PEOPLE: Daniela Stojanova

I can't work something I don't believe in

In the column "People" we present NGO sector activists from Macedonia and abroad. Our goal is to present them not only from the aspect of their professional engagement, but also as individuals with their own special interests, affinities and opinions, to make them closer to the broader public, a through them, to popularize and encourage the civic engagement in Macedonia. This time, we present Miss Daniela Stojanova, activist of the Macedonian Ecologists' Movement.

Professional experience: I manage the Secretariat of the South-Eastern European Ecological NGO Network - SEEENN. 

Engagements at the NGO sector: In 1992 I started high school and my first activity was collecting messages (leaves about the tree of life) for the former president Kiro Gligorov to take them to Rio de Janeiro to the World Summit on Environment. 

Hobbies and interests: I find politics more and more interesting, and as far as my hobbies are concerned - well, I used to collect paper napkins when I was little and I used to make a herbarium, and I still collect chocolate packaging and coins, and I mustn't forget knitting and embroidering.

Toughest decision: I haven't made it yet.

Ambitions: At the moment - to make SEEENN sustain, and my long-term ambition is to have my village where I would prove that it is still possible to live in accordance with nature, and I hope that the Balkan houses of understanding will be created, eventually.

In her free time, she reads: The last thing I read was "Illusions" by Richard Bah and before that "Zona Zamfirova" by Stevan Sremac. I love reading and I can say that from a very young age I read almost everything that I come across. 

I her free time she goes: Mountain, village, park, some place where small things really make you happy.

At weekends: Most of the time I travel, or I am at a meeting, conference, seminar, and my free weekends in Skopje are reserved for my nieces.

Which national/local problem do you find especially important and why?
The desire to live abroad - the belief that it is better there, which is of course, encouraged by many things going on in our country and our region. It is a pity that very few people can visit another country and meet different people - and realize that our land is wonderful. And, as far as the country is concerned, well we are here to change it if there is something that we don't like. In my opinion, the lack of trust that we have the power to change something is a big problem, as well as the expectation that the changes can occur quickly.

Which global problem do you find especially important and why?
The globalisation. I am afraid that one day our children will not have the power to make decisions by themselves or a chance to express their personal opinion.

What would you change in Macedonia? What would you change in the world?
The lack of vision in Macedonia, long-tern plans are rarely made. In the world, I would like to change the human selfishness and make them turn to nature and realize that it always wins.

Advice/message: I love this sentence - "See through the eyes of the other, to see something you cannot see by yourself". See things from several aspects and in future, you will realize that things are not as they seem at first glance.

I could never: I do not believe in the words "never" and "always", but it would be horrible to work something I do not believe in, and of course, without my nieces.