Saint, Esteemed Guests, and all team representatives.
It is a pleasure and an honor to greet you today representing North Macedonia and we believe this is the beginning of a long-term relationship. I also work with a company called Gheorg, a mental health app for youth that teaches children how to identify, articulate, and cope with triggers, so this is all of particular interest to me.
For those who don’t know, North Macedonia is located above Greece, and landlocked between Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria. Located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, North Macedonia bridges diverse landscapes- mountains, lakes, and fertile plains- that have shaped unique rural traditions. This geography fosters a strong connection to ancestral sports and folk festivities that are deeply embedded in community life and cultural celebrations across the nation.
International youth citizen-to-citizen diplomacy in North Macedonia is largely driven by regional cooperation, EU integration efforts, and parliamentary initiatives, focusing on strengthening democratic resilience, reconciliation, and civic engagement. Key programs include the Regional Youth Cooperation Office Superschools exchange and Young Cities program in Skopje. These efforts empower youth in policymaking and peacebuilding, despite high rates of reported political exclusion among young people. Key Initiatives and Programs include regional cooperation, parliamentary and political participation, local engagement, youth alliances, and the U.S. Embassy youth council. Key trends include institutionalizing youth voices, addressing exclusion, and focuses on EU integration.
As for sports, North Macedonia’s traditions date back to ancient pastoral and agrarian societies. Ritual games during the Holiday season and rural festivals preserved ancient beliefs and social structures. Today, the nation’s work provides a framework to formalize these practices, cultivate intergenerational knowledge, and continue its cultural legacy internationally.
In 2018 as part of UNESCO led meeting, the ministry of cultural affairs endorsed the charter of the International Council of Traditional Sports Games. (And I quote this from their website) The council regards sports diplomacy as one of the most impactful instruments for advancing peace, inter cultural understanding and meaningful engagement. Where policies may defer and borders may divide, the universal language of sport especially traditional and indigenous can inspire trust, respect, and meaningful engagement.
Throughout history, traditional games have carried with them the values of inclusion, respect, teamwork, and joy. In modern geopolitics, they offer a unique and non-political tool to
Foster dialogue between diverse communities
Bridge generational and cultural gaps
Support reconciliation and healing in post-conflict regions
Enhance people-to-people diplomacy beyond official state channels
Connect national identity with global citizenship
Each traditional game is a cultural bridge woven from shared heritage and mutual aspiration.
By signing the 2018 founding document, North Macedonia reaffirmed its dedication to cultural heritage through sport. The nation joined global leaders in preserving and promoting indigenous sports, positioning itself as a key member of the International Council of Traditional Sports Games and supporting programs that encourage youth engagement, academic research, and cultural diplomacy.
Further, North Macedonia’s commitment aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 4- Quality Education: Integrating traditional games into school and community programs.
Goal 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities: Strengthening local identity through heritage events
Goal 16- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promoting social cohesion through cultural traditions.
Preserving North Macedonia’s traditional sports secures cultural identity, unity, and heritage for future generations.
Youth sports programs in North Macedonia focus on fostering community, inclusion, and skill development through special initiatives such as
- Plazma Youth Sports Games (2026): a regional initiative, allowing young athletes to compete in various sports.
- Special Olympics: Provides year-round training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, fostering physical fitness and social inclusion.
- The Association for Sport & Volunteering (ASV): Based in Skopje, the main city focuses on youth engagement, inclusion, and civic responsibility through sports volunteering.
- Sports and Youth Development in Gostivar: is an initiative strengthening youth resilience and promoting social cohesion in culturally diverse areas through training for PE teachers and coaches.
- TAKT “Sport for Development”: Programs operate in schools and with municipalities focusing on leadership, teamwork, and social cohesion.
- Sport Social Solutions: Empowers young women, notably through rugby and training coaches in non-violent communication.
- EU Social Action Youth and Sports Hubs (SAYSHs): provide space for tournaments and life-skills workshops.
- European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) : features 15 sports disciplines for athletes aged 14–18, offering major volunteering opportunities for local youth.
So like the World Youth Forum, Macedonian youth sports programs are set up with the understanding that youth sports are much more than physical outlets for physical and mental wellbeing. They are connections to cultural identity, growth and development, economic prosperity, and diplomacy. Youth sports are avenues for understanding, cultural exchanges, intergenerational programs with respect for traditions, legacy, etiquette, teamwork, respect, and vision for the future.
I especially appreciate the World Youth Forum’s connection to technology as well as technology actually mimics sports with gamified programming and sportsmanship offering a multitude of benefits. Players come from all over the world and engage in games that bring them to higher levels and although they can’t speak the same language, may not agree on anything, they can play together on the same field, following the same rules, and learning from each other’s strategies and teamwork.
The country of North Macedonia applauds and appreciates the World Youth Forum and the teams for their participation in such a worthwhile program this week with benefits to come for tradition, unity, and culture. To spin a quote from Shakespeare “All the world’s a field, and all the men and women merely players”
So let the games begin and let the future start now.
Consul Dana Klein, Honorary Consul of the Republic of North Macedonia in Miami – Youth Institute, USA
