United Macedonia Diaspora

[Prolet]

SOM, Juzhni is what southern in Macedonian? i got no idea how we got from a wild accusation you made against me, totally unprovoked to accuse me about an informator article from ages ago. How does that have to do with me changing the size of my signature?

I got no idea what you mean when you say Juzhni its why i asked you, thats the honest truth.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Prolet, drop it. You're head is up Nikola's arse, perhaps we should call you 'juzhni', given the predicament.

[Vangelovski]

It is being run by the Australian Research Council, it is a major research project (to the tune of ~$1m) into Australia's ethnic communities and the Macedonian community will be one of the 5 studied.

I believe the Macedonian Government has also put some money, albeit nominal, toward this research project.

I also believe that upon hearing that the 'Macedonian' community is one of the communities to be involved in the study, the Greek community (and Gov) withdrew from the project (they were to be one of the other communities).

I think it is a very worthy research project and something that can in future be used, and will likely be used (whether by our community, or by others, depending on the content) in future lobbying efforts.

Let me put it another way - like it or not, the research is going ahead and will perhaps carry some weight when complete, so I think it is therefore important that its' content be right on the mark through involvement of the Macedonian community, rather than us having a completely dismissive and thus non-involved position on this, which could end up biting us all on the arse in the end.

Rogi,

Noone is questioning whether it will be used. The problem lies in UMD's pretence to be such an important "representative" of the Australian Macedonian community. They're essentially using one man's connections at Victoria University to present themselves as some all-encompasing organisation which in no way represents the community here and they will use it to act as our representative with the Australian Government.

[UMDiaspora.org]

Thank you to all those who filled out the survey! This survey will tremendously the Australian-Macedonian community. The goal is to obtain 1,000 people to fill out the survey...please pass it on to your contacts.

[Vangelovski]

Thank you to all those who filled out the survey! This survey will tremendously the Australian-Macedonian community.

Meto,

You falling into line with our views rather than forcing your own (read MK Government/US Government) onto us will help us much more.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Anything with the UMD's involvement should be viewed with suspicion after their disgraceful performances.

[Mikail]

You're right about that SoM!

I take Rogi's point though.

I was given his information yesterday from a relative. I let them know not to put any supporting views toward the UMD if they choose to take part of the survey.

I let them know why UMD can not be trusted!

SO Meto, your thanks means nothing at all!

[Rogi]

Look, at the end of the day, even that questionnaire allows you to voice your views against UMD, if that is your intent.

You could just as easily click on 'Strongly Disagree' beside UMD on Question 17 and the results, when released, will show that.

But I think some of the other points might be worthwhile, purely because the resultant report, will propably matter.

[XRVOL]

Done. Hopefully something substantial results out of this.

[lavce pelagonski]

Completed it

[lavce pelagonski]

I think it will help as Rogi said you can voice you opinion for or against the UMD or any question put forth.

[makedonche]

Look, at the end of the day, even that questionnaire allows you to voice your views against UMD, if that is your intent.

You could just as easily click on 'Strongly Disagree' beside UMD on Question 17 and the results, when released, will show that.

But I think some of the other points might be worthwhile, purely because the resultant report, will propably matter.

Rogi
I don't disagree, however my concern is that UMD are using this as a credibility gaining exercise. Why didn't this survey get conducted by involving all the Macedonian Community groups, or better still through the Association of Australian Macedonian Communities?

[XRVOL]

With all due respect, but not every initiative needs to go through or involve every other Macedonian organisation. Many initiatives have gone ahead without the cooperation or approval of others.

[makedonche]

With all due respect, but not every initiative needs to go through or involve every other Macedonian organisation. Many initiatives have gone ahead without the cooperation or approval of others.

XRVOL
I take your point, and yes that's quite true, but when we are asked to provide information on a survey by Australian Universities and an NGO, don't you think it relevant to ask who the NGO is? what their role is? how will the information be used? what criteria are in place to ensure Macedonians are surveyed? how they intend to identify ehnic Macedonians from Pan Hellenic(imposter) Macedonians?

[UMDiaspora.org]

Some news coverage:

http://www.kanal5.com.mk/default.aspx?mId=37&egId=13&eventId=64607

http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=31201C32DBB1D2419B6E8A89C5CB4674

http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=9710952382&id=9&setIzdanie=22078