In North Macedonia, a touching act of humanity and good leadership took the globe by heart in a case involving an 11-year-old child with Down syndrome who was being bullied at a local school because of her condition.
When President Stevo Pendarovski heard about the case, including reports that certain parents had advocated to take lder off regular classes and that she had been isolated from her classmates, he did not simply make a statement about it. Rather, he did something bold and personal in support.
One day in February 2022, Embla Ademi and her family welcomed the President of Macedonia, Pendarovski, to her home in Gostivar in western North Macedonia to learn first hand about her experiences in school.
Next, taking her hand, he walked her to school himself and into the class at the Edinstvo primary school. The photographs and footage of the president walking alongside Embla conveyed a clear message of support and made it very clear that no child should ever be discriminated against or excluded because of who they are.
In official statements released through his office and social networks, it was clear that President Pendarovski had a specific point to make: “The actions of all those who do not respect children’s rights, especially children with atypical development, remain unacceptable.” Children with disabilities need not only rights but also “the feeling that they are equal and welcome in every classroom and every playground across the country,” the president underlined. “We are all equal in this society,” he said, “and while our stand with Embla is about helping that one child, it’s about fostering better understanding, empathy, and inclusion for all kids and families experiencing inequality.”
Although the child’s name remains Embla, at home she is known by her real name, Jasmine, since her family does not wish her name to be changed In choosing to personally escort Embla to school rather than making a mere symbolic gesture of doing so, the president triggered debate about issues such as the value of inclusive education, the role of embracing diversity, and the role of grownups in ensuring all children are protected and lifted up. This is an important reminder to communities everywhere that leadership, when it is guided by concern for others, can have a greatly influential impact on helping to provide a more safe and inclusive environment for all children.
