Social Media Outreach: 33 virtual events, gatherings, and videos 443,000 total views 36.4% increase in video engagements from 2020 Charitable Efforts: $13,000 worth of medical equipment was donated to the University Clinic of Neurology at Clinical Center Mother Teresa, Skopje. $6,000 worth of firefighting equipment, including shoes and masks, to the voluntary fire brigade Arhangel Bitola. $5,000 to the Sveti Spas…
For 17 years, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) has been working to reduce the inequalities facing Macedonian-identifying peoples around the world. Considering this year’s United Nations Human Rights Day theme on Equality, we, at the UMD are tripling our advocacy efforts to bring awareness about Macedonian challenges. This fall, UMD Australia provided a grant to fund Macedonian language classes in…
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) issues the following statement regarding the resignation of Zoran Zaev as Prime Minister of Macedonia following his political party’s significant losses in the recent Macedonian local elections: UMD strongly opposed the so-called Good Neighborly Relations Agreement with Bulgaria, the Prespa Agreement with Greece, and the language law in Macedonia. UMD publicly stressed the detrimental implications…
Today, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) – founded on October 28, 2004 – celebrates its 17th anniversary. Until UMD was founded, there was no permanent, professional, and persistent voice for Macedonians located in Washington, D.C. In May 2008, UMD became the first Macedonian organization to open an office in Washington, D.C. As a non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental organization, UMD has led…
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) – the leading voice for Macedonians abroad – celebrates the 30th anniversary of Macedonia’s Independence Day and congratulates all Macedonians in and outside the Republic on this auspicious occasion. UMD reflects on the centuries-old struggle for Macedonian independence and the countless lives lost to ensure that this dream and vision of a free and sovereign…
The Hon David Coleman, the Federal Member for Banks, New South Wales, invited several representatives from the Macedonian community to participate in a video conference on 28 July 2021 with Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Federal Senator for New South Wales, the Hon Marise Payne. The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) Australia was represented by our Director, Ms Vera Sekulovska.…
Australian Census – Tuesday, 10 August 2021 The Census will contain multiple questions on cultural background. This is an invaluable opportunity to have our voices heard and our Macedonian heritage counted. UMD Australia considers that it is vitally important to have our say in the current climate, particularly when our Macedonian identity continues to be questioned and erased. The information…
The United Macedonian Diaspora Australia (UMD Australia) is compelled to express our profound concern at the demands contained in the Australian Hellenic Council’s (AHC) public letter to the Prime Minister of Australia, which are aimed at curbing the fundamental rights of our Macedonian Australian community to identity, language, culture, and freedom of expression in Australia. The AHC letter openly denigrates…
United Macedonia Diaspora Australia (UMD Australia) is pleased to announce its partnership with Peos Estate winery, a Macedonian family-owned business with a history of over 90 years in Manjimup, Western Australia. The Peos Estate winery was founded by brothers Vic, John, Kon, and Chris. They were inspired by the great passion of their late grandfather P.Y Peos, and their father…
The Australian Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade References Committee has issued its Report of February 2021 in response to written submissions made to its inquiry on issues facing diaspora communities. The United Macedonian Diaspora Australia (UMD) lodged a submission on behalf of the Macedonian community in July 2020. UMD Australia Director, Vera Sekulovska, was invited to give evidence to…
In the past, Australia Day may have been seen as a time for celebration and unity. But how can we come together when this day is one of mourning for First Nations peoples? The Macedonian diaspora community in Australia knows the devastating impact of having sacred land invaded and cultural identity denied. UMD Australia acknowledges that January 26 is a…
The United Macedonian Diaspora has welcomed increased news coverage of the name change debacle. Broader coverage has been achieved of the plight of ethnic Macedonians in Greece and Bulgaria whose governments deny their existence. A column by UMD’s Alastair Stewart was published in The Times. It draws on parallels between a maybe independent Scotland and Macedonia’s tragic experience on the…