The synergy between education and business is one of the key factors in reducing youth migration.
The Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Saња Bozhinovska, attended a conference in Skopje today titled "From Slovenia to North Macedonia: Synergy of Education and Business in North Macedonia," organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, the Society of Slovenian and Macedonian Entrepreneurs, and the Macedonian Student Organization in Slovenia (MSOS).
In her speech, Minister Bozhinovska emphasized that all countries in the region, including ours, face a huge challenge – youth migration.
As a nation, we are proud of the talent and potential of our youth, but we are also deeply concerned about the growing trend of emigration. Too many of our brightest minds are deciding to seek their future outside the country, and this must be addressed, Minister Bozhinovska highlighted in her speech.
"The data is alarming. I don’t want to talk about numbers because our future doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders are not just numbers, they are people leaving. The reasons for their departure are clear: dissatisfaction with salaries, limited opportunities, and lack of trust in institutions. This is not the Macedonia we want, nor the one we are committed to building," said Bozhinovska at the conference in Skopje.
She further emphasized that everyone must ask themselves how we can create an environment where young people not only want to stay but feel inspired to return, and how we can ensure that Macedonia offers the same or even better opportunities than those found abroad. This, she said, is a challenge that cannot be solved individually, but requires collective action.
"I say this from personal experience. Like many young Macedonians, I left the country to study and work abroad. The opportunities for development and progress were numerous, but something always pulled me back – the desire to contribute to the future of the country I love. My return was not just a personal decision, but a commitment to the belief that change is possible. And I know that many of our young people who have left feel the same. But for them to return, we must create conditions that make returning not just an opportunity but a real chance," emphasized Minister Bozhinovska.
She highlighted that conferences like today's are crucial to raise awareness that the synergy between education and business is key.
"Our educational institutions must be aligned with the needs of the market, and businesses must be prepared to offer opportunities for meaningful and successful careers. It’s not enough just to offer jobs; we need to provide pathways for our youth to innovate, develop, and lead. Only through collaboration can we create a future in which young people see Macedonia as a place where they can fully realize their potential," said Minister Bozhinovska.
We have the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to change this trend together and create an environment that attracts and retains talent. The voice of our youth is clear – they want stability, opportunities, and a chance to build a life that reflects their ambitions. We must listen to them and we must act. I am confident that many more young people will return if we offer them real reasons. Macedonia's potential is enormous, and our youth is our most valuable resource. Let's not lose them, she concluded her speech.
At the end of her address, the Minister of Energy emphasized that the future of our country is not in the hands of any one sector but in the joint efforts to make Macedonia a place where young people see their future, where they not only want to stay but also return and contribute to building the society we all envision.
