9:00 -10:00   Opening Reception

10:00 -10:30  Opening Welcome Remarks

• President of MAAA, Zorica Trajkova Strezovska (JFDP 2009)

• Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy Skopje, Nicole Varnes

• President of the Assembly of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi (NATO Policy Makers Tour Program 2019)

 

10:30 -11:45    Building Stronger Partnerships for a Secure and Thriving Future 

 

Keynote Speaker:

Anita Angelovska Bežoska (Governor of the National Bank of North Macedonia)

 

Panel Discussion: Regional Safety – Security and Economic Growth​

The panel will bring together policymakers, security and economic experts to explore the vital connection between regional security and economic growth. Key topics will include the role of international organizations in fostering stability, addressing emerging threats, and promoting sustainable economic development through regional cooperation.

Moderator: 

Marko Troshanovski (President of the Institute for Democracy, Fulbright Visiting Scholar 2008)

Speakers:
Malinka Ristevska Jordanova (Member of the Security Council of North Macedonia)

Mentor Vrajolli Executive Director of Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS)

Viktorija Trajkov (Deputy Minister for European Affairs North Macedonia)

Fatmir Besimi (Former Minister of Finance of North Macedonia)

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11:45 –12:30    Coffee and Tea Break

12:30 -14:00   Foreign Policy in Focus: Building Resilient Regional Relations

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Keynote Address (video) by Amer Kapetanović - Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council - RCC (US Department of State Diplomatic Academy)

 

Roundtable Networking

Participants will divide into small groups comprising a representative from each of the seven participating countries, to ensure diverse perspectives in the analysis of case studies focused on regional cooperation, security agreements, and trade alliances.

Team 1: Security Alliances – Analyzing existing regional security agreements and proposing improvements (Facilitator: Berat Dehari, IVLP 2019)

Team 2: Common Regional Market – Exploring case studies of successful regional trade agreements (Facilitator: Blagica Petreski, Fulbright Scholar 2023)

Team 3: Diplomatic Cooperation – How diplomatic alliances have influenced regional stability and growth (Facilitator: Sara Milenkovska, IVLP 2023)

Team 4: Youth and Innovation in Alliances – The role of youth leadership and innovation in shaping alliances (Facilitator: Nina Nikolić, YTILI 2018)

Team 5: Technology in Alliances – Exploring the role of technology in regional agreements (Facilitator: Martina Dimoska, Global UGRAD 2017)

Team 6: Cross-Border Infrastructure Projects – How joint infrastructure projects strengthen regional alliances (Facilitator: Bekim Rexhepi, IVLP 2017)

Team 7: Cultural Diplomacy and Cooperation – The role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening regional partnerships (Facilitator: Ana Alibegova, CSP 2017)

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Session Summary and Conclusions

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14:00-15:00   Networking and Lunch

15:15-16:00    Info session: From Idea to Impact Crafting and Presenting Successful Projects 

 

Speaker: Augusta Philbin and Nadica Zhakula, Public Affairs Office, US Embassy, Skopje

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This session will provide an overview of the alumni grants each country team will receive, including:

- Grant value and funding timeline

- Project themes and focus areas

- Application process and key rules

The goal is to help each country develop impactful community projects focused on strengthening alumni engagement. Participants will be guided through the grant process and offered tips on how to craft a compelling pitch highlighting the project's value and key challenges addressed. A Q&A session will follow, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions about the alumni grants process and, presentation tips for expert panel review.

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16:00-17:00   Building Alliances: Strengthening Alumni Associations through Networking       

                        and Collaboration

 

Roundtable Networking: This breakout session is an innovation lab for creating new cross-border collaborations. Mixed-country roundtables will exchange ideas, identify shared interests, and co-develop proposals for future joint initiatives. As part of the process, participants will map existing collaborations to spot strategic gaps and better understand regional opportunities. Using collaboration templates, each group will then present their project ideas, followed by feedback and open discussion. The session aims to build new alliances and spark actionable ideas for future partnerships.

 

17:30-19:30    Leadership Networking Reception 

Co-organized with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT).​

Venue: Parliament’s Club of Members

Music by Trio Aperto