At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia, Ghana’s Ambassador to Serbia and concurrently accredited to the Republic of Macedonia participated in this year’s “Park of Tolerance” project which took place in Skopje, Macedonia from 20-21 March, 2007.
The event which was annual in character, sought to bring together diplomatic and consular representatives, as well as representatives of Citizens’ Associations working in various fields with the view to promoting and strengthening global understanding regarding the advancement of the rights and dignity of humanity. Thus the principal goals of the project remain; “dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect”.
Each year, newly appointed Heads of Missions accredited to the Republic of Macedonia gather at the “Park of Tolerance” to plant a tree each specific and characteristic of their respective countries they represent.
His Excellency availed himself of this opportunity to plant a conifer which was symbolically decorated with the inscription: “specie – Thuja Plicata”.
The next day, March 21, was devoted to the auction of items collected as donations (paintings, drawings of children, sports accessories, gifts, books, and hand-made items), the generated revenue of which was intended for charity and fighting poverty and disease among children.
There was also a Special Olympics sports which was contested by the Special Olympics Team and three (3) teams of Citizens’ Associations.
The most exciting programme of the day was a walk through the Park by His Excellency the President of Macedonia in the company of the diplomatic and consular representatives, to take a look at the various trees planted the day earlier. A symbolic ceremony of watering the trees and plants was then carried out by H.E. President Crvenkovski, after which he addressed the country representatives gathered at the Park.
His Excellency Mr. Branko Crvenkovski re-emphasized the aim of the project as “….. securing a wide social base for fight against the discrimination, diminishing differences, and promotion of equal opportunities for all……”. He admonished the international community to focus its attention on children in order to offer them a healthy life, quality education and the needed protection from indiscriminate abuse. By so doing, he observed, the world would have succeeded in overcoming the greatest challenges of humankind: poverty, consequences from the wars and terrorism, and their attendant risks and diseases they bring along to children.
Considering the huge patronage that the project received and continues to receive each passing year, there was no doubt that it would make the intended impact, come the next few years. It behoves all well-minded peoples and organizations to follow suit, as well as support this laudable project for the benefit of humankind.
