At the campus of the South East European University in Skopje, the founding assembly was held where the Association of Economics Teachers of North Macedonia was officially created. During this meeting, the founding members signed the founding document and approved the statute, giving life to a new professional organization with the mission of strengthening economic education and knowledge throughout the country.
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The creation of this association is the fruit of a four-year collaboration between economics educators from across North Macedonia and the Liberal Alternative Institute. Through projects such as the Economics Olympiad, teacher trainings, and EconLit Caravans, educators had repeatedly expressed the necessity of an organization that would unite them, foster collaboration and professional development, providing a stable foundation for advancing economic education. Addressing this shared vision, LAI supported its establishment as part of its long-term strategy for strengthening the economic education ecosystem in the country.
Orhan Ceka, Executive Director of the Liberal Alternative Institute, emphasized that over the last four years, the message about the need for an association that provides a platform for cooperation, development, and collective action had been repeated by teachers. He expressed pride that this vision is materializing and added that the Association will be key to strengthening economic knowledge, supporting teachers, and creating new opportunities for students across North Macedonia. Ceka confirmed that LAI remains a committed long-term partner for achieving these objectives.
The Liberal Alternative Institute will continue to support the Association and organize activities within its scope together. Key initiatives, such as the Economics Olympiad, EconLit Caravans, and training programs, will be co-managed, increasing teacher ownership and ensuring the sustainability and growth of these programs. This national platform will serve economics educators to represent their interests and promote quality, innovation, and continuous professional development.
During the assembly, the governing bodies were also elected. Abil Idrizi from the “Gostivar” secondary school was appointed as the first chairman, while the vice-chair positions were taken by Vesna Efremova from the “Ljupço Santov” secondary school in Koçani and Avni Arifi from the South East European University. The Executive Board includes Biljana Stamatovska, Arta Lleshi, Xhemal Ibraimi, Dashurije Mehmedi, Marina Perunovska, and Snezhana Kiçukova from educational institutions in Kërçovë, Dibër, Kumanovë, Gostivar, Skopje, and Gjevgjeli.
The newly elected chairman, Abil Idrizi, expressed his honor at the trust delegated and stressed that the Association belongs to all economics teachers. He promised to build a vibrant professional community that promotes excellence in teaching, fosters collaboration, and helps prepare young people with the knowledge and skills to understand and influence the future economy.
Meanwhile, the Supervisory Board includes professors from several well-known universities in the country: Viktorija Atanasovska Novevski from the American College in Skopje, Ali Maksuti from the University of Tetova, Liza Alili Sulejmani from the International Balkan University, Emilija Miteva from Goce Delcev University in Shtip, and Shenaj Haxhimustafa from SEEU. This link between representatives of secondary and higher education in the supervisory body is expected to create a strong institutional bridge, facilitating the exchange of expertise and encouraging joint initiatives to advance economic education at the national level.
Vice-chair Vesna Efremova emphasized that economic education is an essential life skill that empowers young people to make informed decisions, think critically, and engage actively in society. According to her, the establishment of this association is an investment in the teaching profession and in the future of students, initiating real change when teachers unite around a common goal.
The establishment of the Association marks a turning point for economic education in North Macedonia, aiming for higher teaching standards, stronger professional networks, and more opportunities for students to develop the competencies needed to navigate the contemporary economy. In the coming months, the organization will focus on expanding membership, inviting teachers from across the country to build a broad professional network committed to advancing economic education and knowledge.
This initiative is part of LAI’s broader commitment to consolidate the economic education ecosystem in North Macedonia and was realized thanks to the support from the Economic Fundamentals Initiative and the US-based Atlas Network.
