The INTERNATIONAL CENTER ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS – ICAC is a foundation dedicated to fostering respect and tolerance among people, embracing the diversity of their beliefs, personalities, and languages.
Its core mission is to counteract harmful divisions, polarization, and extremism prevalent within societies and among them.
The ICAC pursues its objectives through a three-fold approach:
– Firstly, it strives to bring together a diverse group of actors in inclusive and respectful dialogues, fostering joint action to enhance peace and progress. By creating a space for open conversations and collaboration, the ICAC seeks to bridge the gaps that often separate different communities.
– Secondly, the ICAC is committed to developing a range of tools and platforms for sustainable conflict management and reconciliation. By addressing conflicts and promoting reconciliation, the organization aims to create a more harmonious world where differences are understood and resolved peacefully.
– Thirdly, the ICAC actively contributes to the broader global mission of organizations like the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and other institutions, promoting understanding and harmony among nations.By aligning its efforts with these global initiatives, the ICAC seeks to create a more cohesive and interconnected world.
The work of the ICAC extends beyond mere contemplation and theorizing; it operates as a “do-tank,” engaging in practical actions rather than being limited to a “think-tank” that only generates ideas. As a result, the ICAC serves as a crucial meeting point for state leaders, religious figures, politicians, civil society representatives, academics, and media professionals on both regional and global scales.
While the ICAC has a broad focus, its primary geographic attention centers on the Balkans, drawing upon comparative research with the Middle East and the Caucasus. These three regions have historically been subject to competing geopolitical interests of both major global powers and regional players.
By addressing and understanding the complexities of these regions, the ICAC aims to contribute meaningfully to promoting peace, understanding, and unity in a world often fragmented by historical conflicts and divisions.
The foundation’s objectives are accomplished through a comprehensive range of activities and initiatives, aimed at fostering intercultural and international dialogue and promoting values of peace, tolerance, and inclusivity.
The ICAC’s key endeavors are:
- Promotion of the Macedonian model at micro, macro, and regional levels:
The foundation seeks to showcase the Macedonian approach to intercultural and international dialogue as a successful example that can be applied on various scales. By endorsing this model, it aims to enrich and support the value of both regional and global concepts of dialogue. - Advocating for a culture of peace:
The foundation firmly believes in the idea that differences within and between societies should not be feared or suppressed but cherished as a valuable resource for humanity. By promoting a culture of peace, it encourages societies to embrace diversity and work towards peaceful coexistence. - Fostering collective societal, religious, civil, and political will:
The foundation aims to create a sense of collective commitment to enhancing intercultural understanding and cooperation. It strives to facilitate internal and regional dialogues, providing support for global dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities in a world characterized by diversity and global communication. - Promoting changes in political frameworks and intercultural strategies:
With a broader vision in mind, the foundation advocates for policies that integrate economic and social inclusion along with cultural diversity. It emphasizes the need to create inclusive policies that accommodate diverse cultural identities. - Preventing intercultural tensions and crises:
The foundation actively combats stereotypes, discrimination, and xenophobia, seeking to address the root causes of intercultural conflicts and tensions. Through various initiatives, it works towards fostering understanding and mutual respect among different cultures. - Supporting innovative initiatives for intercultural dialogue:
The foundation encourages and supports creative projects and programs that contribute to intercultural dialogue, understanding, mutual respect, and cooperation. By endorsing such initiatives, it aims to promote harmony and cultural exchange. - Raising awareness and mobilizing public support:
The foundation strives to create awareness about cultural diversity, tolerance, and inclusivity, mobilizing public support for its goals. It seeks to engage the broader public in its mission to promote a harmonious and diverse society. - Research and promotion of models for peaceful conflict resolution:
The foundation conducts research and promotes models and approaches for resolving conflicts peacefully. By sharing best practices and supporting conflict resolution initiatives, it contributes to building peaceful societies. - Cultivating generations of young advocates for civilizational dialogue:
The foundation places particular emphasis on nurturing young leaders dedicated to fostering intercultural dialogue. Through educational and awareness programs, it seeks to inspire the youth to actively engage in promoting a culture of understanding and cooperation. - Promoting cultural and religious heritage:
The foundation recognizes the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural and spiritual heritage as a means to strengthen intercultural bonds and promote mutual respect. - Addressing radicalization and extremism:
The foundation actively works towards addressing the root causes of radicalization and extremism, aiming to prevent their escalation into acts of terrorism. - Education for Civilizational Dialogue:
The foundation places a strong emphasis on stimulating, supporting, and developing both formal and informal education programs that promote civilizational dialogue. It actively encourages specific activities targeting various groups and provides financial support to initiatives that benefit the broader public. Additionally, the foundation adopts data-driven approaches to enhance informal education, focusing on scientific, religious, non-governmental, and media aspects of civilizational dialogue. Collaboration with academic and professional institutions enriches the effectiveness of these educational efforts. - Training and Collaboration:
To achieve its mission, the foundation organizes diverse training sessions and educational activities at local and international levels, geared towards fostering formal and informal civilizational dialogue education. By collaborating with individuals and institutions within the country and beyond, the foundation works towards promoting civilizational dialogue within communities and nurturing the next generation of leaders through education. - Alignment with UNESCO:
The foundation’s implementation program is carefully designed to align closely with the goals and mechanisms of UNESCO. By ensuring compatibility, the foundation reinforces UNESCO’s core values and objectives, providing valuable support to UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace, understanding, and intercultural cooperation. - Alignment with UNAOC:
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) as an international organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, cooperation, and dialogue among nations and diverse communities worldwide, serves as perfect example for ICAC to follow. As a key initiative of the United Nations, UNAOC strives to counteract divisions, prejudices, and extremism, fostering a culture of tolerance, respect, and inclusivity. Through its various programs and partnerships, UNAOC works to bridge cultural divides, promote mutual respect, and encourage collaborative action, seeking to build a more harmonious and interconnected world where differences are celebrated as valuable assets to humanity’s shared heritage. The foundation ensures that its programs and activities align with UNAOC’s core values and objectives, reinforcing their mutual commitment to promoting intercultural understanding and cooperation.
➢ Advisory Board
– President of ICAC Advisory Board – Dr. Gjorge Ivanov
– Advisory Board Members
➢ Executive Branch
– ICAC Director – Mr. Ilija Tonevski
– ICAC Chairman of Executive Board – Mr. Ivan Ivanov
– Executive Board Member – Mr. Boris Josifovski
➢ General Secretariat
Activities
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: The School for Young Leaders - A Key ICAC Project
The implementation of the School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov by the International Center Alliance of Civilizations (ICAC) holds main significance as it exemplifies the organization’s commitment to nurturing visionary leaders and fostering intercultural understanding and cooperation. As a coorganizer of this flagship project, ICAC plays a vital role in curating the curriculum, inviting distinguished speakers, and providing valuable resources and support to ensure the program’s success and impact.
The ICAC’s involvement as a co-organizer enhances the School’s reach and influence, leveraging the organization’s extensive network of partners, experts, and stakeholders. By collaborating with the cabinet of former President Ivanov and the Alumni Association of the School (ISLAA), ICAC fosters a powerful synergy that reinforces the project’s effectiveness and lasting impact.
The partnership between ICAC, the Cabinet of former Macedonian President Ivanov, and ISLAA – Ivanov’s School for Young Leaders Alumni Association creates a robust support system for the School’s participants. Together, they offer a comprehensive platform that extends beyond the training sessions, on the post-program initiatives and projects of the alumni.
In summary, the implementation of the School for Young Leaders signifies ICAC’s dedication to its mission of promoting respect, tolerance, and understanding among civilizations. This partnership creates a rounded and transformative experience for the young leaders, empowering them to address global challenges, embrace cultural diversity, and lead with compassion and inclusivity. Together, these organizations forge a path towards a more united and harmonious world, driven by the collective efforts of the next generation of leaders shaped by the School’s profound impact.
Since its beginning in 2010, the School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov has been held under the esteemed auspices of Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, the President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-2019. Over the course of past 13 training sessions, the School has attracted the participation of over 500 exceptional young individuals from around the world, each bringing a diverse academic and professional background to the program. This cultural diversity enriches the learning experience, fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment for young leaders to learn from one another and grow together.
A hallmark of the School for Young Leaders is its commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience. Throughout its history, the school has been privileged to host more than 300 distinguished lecturers and renowned speakers from the Republic of Macedonia, Europe, and other parts of the world. These experts share their expertise on a wide range of topics, exposing participants to diverse perspectives and empowering them with knowledge that extends beyond borders.
The dedication and impact of the School for Young Leaders have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, the program was honored with the prestigious title of the best socially responsible project in Europe for the year 2017 by the World Business Angels Investment Forum. This recognition underscores the program’s significance in promoting positive values and nurturing the potential of young intellectual elites as they emerge as the future political, cultural, and economic leaders.
The core mission of the School for Young Leaders is to stimulate and instill positive values in these exceptional young minds, equipping them with the tools and mindset necessary to lead responsibly and effect positive change in their societies. The school goes beyond traditional education, inspiring
participants to tackle global challenges and thrive in international competition. Emphasizing the importance of embracing cultural and religious diversities, the program aims to foster a generation of leaders who are compassionate, inclusive, and respectful of different perspectives.
In essence, the School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov serves as a transformative platform that shapes the next generation of visionary leaders. By encouraging collaboration and understanding among diverse cultures, the program lays the foundation for a more united and harmonious world, where young leaders from different backgrounds can collectively shape a brighter future for humanity.
As an initiative under the auspices of Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, the school continues to fulfill its mission of empowering young talents to become proactive agents of positive change on the global stage.
Read More about the School for Young Leaders https://www.youngleaders.com.mk/
Contact details
Republic of Macedonia