Žaklina Durmiš, Skopje. Trained as a lawyer, Ms Durmiš is currently pursuing a MA in social work and social policy at the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, where she has successfully completed several courses on civil society. She also works as a legal advisor for Romani families at the Caritas office in Skopje, as an assistant in a law office, and as director of a project to provide educational support to Romani children and youth.

Ahmet Jašarevski, Kumanovo. One of two leading activists in the Kumanovo-based Romani NGO Drom, Mr Jašarevski has designed and implemented projects in pre-school, remedial, and adult education for the local Romani population. He also serves on the World Bank Country Working Group. Additionally, Mr Jašarevski has taken part in events organized by the US-based NGO Project on Ethnic Relations (PER) toward developing a government strategy on Roms in Macedonia, and was been appointed as a member of the National Working Group for the strategy.

Gjulsefa Kurteši, Skopje. A university-trained primary school teacher, Ms Kurteši worked at the “Brothers Ramiz and Hamid” school in the Romani-majority municipality of Šuto Orizari. She was also a member of the working group on human rights formed in the framework of the ECMI project “Securing Implementation of the Ohrid Agreement through Concrete Policy Action”.

Sabina Mustafa, Skopje. Ms Mustafa is a student of journalism at the University of Skopje’s law faculty. Having completed an extended internship in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, she now works on the staff of the Romani student magazine Roma Index.

Robert Rustem, Skopje. Having completed university studies in metallurgy, Mr Rustem now works as an advisor on Romani issues in the Skopje mission of OSCE. With a broad range of experience gathered from his previous work in the NGO sector, Mr Rustem has a special interest in conflict resolution, education, and intercultural studies.

Ljatife Šikovska, Skopje. Born and raised in the West Macedonian city of Gostivar, Ms Šikovska eventually settled in Skopje, where she is currently employed at the Youth Centre Nadež in Šuto Orizari. A former professional football player with a university degree in physical education, she also serves as a coach for the Open Fun Football School.