It is with distinct pleasure and privilege that the United Macedonian Diaspora announce it will honour The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, with UMD’s highest honour – the Goce Delchev Award – at the 2nd Annual UMD Global Conference Gala on June 5, 2010 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

The Canadian-Macedonian community is extremely grateful for Prime Minister Harper’s bold and honourable leadership in international affairs.  The high values and integrity of his policies are evident in Canada’s recognition of Macedonia’s constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia on September 19, 2007, and have solidified the relationship between Canada and Macedonia. 

The first Macedonians immigrated to Canada over 100 years ago.  They enriched Canada’s cultural mosaic with their hard work and their cultural legacy.  Prime Minister Harper’s recognition of this history has earned our notice and commanded our respect.  It is our community’s solemn wish to honour his accomplishments on June 5, 2010 as a token of our esteem and appreciation for his great contributions.   

The Goce Delchev Award is UMD’s highest honor and the recipient of this award is selected based on the impact that they have had on Macedonians around the world, their record of public service, and their advancement of justice, peace, democracy, personal freedom and economic opportunity.  The Goce Delchev Award is named after the famous 19th century Macedonian leader Goce Delchev who fought for Macedonian independence from the Ottoman Empire.  Goce Delchev held views that are epitomized by his well-known quote, "I understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among the peoples.” 

The UMD Board of Directors unanimously nominated Prime Minister Harper as the first recipient of this award for his impact on Macedonia and Macedonians globally.

For more information, contact Goran Saveski at 1-800-863-9583

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September 19, 2007 - Historic Occasion for Canadian-Macedonians and Macedonians Globally!
 
To read more about Canada's recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name, click HERE.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Biography
(as supplied by the Office of the Prime Minister)

Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister on February 6, 2006.

Mr. Harper was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1993 federal election as the Reform Party’s candidate in Calgary West.  He left Parliament in 1997 to become Vice President (and later President) of the National Citizens Coalition, a prominent Canadian advocacy organization.  In 2002, he became Leader of the Opposition after winning the leadership of the Canadian Alliance and a subsequent by-election in Calgary Southwest.

In 2003, Mr. Harper co-founded the Conservative Party of Canada and went on to win the new party’s leadership.

As Conservative leader in the 2004 federal election, Mr. Harper increased the Conservatives’ standing in the House of Commons by 25 seats, including an important breakthrough in Ontario.

In the 2006 federal election, and for the first time in 13 years, the Conservatives were given a mandate to form government by the Canadian electorate.  Under Stephen Harper’s leadership the Conservative Party made important inroads and breakthroughs across the country.

Canadians once again confirmed their trust in the Harper government when they went to the polls in 2008.  They voted to return the Conservatives with a strengthened mandate, confident in the government’s ability to lead Canada through unstable economic times.

As Prime Minister, Mr. Harper is committed to building a Canada that remains strong, united, independent and free.  He is committed to enacting accountability measures for government, lowering taxes for working families, helping parents cope with the costs of child care, reforming the criminal justice system and rebuilding the Canadian Forces.

Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario.  He moved to Alberta in 1978 to work in the petroleum industry and went on to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Calgary.  Mr. Harper and his wife Laureen have two children, Benjamin and Rachel, and maintain a permanent home in Calgary.