Jovana Ana Hadzhi Hristovska – Scholarship Recipient from the “Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow” Fund

Jovana Ana Hadzhi Hristovska, a third-year student at “Orce Nikolov” High School in Skopje, continues to inspire her community through her activities and achievements. With unwavering dedication to positive change, she stands out not only through her volunteer work with the Red Cross, where she offers support and strives for a better future for all, but also through active participation in various projects and debates, particularly those focused on environmental protection.

Her engagement goes hand in hand with her academic commitments. Recently, Jovana and her team from the organization “I Have an Opinion!”, under the guidance of Professor Tatijana Gacova, achieved significant success by participating in a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. They tackled the challenge impressively, demonstrating strong skills in argumentation and critical thinking, especially on topics such as the spread of disinformation through media. In the debate, Jovana actively contributed to discussions and proposed solutions to address the issue, taking a stance against AI-supported fact-checkers and government media censorship. Her ability to question and challenge proposals from other groups highlighted her analytical thinking and skill in providing meaningful counterarguments.

Jovana shared about this experience: "I must admit it was not easy, as all countries had strong representatives. I even had the opportunity to personally ask a question to the President of the European Parliament Council, who responded with full dedication. This visit was very important for my personal development in many aspects, but also for our country, as it shows that new generations are eager and striving for success and the future of our nation. This was also emphasized by the representatives of the EP, who made it clear to us and to all 590 attendees that it is a significant step for our country."

In addition to her active involvement in debates and volunteering, Jovana is engaged in coding and robotics, showing great passion for creating innovative robots. Her dedication to these technical challenges demonstrates that she strives not only for academic and social success but also for exploration and innovation in technology.

A significant part of her personal and professional development has been her mentorship experience provided by the MK2025 Foundation, highlighting the important role her mentor plays in guiding her toward the future. Jovana shares: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the MK2025 Foundation and my mentor. Our mentorship process flows naturally and productively. She not only listens to my plans for the future but also guides me in the right direction. Her realistic approach and support encourage me to follow my path while aligning it with a real understanding of the environment and the demands of the labor market."