CDN Youth Exchange 2008

“Youth perspectives on rural development – Organic agriculture vs. GMOs”

Macedonia, Ohrid, June 2008

Article by Vesna Jusup

Under the name “Youth perspective in rural development –Organic agriculture vs. GMO”, CDNEE and FYEG organized youth exchange in Ohrid, Macedonia. It was held from 6^th to 13^th Jun and gathered young people from Bosnia, Germany, Macedonia, Serbia, and Germany. We talked, discussed, exchange experience concerning situation of rural youth in each country, their capacities, potentials and opportunities. Also we were dealing with ways of agricultural production, founding greenish way in Organic, but discussion also genetically modifications and conventional.

Ohrid exchange was opportunity for many young people, to meet people from different countries, cultural, educational and organizational background. We had worked (really hard sometimes :) ) on topics such as agricultural production, where we met with different ways of doing it, good or bad manners of each, and practical examples how to get from conventional on organic production. GMO’s were very big topic also, since we had lack of knowledge on it. (Some of us get ideas for future carriers…maybe trying themselves in farming). On the other hand, we discussed position of rural youth in each country, problems they are dealing with, but also opportunities and positional they have.

We also had lectures to help us in our investigations of theses issues. Svetlana Kartovalieva, president of Macedonian Gen-bank gives us overview (we can be free and say deep look into…) on Macedonian organic agriculture and steps in process of implementing this way of production in country. Mr. Henning Strodthoff, other lecturer is adviser on agricultural issues in European Parliament, and give us short look on polices and legislation process. But since being involved in some campaigns on based on these topics, Mr. Henning gave us extra lecture on campaigning and making actions. During the exchange we made some drafts about what should be done, and on the last day we had Open Space, developing new projects.

Since one of main aim was also meeting new cultures, and we were hosted by Macedonia, country of very rich historical and cultural heritage, we had few excursions. Visited complex of Snt.Naum, with beautiful springs and Old town of Ohrid. To prove our hard work, we should mention that we worked also in the night, especially dedicated to accomplished last aim, and meet other cultures, by knowing their food, music, dances, drinks, customs (we appointed one, really interesting custom in Serbia of celebrating birthday in form of festival lasting 3-4 days, on which we had practical demonstration.)