Nominated by Mimoza Anastovska
Teacher High School/Secondary (ages 14-18) at Public Electro Mechanical School "Gjorgi Naumov"
Bitola, , Macedonia

Dear Madam/Sir,

I know Mr. Jove Jankulovski and his work in a capacity of being colleague with him in the same school - Public Secondary Electro Mechanical School “Gjorgi Naumov” in Bitola city, Macedonia.

He has been active as secondary school teacher for already 14 years, out of which for more then 8 years he is working in the area of international on-line collaborative projects with the students from Public Secondary Electro Mechanical School “Gjorgi Naumov” motivating them and encouraging them to share, discuss and interact with other close and remote peers.

His mission was/is to empower young people in Macedonia and internationally in the spirit of multicultural understanding and cooperation, civic society and democracy via project and research work, by using ICT and project based learning.

He is continuously engaging a lot of efforts in extending “the pool” of young people and teachers that will join interactions and projects both from secondary and primary schools across the country and internationally. In order to open up international perspectives for young people, starting from 1998 he had joined International Education and Resource Network – iEARN (www.iearn.org) sharing mission – empowering young people to make meaningful difference for the benefit of the mankind.

Having in mind that fundraising in Macedonia was and still is very difficult task, and if doable, its hardly that any support will be awarded to a single teacher or group of teachers, he organized initial setup of the civil society organisation (NGO) called Interactive Education and Resource Network – IMOR in Macedonia (www.imor.org.mk). Jove built its infrastructure and its capacity for project management, and fundraising.

He had designed and managed many, many project in which young people were targeted and benefited at the same time, and also played key role in each of the project phases.

Back in spring 2001 when serious conflicts arose between Macedonian and Albanian population in Macedonia, and when politicians, media, adults were not making enough steps to overcome the conflict, he initiated project between Macedonia and Albania in moments when nobody was trying anything alike.

The aim of the project called Building Bridges over Borders by using ICT and Project Based Learning (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges) was to contribute to the ability of students to engage collaboratively and to encourage social responsibility, multi-cultural awareness and self-actualisation through building communities of educators and learners. This project joined more than 600 young people from Albania and Macedonia. Instead of me speaking about the impact of the project there are many testimonies and stories speaking about the impact of this idea on youth, their relatives, and friends (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges/personal_statements_and_testimon.htm):

By starting up this initiative, Jove had given unique possibility for youth to create community that is/was cherishing the values they gained, knowledge they learned and want to sustain that.

Acting like that, Mr Jankulovski spread the idea and enabled creation of network of open-minded dedicated and committed young people ready to be part of and to show how to bring adults together and show politicians that geographical and political borders are crossable. In support to this, youth developed open letter to all stakeholders (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges/open_letter.htm). Around 1800 young people from Albania and Macedonia joined the letter raising their voice for understanding and mutual trust.

He was always persistent in promoting the values and outcomes gained in the frames of this project. This is how this project reached finals on very prestigious international challenge awards in the area of innovative use of ICT for the benefits of youth: • Finalist in “Education category” on Stockholm Challenge Awards, Stockholm, Nov. 2002 (http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/finalists.asp?id=0&y=1&yr=2002) • Finalist in category of “Youth up on age of 18” on Global Junior Challenge, Rome, November 2002 (http://gjc.gioventudigitale.net/2002/en/Categ18.asp) • Commended project in category “New to the Net” at Child Net Academy (Child Net Awards), London, December 2002 (http://www.childnetacademy.org/winners/previous.aspx)

The level of empowerment of young people can be easily seen through their wish to continue being together in the network. That is why Jove empowered by youth initiated new project idea - Youth Have a Say Against Terrorism (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror)

With this project he empowered youth from Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia in raising their voice against terrorism in the region fostering dialogue and delivering message for peace and tolerance. In this project besides youth from Albania and Macedonia, youth from Kosovo joined and worked together united. After several months of sharing, discussing, interacting and planning how to express their perspectives towards problems they were facing in the region, they jointly compiled Declaration of Youth Against Terrorism (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror/decla.html), raising their voice against terrorism. There are many stories and testimonies (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror/stories.html) speaking about the values generated in this project Mr. Jankulovski initiated and worked on with his students. I appreciate the way of expressing and raising the voice as one and united. This declaration might play a very important role in changing the situation in our countries and hope so in the whole world. Also I am very proud that youth of my country had a chance to express our voice there. I would like to add something in the declaration: "STOP, let's search for a peaceful way of salving the problems, let's forget about the discriminations. No mater if we are white or black, Muslims, Orthodox, Catholics, we are living in one world and under one sky. Kushtrim Veseli from Prishtina This project won first prize “Youth up on age of 18” on Global Junior Challenge in Roma, Italy, November 2004 (http://gjc.gioventudigitale.net/2004/en/wCateg18.asp). There are many other things that can be mentioned in describing Mr. Jankulovski’s efforts, contribution and outcomes generated with his innovative idea how to engage young people into "hands-on" discussion and interaction with friends and peers. This collaborative projects impacted life of young people, and their families by opening up for them perspective and opportunities.

Therefore, I think that Mr. Jankulovski deserves recognition for his commitment and dedication in paving the roads for young people along which they will become productive citizens of the Globe.

The section below lists the testimonials that have been reviewed and approved by the candidate.

1. Testimonial from Edwin Gragert (1)
Other at iEARN-USA
United States

February 26, 2006 Board of Directors Global SchoolNet

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to recommend Mr. Jove Jankulovski for the GSN Online Learning Award. As someone who has known Jove for about 10 years and who has considerable experience with online education issues, I recommend him very highly for your award. He was chosen by the Soros Foundation in Macedonia to be the iEARN Coordinator in light of his leadership and vision for how education needed to change in his country.

Jove is a rare individual. He is articulate, creative, persistent, courageous and highly intelligent. He shares a deep conviction that students can learn better and that the world can be a better place if and when individuals come together online in an structured educational environment.

Articulate: Jove has an excellent ability to express himself and his ideas. He has been an active participant in our network for the past 10 years. He has made significant efforts to provide educational technology opportunities to schools in Macedonia. In this effort, he has articulately expressed to the Minister of Education and other officials in the Macedonia government and leadership circles the importance of development of 21st century skills. He has been able to share this vision with government officials who have significant financial constraints and an unfamiliarity with technology themselves. His eloquence and the substance of the discussion points enabled our organization (iEARN) to conduct training workshops in numerous schools in Macedonia.

Creative: Jove has demonstrated creativity through his aspirations for the students of Macedonia, imagining what they could do with their lives if provided quality education that provides the skills that are needed to effectively function in the globalized world of 2006. To explain this concept and the need for educational reform to a Ministry that often is mired in the traditional lecture format of education delivery has taken considerable creativity on Jove’s part. Further, he has had to interpret the need for reform in the classroom in the context of teachers who often have over 50 students –sometimes with two classes in the room—and who are struggling to even deliver what the Ministry requires.

Persistent: Needless to say, it is not easy to be an advocate for innovation in the situation described above. Yet, Jove has an ability to focus on specific objectives in order to realize his goals. For example, during the several teacher training workshop trips I have observed in Macedonia, he has demonstrated that he is not someone to take a “no” lightly. He persists in his vocalization of an educational ideal that better meets the developmental needs of both the students and the country as a whole. He is someone who shares his vision with policy-makers, as well as with the practitioners. This persistence is in the presence of a considerable number of naysayers, who are caught up in the balkanized competition between the various republics of the former Yugoslavia.

Courageous: Jove is a person of values. By taking on a leadership role in our network and speaking out for educational change, he is demonstrating that he is prepared to take risks and assume new responsibilities and challenges that stretch his imagination and create opportunities for new goals and a career of service.

Intelligent: Jove has a sharp intellect and is a critical thinker. Because of his personal position vis-à-vis the republics of the former Yugoslavia, he has a keen awareness of political history and development in the region. He is an avid and passionate discussant of political issues, bringing a wealth of information, facts and personal experiences to these discussions. He has moved skillfully within the political establishment in the Balkans due to his ability to discuss issues with intelligence and aplomb. He is someone who can see to the nub of an issue and unwrap the overlaying layers to deal with the core question under concern. Rather than get caught up in past rivalries and competitions, he finds solutions.

Clearly, I rate Jove Jankulovski as one of the top 5% of individuals I have met--both professionally and personally. His smile and warm personality complement his vision, determination and professionalism. In my opinion, he is highly deserving of the GSN award.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information on Mr. Jankulovski.

Sincerely,

Edwin H. Gragert, Ph.D. Executive Director iEARN-USA

2. Testimonial from Bob Carter (2)
Teacher Elementary/Primary (ages 5-12) at Walungurru School, NT
Australia

I have known Jove Jankulovski for six years. My relationship with him has been formed through our mutual involvement in iEARN (International and Education Resource Network) collaborative project work.

I am a teacher in both high school and elementary schools, in Australia. I have a ten-year history of using collaborative projects as a fundamental aspect of my classroom teaching. I have, for much of this ten-year period, taken a role in national and international management of iEARN.

Jove Jankulovski is an outstanding international citizen. He has made incalculable achievements to the benefit of students and teachers in his school, his nation, his region and across the globe. Jove’s success is grounded in inexhaustible effort, in dedication, in natural and honed skills and in a courage which takes him into risky and difficult areas, ones that he enters through his commitment to youth.

Jove has taken his commitment beyond the norm. It is not unusual for an educator to go farther than his mere job description and it is not unusual for an educator to make the benefit of his students a focus of their life. Jove, however, has made the benefit of students something that guides most aspects of his life. This commitment comes from Jove’s belief that students can and must rise above the ordinary and that they have a need, as emerging global citizens, to understand the forces that affect them and their communities. He is dedicated to guiding students into a world citizenship which has as its basis mutual respect and understanding, healthy self-esteem and a belief in their power, their right and their responsibility to make the world a safer and more just environment for themselves and for all other young people.

Jove has developed a near-unique approach to the promotion of collaborative project work. His approach demonstrates a thoughtful reflection on the circumstances affecting youth in his region. It demonstrates a skillful reaction to this environment, a reaction which he has taken into a planned, structured program. He has recognized the value of student involvement across the range of collaborative projects. His actions show that he sees them as vehicles upon which teachers can build excellence, commitment and involvement in their classrooms. Though his direct involvement in such collaborative projects and in his promulgation and support of professional networks, both formal and informal, his has ensured that teachers and students are not only encouraged into collaborative project work but that they are given the highest possible levels of success and achievement.

Jove has undertaken this work in a particular environment. Through years of war, ethnic-cleansing, communal violence and inter-ethnic mistrust, Jove has worked assiduously to build this program of student achievement through collaborative projects. Jove recognized that youth in his region had very special needs which had to be addressed. He understood that youth were affected by trauma and were potentially or actually distorted in their view of the world by violence, fear and suspicion. If these youth were to successfully engage in a wider world of collaborative projects they would have to overcome these distorting influences. Moreover, they would need to come to terms with the meanings for them of chaos, change, terrorism, uncertainty and the impetus to turn inwards.

Jove addressed the twin conundrums of engaging youth in global projects and making collaborative project a life-changing and life-affirming experience for youth in the Balkans. He integrated the more common classroom-based collaborative project work with a focus on student exchanges and bringing youth from different parts of the Balkans together. The effectiveness of the project work and the time the students spent together during the exchanges was maximized through meaningful integration and mutual reinforcing of each aspect by the other.

In a situation of great inter-ethnic tension, Jove’s Building Bridges project showed a determination not to allow youth to be swallowed by the deteriorating situation but, through astute project design, to develop common cause among Macedonian and Albanian students.

A similar resolve can be seen in the Youth Have a Say against Terrorism project and the associated Youth Declaration Against Terrorism. The significance of this project and declaration has been widely recognized for its practical philosophy that human rights must override sectarian interests and that hope is always a viable option to which to adhere.

It is significant to note the leading role that Jove always gives to students in project development and implementation. This, in itself, is a risk but emphasizes Jove’s demonstrated belief in the need and the ability of youth to create solutions.

In talking of this, it is important to recognize that Jove is a man living his life in the Balkans, a family man living in a milieu which pressures each to take sides and to assert a sectarian, communal righteousness. Jove’s work to propagate collaborative projects which directly address questions of ethnic division, violence and terrorism is evidence not only of intelligence and skills in pedagogy; it is evidence of courage and a demonstration of a consummate commitment to peace and global citizenship, a commitment which recognizes the interests and pivotal role of youth.

I worked with Jove for two years as part of iEARN’s voluntary three-person international coordinating committee. As well as fulfilling the daily demands of organizational process and policy and program development, Jove continued and expanded his work as described above and, in addition, managed work which involved travel throughout the Balkans and high-level professional duties. Jove’s contribution to this coordinating committee was especially characterized by sensitivity to inter-cultural matters and to the implications of organizational decisions for teachers and students in their daily involvement in collaborative projects.

Much of what I have said here has been at one step removed from description of Jove’s record vis a vis specific projects. I have done this relying on other evidence being submitted describing particular projects and programs for which Jove is responsible. My intent here has been to draw attention to the uniqueness of Jove’s work, his courageous character and the very special way in which his on-going efforts are affecting the lives of so many youth.

3. Testimonial from peter copen (3)
Other at The Copen Family Fund
United States

Jove Jankulovski is one of the most talented, committed, courageous, tireless and inspired educators/teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing. And what, to me, is more important than that is that Jove lives and breathes his vision of a better world and the ability of children and teachers to really make a meaningful difference. He walks the talk!

I know Jove as a member of the iEARN Global Assembly. I have worked with Jove since 1997 on that body.

Jove’s ability as an organizer, teacher and creative implementer of meaningful project-based-learning projects is exemplary. Against all kinds of odds (political, social, financial) he managed to engage hundreds of children in Macedonia as well as train many teachers to engage in some remarkable projects. These projects occurred not only within Macedonia, but within many countries in iEARN.

Following are only some selected highlights of Jove’s work with project-based-learning.

• In the “Education Category” at the Stockholm Challenge Awards, Stockholm, October, 2002. This project reached the finals: http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/finalists.asp?id=0&y=1&yr=2002

• In category of “Youth up to age of 18” on Global Junior Challenge, Rome, November, 2002 (http://gjc.gioventudigitale.net/2002/en/Categ18.asp)

• Commended project in category “New to the Net” at Child Net Academy (Child Net Awards), London, December 2002 (http://www.childnetacademy.org/winners/previous.aspx)

• Youth Have a Say against Terrorism: (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror). Together with students Jove initiated this project in which young people will collaborate on this very sensitive topic. Among other outcomes, youth from Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo jointly developed Youth Declaration against Terrorism that was supported by many individuals and organisations worldwide.

• November 2001, Jove initiated the project Building Bridges over Borders by using ICT and Project Based Learning, www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges that was aiming to build bridges over the same political and cultural misunderstandings and barriers. The idea was to prove that new technologies can bring people closer --especially youth; and can secure good ground for mutual action and the exchanging of activities. How? By enabling teachers and students from Macedonia and Albania to immediately expand their collaborative online project work and to create a dynamic and sustainable infrastructure for expansion to others who were not yet involved.

Also, Jove was instrumental in organizing student and teacher exchanges between Macedonia and Bulgaria in order to enrich the project-based-learning done by ICT:

• The first exchange was realized in January 10-12, 2002 and 43 students, teachers and staff from both countries took part. (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges/exchange.htm)

• The second exchange was realized in the beginning of March 2002 with 52 students, teachers and staff from both countries taking part. (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges/exchange.htm)

A most important project that Jove set up was:

• Information for Development – Linking and Empowering Balkan Youth (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/informationfordevelopment

With this project Jove wanted to contribute in building the information management capacities among the young population in the Balkan region by using ICT infrastructures. Despite differences, the aim was to prevent potential problems, and empowered youth in applying transparent and free-flowing information. All project objectives were more then met. The participants as well as the wider audience became more aware of the importance of the transparency of information. The capacities for dealing with information management were increased. This again, contributed to improving the capabilities of youth in the Balkan region and beyond.

Jove seems to me to be the perfect candidate for your award. He certainly has earned it. Honoring him, in my view, will also act as a superb model to inspire others in this field of project-based-learning.

Sincerely,

Peter Copen, President The Copen Family Fund

4. Testimonial from Adriana Vilela (4)
Technology Education Director at World Links
United States

My name is Adriana Vilela and I met Jove when I was a teacher in a secondary school in Argentina. At that time (1997) my school was a member of the iEARN network and I met Jove at several of the iEARN international teacher conferences. I was always very impressed at his energy, passion and drive to integrate technology in the curriculum not only to enhance teaching and learning, but also to take advantage of the potential of communication technologies to work in the field of youth and conflict resolution by having students interact online in projects. Proof of this is his Building Bridges over Borders Project, between Albanian and Macedonian students in times of the conflict.

In the year 2000 I had the chance to be a part of the same GEMS (Global Education Model Schools) project with him. This project was sponsered by Schools Online and iEARN and created a model for schools which had excelled in the use of technology for collaborative learning, to become "hubs" for disseminating the lessons learned and providing teachers professional development to new teachers.Jove was in charge of making this project happen successfully in Macedonia.

In 2002 I moved to the USA to work for an NGO called World Links. Chance put me in touch with Jove again when I became the Program Manager for the Macedonia E-School Program, funded by USAID. For the past two years I have had the chance to see Jove "in action" in his country and visit many of the IMOR schools and interact with IMOR teachers and students. Jove will play an important role starting new E-schools in the world of collaborative projects, as he has been contracted for this task.

It is worth mentioning that Jove's reach trespasses the boundaries of Macedonia to reach the whole Balkans.I could sense this while visiting the region in the past two years.

I support Jove's nomination in the belief that he is a visionary in education and has devoted the last years of his life diseminating the collaborative project based learning methodologies with great success, becoming himself the source of inspiration for many teachers in his region.

Sincerely, Adriana Vilela Senior Director of Knowledge Management World Links Washington, D.C.

5. Testimonial from Rada Mazganska (5)
Teacher High School/Secondary (ages 14-18) at School Center "Braka Miladinovci"
Macedonia

Dear Madam/Sir,

I work in School Center “Braka Miladinovci” from Skopje, Macedonia. My school is one of the first Macedonian schools that started to work on on-line collaborative projects. I have heard about Mr. Jove Jankulovski from my colleagues in spring 1999 when they were describing that they have attended very interesting presentations and are about to work on very interesting projects.

I met Mr. Jove Jankulovski in person the autumn 2000 when my school was awarded computer lab in the frame of Global Model Education Schools – GEMS.

At the beginning I did not joined such project activities, but when I heard how students and other colleagues are speaking about the projects they were working on, I decided to join and see what the projects they were speaking about are. I have joined with my students many of the projects Mr. Jankulovski have initiated and had incredible and unique experience for me.

Ever since, I have had chance to be part of many project Mr. Jankulovski initiated, projects in which he encourages young people from different ethnic communities to collaborate and share ideas, discuss about social problems, building tolerance and mutual confidence. Here I will mention two of these many projects which accomplished great success and made impact on many young people, educators and their communities.

Mr. Jankulovski started project Building Bridges over Borders by using ICT and Project Based Learning (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/bridges) in the period when Macedonian and Albanian population have serious ethnical conflict and no one from politicians and adults have vision what to do to bring the young people from different ethnic background together, provoke them to discuss about actual problems and contribute in solving them. It was done by Mr. Jove Jankulovski. This project actively joined than 600 young people from Macedonia and Albania. Many testimonies and stories putted on the web site of the project showed the impact of this collaboration on youth, their relatives and communities. The project was reached finals on many international competitions in the area of innovative use of ICT for the benefits of youth: Finalist in “Education category” on Stockholm Challenge Awards, Stockholm, Nov. 2002 (http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/finalists.asp?id=0&y=1&yr=2002), Finalist in category of “Youth up on age of 18” on Global Junior Challenge, Rome, November 2002 (http://gjc.gioventudigitale.net/2002/en/Categ18.asp) and Commended project in category “New to the Net” at Child Net Academy (Child Net Awards), London, December 2002 (http://www.childnetacademy.org/winners/previous.aspx). Youth who took part in this project created community that is cherishing the values they gained, knowledge they learned and want to continue this collaboration. Because of that Mr. Jove Jankulovski made up the new project Youth Have a Say Against Terrorism (www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror). Young people from Macedonia, Albania and Province Kosovo collaborated in this project in order to overcome the problems in the region, fostering dialogue and delivering message for peace and tolerance. Their discussion day after day during the several months produced the declaration in which youth raised their voice against terrorism. Outcomes from this project, including many testimonies and stories speak about impact of this project on young people and their surrounding. (http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/noterror/stories.html). This project won first prize “Youth up on age of 18” on Global Junior Challenge in Roma, Italy, November 2004 (http://gjc.gioventudigitale.net/2004/en/wCateg18.asp). Beside of this project which I was mentioned above, Mr. Jove Jankulovski has done many other activities to empower young people in the spirit of multicultural understanding, collaboration and democracy. All these projects have empowered me in many ways, starting from my professional point of view, and also personally. Also, students I worked with on these projects are always looking with different eyes on the world. They have experienced on-line collaborative learning internationally and are open to other. I am proud to be person that contributed in that.

It is always great pleasure for me to speak about Jove, his dedication and endless energy in working on on-line collaborative project activities. While working with him I had great time, great experience and extraordinary learning experience. Mrs. Rada Mazganska Teacher, School Centre “Braka Miladinovci” Skopje, Macedonia

6. Testimonial from Cheryl Morgan (6)
Federal Programs Director at Dysg
United Kingdom

I would like to add my testimonial to the excellent nomination letter submitted by Mimoza Anastovska. As the Country Coordinator for iEARN in Britain I have been impressed by Jove's imaginative and creative efforts to use the Internet to bring students together in a positive fashion. His 'building bridges over borders' was one such example of turning potentially explosive conflict situations into positive learning experiences. I could site many more examples.

Jove has also demonstrated caring leadership as a member of the Executive Council for the International Education and Resources Network. This network of 109 countries is a highly complex and highly exciting meeting place for students and teachers around the world who believe in connecting youth to make a difference in the world.

I can fully support this nomination for the GSN online shared learning award. I am proud to call him both a colleague as well as a friend.

Dr. Cheryl Morgan Senior Development Adviser Dysg - Learning and Skills Development Agency in Wales, UK

7. Testimonial from Dalia Khalil (7)
Other at iEARN Egypt
Egypt

Jove is a true model of a dedicated international educator. He served on the iEARN International Excutive Secretary 2003 - 2005. He made every effort to assist country coordinators form around the world to develop and get their programs start of the ground and start operating. His continuous response was always welcomed by the iEARN global community. His leadership traits were very much utilized into pratical solutions for teachers and students all over the world.

As a new educator to iEARN myself in 2003, I met Jove during the iEARN International Conference that took place in Japan. I was impressed by how a global network recognize Jove not through his face, country, etc. however by performance and effective communication skills with everyone at every spot on the globe.

Another incidence was when I met again in 2004 during the International Conference in Slovakia. Jove took of his valuable time not less than2 hours to sit with me and explain the details for the digital artists and HIV. His enthusiasm helped to overcome the fear of taking these innovative ideas back to our students in Egypt. He was sincere in how he was willing to help in each and everyway including online mentoing.

On behalf of iEARN Egypt and many of the teachers and students that benefited from Jove's experience, dedication, and love for the welfare of the universe, I strongly nominate him for your respectable awar. Thank you.