United Macedonian Diaspora

Generation M, the United Macedonian Diaspora’s (UMD) young leaders program is proud to announce the newest additions to their global leadership team. The newly appointed Representatives and Senior Advisor along with Generation M’s current Board of Directors actively promote the education, empowerment, and unification of Macedonian youth around the world.

The Generation M team has sought inspiration in these uncertain and changing times by strengthening their digital footprint and relations. Recently, Generation M has brought young Macedonians together through social networking events such as online Zoom sessions focusing on personal finance, Macedonian culture, and history, as well as a Macedonian Virtual Trivia night. Generation M has also launched their first-ever mentorship program where they will match young professionals with experienced Macedonians in their field.

Through this expansion and the ongoing commitment of UMD Generation M members, Macedonians around the world will find a community that perseveres during an unprecedented period such as this. One that persists together.

We encourage all young Macedonians to join the ranks of Generation M to continue the advancement of our culture and identity. Email us at generationm@umdiaspora.org to get involved!

To learn more about Generation M you may check out our website by visiting www.generationm.org.

Presenting the newest additions to our team:

UMD’s Generation M has appointed its first-ever representative in Solun, modern-day Greece. For their safety, their identity will be kept anonymous. The Generation M team is overjoyed to have this individual on board and looks forward to continuing to preserve our heritage in such an important and sensitive geographical location for all Macedonians.

Marija Anevska

Vice Chair, Australian Operations

Marija Anevska was born in Melbourne with roots from Bitola, Ohrid, and Mala Prespa. She graduated in 2016 with a B.A from The University of Melbourne, double majoring in Politics & International Studies and Psychology. She is currently in her final year of the Melbourne Juris Doctor.

As a proud, first-generation Macedonian-Australian, she is excited to see Gen M grow in Australia, continuing to spread our Macedonian cause and culture.

Izabela Barakovska

Regional Representative, Perth, Australia

Izabela is a first-generation Australian-Macedonian, born in Perth with a heritage from Prilep and Berovo. She has proudly grown up with one foot in each culture and appreciates the perspective and passion it has given her for multiculturalism and international relations, and the interconnected nature of people, languages, culture, history, art, architecture and politics.

Finishing her secondary education by attending the 2019 United Nations Youth Australia Young Diplomat’s European Tour opened her eyes to various international organisations and issues – the very same which she aims to spend her professional life working in and with. She is currently undertaking her B.A. from The University of Western Australia, majoring in Political Science & International Relations and Management.

Izabela’s Generation M experience began in 2019 as the Perth Regional Representative. Her current aim is to further establish the Western Australian division of Gen M.

She loves asking questions and strongly backs their capacity for disillusionment, education, character building, and life-changing conversations. Her experience in public relations, marketing, and journalism over the last half-decade, seamlessly complements her ambitions to improve awareness, opportunities, communication, and engagement (regarding politics, multiculturalism, education, and leadership alike) in local and international communities.

Mitch Belichovski

National Advisor, Australia

Mitch Belichovski joined UMD in 2019. Born and bred in Australia with roots in “Lerinsko”, Aegean Macedonia. He recently achieved his Master of Finance from RMIT in Melbourne and works as a financial adviser at Australia’s largest stockbroking firm.

Having worked previously at a Macedonian Human Rights organisation he brings experience and a passionate mindset. He hopes to help protect Macedonia’s sovereignty and work towards the recognition of Macedonian minorities in Greece and Bulgaria. In his spare time, Mitch enjoys networking, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Filip Jotevski

Senior Advisor

Filip Jotevski is a proud, first-generation Macedonian-American born in Columbus, Ohio with roots from Bitola, Macedonia. Filip lives in Washington, D.C. where he is an Associate Director at the Democratic National Committee.

He first got his start with Generation M as an International Policy and Diplomacy Fellow for the United Macedonian Diaspora where he helped kick-start the Macedonian youth movement as its first Global Chair in 2015. Following the successes of launching in Canada and the United States, he was then an inaugural participant of Birthright Macedonia where he worked in the Cabinet of Jerry Naumoff, Minister for Foreign Investments, in Skopje.

Filip aims to use his experience in politics and government to advance the Macedonian cause and inspire young Macedonians around the world to do the same.

He enjoys traveling, playing rugby, and re-watching the Alexander movie on a monthly basis.

Elena Sekulovska

Regional Representative, Melbourne, Australia

Born in Bitola, Elena Sekulovska moved to Melbourne at the age of 10. She is currently in her second year of Bachelor of Arts, she is double majoring in History and Politics & International Studies at the University of Melbourne. After she completes her degree, Elena aims to earn a Masters degree in International Relations and hopes to pursue a career in either diplomacy, public service, or academia.

Elena has a range of interests which include history, international relations, politics, geography, and learning new languages. She is the current Vice President of the Melbourne University Macedonian Students Society.

‘I joined Generation M because I believe that Macedonians as a whole cannot advance Macedonian interests without youth engagement, as the future continues from them. Young Macedonians from the diaspora must engage in diplomacy, business, networking and social events which help them solidify their heritage in order to advance Macedonian interests – Generation M is the perfect platform for this.’

Stefani Taskova Miteva

Secretary, Board of Directors; Chair, Australian Operations

Stefani Taskova Miteva is a second-generation Australian-Macedonian born in Melbourne with roots from Veles and Aegean Macedonia. She graduated from Monash University in 2019 with a B.A majoring in International Relations (IR) and Human Rights and is currently pursuing her Masters in IR. Macedonia has always been a big passion of Stefani’s, who has always wanted to live a part of her life there. After completing Birthright Macedonia in 2019, this became a reality.

She hopes to continue empowering young Macedonians around the world, so that we may all leave a better impact.

‘UMD and Birthright Macedonia have opened doors for me, and my love for Macedonia continues to grow.’

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The views of the author may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Macedonian Diaspora and Generation M.

Reader, if you’ve been kind enough to click on this post I can only suppose you know a little about the United Macedonian Diaspora.

I didn’t when I first clicked onto this site.

This might surprise you by way of confession for its new Communications Director, but there’s your logic for why it matters right there.

You see, three years ago I couldn’t point to Macedonia on a map. I have a degree in International Relations, and yet when my now fiancée told me she was from there I had to pause for a moment.

As I’ve discovered, there’s an uncanny parallel between my native Scotland and the country I now consider a second home. It’s almost offensive to call them ‘my in-laws’, it’s such a stoic term that lacks any of the experience that goes with it, for they took me under my wing and educated me about who, and what, Macedonia is.

My Macedonian family told me about their culture, their history and what the Germans call a ‘Weltanschauung’ – their way of thinking. I am eternally grateful for the enthusiasm and love my Macedonian side have extended to me – language was never even much of a barrier, but the sheer exhaustion that my better half endured as her conversationalist of a grandfather and I met to discuss *everything*, well, I’ll let her tell you that story.

Macedonia and Scotland are united in maths. Small countries of a few million have, over the centuries, somehow managed to form a global diaspora double the size of their homelands. An affinity for the home country and a love for where these disparate diasporas have made their new home is not an oxymoron. To be ‘Macedonian’ and to be ‘Scottish’ are two self-descriptions which are far wider and deeper than mere geographic boundaries.

There is, however, one big difference. As Macedonia’s very right to self-determination is rooted in an absurd name debate, its diaspora seems dwarfed. There is a horrible predisposition to cite ‘the Balkans’ as a staple of nationalism and a hotbed of hate. It’s an unfortunately enduring cliche, and one that must, and should, be challenged at every turn.

So that’s where the UMD come in. From the first time I clicked on to the site and right through working with the organisation it has become, remains, and will continue to be the defining light for Macedonian interests. Its work is ambitious, but it’s rooted in the simple belief that Macedonian culture is global, transcendental and should be unified to showcase the best and serve its people spread out across the world.

It also happens to adopt those who cherish the opportunity to support it and learn more about it.

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Photo: Gevgelija, Macedonia / Credit: Alastair Stewart

The views of the author may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Macedonian Diaspora and Generation M.