A senior delegation from Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE) led by President and Managing Director Sven Albrecht visited North Macedonia from 4-6 May and met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to advance efforts to expand Unified Sports and inclusive education across the country.
The visit to Skopje brought together government leaders, international institutions, civil society, and athletes, and explored North Macedonia’s potential role in the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion. The Coalition is a multilateral platform that works with governments, the private sector, and global philanthropy to expand the reach and impact of inclusive education through sport worldwide.
The programme included a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, alongside engagements with Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, ministries responsible for education, social policy, and youth, as well as United Nations agencies including UNICEF and UNFPA, and the European Union delegation. The visit also featured cultural events and inclusive sports activities.
Sven Albrecht said: “North Macedonia has shown strong leadership in advancing inclusive education and sport, and this visit is about deepening that commitment across all levels of society. When governments, educators, international partners, and athletes work together, inclusion moves from vision to reality. Unified Schools are one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure that every young person learns, plays, and grows together.”
Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, highlighted the country’s commitment to strengthening inclusive policies: "At the Government, together with the Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, we held a meeting with representatives and athletes from Special Olympics North Macedonia, as well as with the team from Special Olympics Europe Eurasia."
"The focus of the conversation was on the initiative to introduce Unified Sports activities in schools, where pupils with and without disabilities will have the opportunity to play sports together. This is a concept that not only promotes sport but also builds values such as respect, equality and unity."
"As a Government, we give our full support to this initiative and believe it will bring about truly positive changes in society. Our commitment is to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to develop, be accepted, and participate actively."
Monika Boskoska, President of Special Olympics North Macedonia, added: “Inclusion must be recognized and treated as a strategic priority, just as it is across many European countries. It should not remain a declarative commitment, but be translated into real and concrete policies, and systemic solutions with sustained institutional support. We have the knowledge, the partnerships, and proven examples that inclusive approaches work. What is needed now is courage and coordinated action to ensure equal opportunities for all.”
The SOEE and SO North Macedonia delegations, which included swimmer Mario Mickovski, also held working meetings with the Ministry of Education and Science on the implementation of Unified Schools within the national education system, and with the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth to align efforts with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Further discussions with the EU Delegation focused on aligning national inclusive frameworks with European standards.
Meetings with the Macedonian Olympic Committee, and Lions Macedonia further focused on strengthening partnerships and defining next steps for expanding Unified Sports and athlete leadership initiatives.
The visit underscored Special Olympics’ long-term commitment to building inclusive societies through sport, education, and institutional cooperation, and reinforces North Macedonia’s role as a key partner in the global inclusion movement.
