PARTNERSHIP AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
our Schedule
10.00 – 10.30
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
OPENING REMARKS
Event/conference
MODERATOR
- Danche Danilovska – Bajdevska, Program Director, Metamorphosis Foundation
SPEAKERS
- Bardhyl Jashari, Executive Director of Metamorphosis Foundation
- Stefan Andonovski, Minister of Digital Transformation
- Ben Nupnau, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia
- Manon Janssen, Deputy ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of North Macedonia
- Christophe Le Rigoleur, Ambassador of France to the Republic of North Macedonia
10.30 – 10.50
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
HOW RESILIENT ARE WE TO ANTI-DEMOCRATIC INFLUENCES? (QUIZ)
The audience in the hall will answer several quiz questions designed to assess their capacity and ability to contribute to building resilience against harmful anti-democratic influences.
SPEAKER
- Despina Kovachevska, Media Monitoring Specialist, Metamorphosis Foundation
10.50 – 12.00
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
RESILIENCE TO INFORMATION AND CYBER THREATS AS A FACTOR OF STABILITY AND SECURITY IN THE REGION
The digitalization process creates significant opportunities for development while also introducing growing risks that can undermine the security of states, institutions, and citizens. Information manipulation and cyberattacks pose a serious challenge to stability and trust in democratic processes, especially in the context of complex geopolitical dynamics and the growing interconnectedness of societies.
This session will examine the impact of these threats on security and stability, as well as ways to build regional and international cooperation to enhance resilience and protection against cyber and information-related risks.
SPEAKERS
- Miroslav Sazdovski, Senior Analyst, European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Finland)
- Anastasiia Romaniuk, Digital Platform Analyst, Civil Network OPORA (Ukraine) (online)
- Laura Jasper, Strategic Analyst, Hague Center for Strategic Studies (Netherlands) (online)
- Goran Rizaov, Program Coordinator at the Metamorphosis Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of News Agency Meta.mk
- Nikola Petrović, Executive Director, International and Security Affairs Centre ISAC (Serbia)
MODERATOR
- Matej Trojachanec, Researcher at the Metamorphosis Foundation
12.00 – 12.30
COFFEE BREAK
12.30 – 12.45
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
National Center for Artificial Intelligence “Vezilka”
A brief presentation of the first National Center for Artificial Intelligence “Vezilka” in North Macedonia as a project to create a national ecosystem for responsible and trusted application of artificial intelligence.
Speaker:
- Prof. Dr. Igor Mishkovski, Full Professor, Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering
12.45 – 14.00
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
HUMANITY IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As algorithms shape our lives, human rights and integrity are being put to the test. Across the European Union, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act sets standards for fairness, transparency, and accountability. However, countries outside the EU are left to regulate the responsible use of AI on their own. AI is being implemented much faster than regulatory frameworks are being established, or even minimal standards for its responsible development and use are being adopted. This discussion will highlight the risks of “regulation after experimentation,” the ethical dilemmas of integrating AI into classrooms and public services, and the urgent need for early safeguards to protect fairness and inclusivity for all citizens.
QUIZ
- The audience in the hall will answer a few quiz questions designed to assess their knowledge and attitudes related to AI. The responses will serve as an introduction to the session.
SPEAKERS
- Zia Perko Rogelj, Member of the Advisory Council of Youth at the Council of Europe and Board Member of Connect International (Slovenia/Belgium) (online)
- Ledia Canga, Senior Cybersecurity Risk Management Expert, National Cyber Security Authority of Albania (Albania)
- Milla Brown, Artificial Intelligence Policy Researcher
- Anastasija Ilievska, Community Manager, Brainster Next
MODERATOR
- Mila Josifovska Danilovska, Program Manager, Metamorphosis Foundation
15.00- 16.00
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
NETWORKING COCKTAIL
16.30 – 18.00
(Hall „Millenium 1“)
PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “IN PURSUIT OF TRUTH”
The premiere of the documentary film “In pursuit of truth” will be preceded by a discussion with the Anti-Disinformation Network, the creators of the documentary. The film is a product of the “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub,” funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
SPEAKERS
- Nevila Gjata, Editor-in-Chief, Faktoje (Albania) (online)
- Ismar Milak, Project Coordinator and Media Monitor, Why not? (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (online)
- Fitim Gashi, Project Manager, Journalist and Researcher, Sbunker (Kosovo)
- Filip Stojanovski, Partnership and Resource Development Director, Metamorphosis Foundation
- Nikola Petrović, Executive Director, International and Security Affairs Centre ISAC (Serbia)
MODERATOR
- Filip Stojanovski, Partnership and Resource Development Director, Metamorphosis Foundation
14.00 – 15.00
Hall „Millenium 1“
DATA DEMOCRATIZATION – POWER, ACCESS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SPEAKERS
- Bardhyl Jashari, Executive Director, Metamorphosis Foundation
- Ljupka Ivanovski, Head of Department for Law and Normative Affairs, Ministry of Digital Transformation
- Viktor Mitevski, Executive Director, Association for Research and Analysis – ZMAI
- Irena Bojadzievska, Expert in Open Data Policy
- Hristijan Gjoreski, Associate Professor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies (FEEIT)
MODERATOR
- Marijana Jancheska-Ugarkovikj, Project Coordinator, Metamorphosis Foundation
14.00 – 15.30
Hall „Ohrid“
THE EURO-ATLANTIC PATH OF THE WESTERN BALKANS AND THE ROLE OF INFORMATION THREATS IN IT (CLOSED SESSION)
The Western Balkans remain vulnerable to information manipulation that undermines democratic institutions, partly due to limited regulation aligned with European standards and weak coordination among democratic actors. This session will explore a whole-of-society approach to building resilience against foreign influence and information threats.
Note: Participation in this session is by invitation only.
14.00 – 15.00
Hall „Biser“
SCAMS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: CHALLENGES FOR CITIZENS AND INSTITUTIONS
This session will be held only in English.
Economic scams and counterfeit medicines pose a serious threat to the safety, health, and trust of citizens. These scams include false advertisements for products, “one-denar” (a few cents) offers that misuse personal data and/or cause economic harm, as well as counterfeit medicines that, beyond financial damage, can have severe health consequences. The rapid spread of these scams, especially through online platforms and social networks, combined with the use of artificial intelligence, presents a significant challenge to building resilience against such phenomena. The discussion will focus on the actions needed to increase the resilience of citizens and institutions, as well as on the combined approach involving all stakeholders in society that can aid in prevention, education, and protection against scams.
SPEAKERS
- Vladimir Petreski, Editor-in-chief of Truthmeter.mk
- Hyrije Mehmeti, Researcher and Editor, Hibrid (Kosovo)
- Nevila Gjata, Editor-in-Chief, Faktoje (Albania) (online)
- Amar Karadzuz, Fact-checker, Zašto ne? / Why Not? (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Robert van der Noordaa, Engineer and analyst, Trollrensics (Netherlands)
MODERATOR
- Despina Kovachevska, Media Monitoring Specialist, Metamorphosis Foundation
14.00 – 17.00
Hall „Skala 1“
WORKSHOP: “SOFT SKILLS AND CAREER PERSPECTIVES IN CYBERSECURITY” (CLOSED EVENT)
In a world where cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, there is a growing need for greater participation of young girls and women who can contribute with their perspectives and expertise. Through inspiring talks, practical exercises, and interactive sessions, participants will explore different career paths in this field, the role of soft skills in building leadership and self-confidence, as well as concrete advice for taking their first professional steps. The workshop concludes with a motivational discussion on courage, emotional intelligence, and the impact of women in the digital world.
The event is organised in the framework of the CybHER project, funded by the UK Government and implemented by the British Council.
Note: Participation in this workshop is by invitation only.
MODERATOR
- Ljubica Pendaroska, Cybersecurity Expert and President of Women4Cyber North Macedonia
