After completing the first phase from the project “Tolerance, dialogue, cooperation! Promoting inter-religious dialogue through capacity building for media and religious representatives”, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis”, continued with the realization of the second phase of the project.
On 27 April 2011, there was an advisory meeting with the Heads of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid – Archbishop G.G. Stefan, the Islamic Religious Community – Grand Mufti Sulejman Redzepi, the Catholic Church – Bishop Kiro Stojanov, Preacher Mr. Mihail Cekov and the Jewish Community – General Secretary Mrs. Jana Nikota. Markus Marchalek, Austrian expert for media and religious issues, was also engaged in this meeting. The aim of this consultation was learning to promote inter-religious tolearnce and cooperation by the religious communities in Macedonia, through the use of public relations.
The heads of the religious communities saluted this advisory meeting and pointed out that they support the next seminars for professional media communication and public relations for the religious representatives, to be realized until the month of May. The heads of the religious communities pointed out the need for independent and objective journalism, which will grasp the essence of the religious rituals and customs, in their informing. Markus Marschalek, expert for media and religious issues, in his lecture reflected on the changeable role of religion and religious communities in the modern society. Marschalek advised the Heads to intensify the cooperation with the media and adjust their public appearances to the media needs.
