Cover Story
Cover Story
Summer 2018 / Issue 58 widening quality gap on an international level , leaving the country close to the bottom .
In 2014 , 25.7 % of young people aged from 15 to 19 reported that they wanted to leave the country . I recently read statistics that the number of students enrolled in secondary education has dropped by 17.5 % in 4 years ( 2013 – 2017 ). Brain drain is one of the biggest challenges we face , but so far no strategy has been implemented to prevent or slow down the process . The latest reports from the State Statistical Office show troubling data – every fifth newborn of Macedonian citizens is born in a foreign country .
This is very much connected with the perceptions of youth and the negative expectations for the future . Most of them believe that the education system is not preparing
them for the labor market . This has been a hot topic in the business sector for several years – some efforts have been made , but on a small scale and with little impact . So , it ’ s not surprising that 43.9 % of the surveyed young people believe that ‘ connections ’ ( nepotism ) is the most important factor for employment , ‘ political affiliation ’ comes second , and ‘ education ’ is only third according to the youth study by Friedrich Ebert Foundation .
Obviously , there is an urgent need for smart and impactful solutions that will offer opportunities for young people to develop transferable skills and entrepreneurial thinking . Adolescents should be the driving force for change and the rise of entrepreneurship – but we need to act strategically in order to provide opportunities for them to flourish .
The Adolescent Brain
UNICEF Representative to Macedonia , Benjamin Perks , has spoken on several occasions on the importance of the adolescent brain development . Neuroscience and psychology show that this is an important period , characterized by a period of emotional spark , social engagement , novelty seeking , and creative exploration . We now know that the brain undergoes substantial developments in early adolescence , which affect emotional skills as well as physical and mental abilities through the whole life . Evidence shows that when adolescent girls and boys are supported and encouraged by caring adults , and have access to policies and services attentive to their needs and capabilities , they have the potential to break long-standing cycles of poverty , discrimination , and violence . When given the opportunity to work in a team persistently through a challenge , they channel that energy and develop social and emotional character like optimism , growth mindset , integrity , and public service ethos .
Adolescents should be aware that their brain is changing . But , most importantly , they need to know and understand their own capacity to influence these changes . After the first 6 years of our lives , the skills we develop during adolescence will be richer and more lasting than anything we learn at any other time .
Young people shouldn ’ t struggle to find the right platforms to channel their ideas , energy , and capacity for innovation and put them to use for the benefit of the business sector or society as a whole . We need methodological approach that will not only include as many young people as possible , but that will also be consistent and include all major stakeholders , including the business sector .
10 AmCham Macedonia Magazine