Youth aspirtion survey in Republic of Macedonia This data is partly in agreement, but partially conflicts, with data from a recent study by the Macedonian Association for Free Sexual Orientation(MAFSO), which deals with the LGBT population problems 28 in the Republic of Macedonia. On one hand, the YAS's research and the analysis conducted by the MAFSO unambiguously show that among a large portion of the population the topic of homosexuality and the issue of homosexuals' rights cause unpleasantness and that they are a part of a broader social taboo. Compared with the other four tested categories in the YAS's survey, the group of those who didn't want to give an answer on the issue of homosexuals' rights, or didn't know how to answer it, is far larger in relation to the other tested social groups 29 (16.5% of the respondents selected"don't know" or"no answer"). On the other hand, these findings raise the question: is the estimation of MAFSO, with regard to the percentage of representation of 10%(200.000 people) of the homosexual population, accurate considering the young population's serious resistance against homosexual phenomena and the promotion of homosexuals' rights?(Especially since the young population should, according to the definition, be the most liberal part of the social milieu.) Attitudes towards the rights of ethnic communities reflect the post-conflict reality of the Republic of Macedonia among the young population. Although perceptions are divided with regard to this issue, it is clear that the framework that defines the rights and obligations of the larger ethnic communities – The Ohrid Frame Agreement – is endangered by a significantly large part of the young people in Macedonia. Thus, 25.6% of the young respondents declared that the rights of ethnic minorities should be reduced, while 47.4% are satisfied with the current condition of the rights in this sphere. Potential for an affirmative action exists among 21.5% of the respondents. This doesn't demonstrate any endangering of ethnic relations 30 per se, but rather the discontent found in a part of the population for the status quo as defined by the Frame Agreement. Ethnic perceptions regarding this issue are divided along the lines of the two largest communities in Macedonia: ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians. Differences in their perceptions concerning the rights of minorities are obvious even about affirmative action, for which 60.6% of the ethnic Albanians declared support, as opposed to only 8.8% of the ethnic Macedonians. The view that ethnic communities have enough rights was expressed by 52.4% of Macedonians, as opposed to 30.9% of young Albanians. Finally, 32.5% of young Macedonians favoured a restrictive action, as opposed to only 5.2% of the ethnic Albanians. This clearly shows differences in the perceptions based on ethnic group membership, but it also demonstrates the attitude among young people that the issue of ethnic communities' rights is one of winners and losers(including the Ohrid Frame Agreement). CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS living conditions, and they expect that the same will be improved in the future. Those young people who have worse living conditions are sceptical with regard to their future. ? The greatest proportion of the young people in RM, more than 60%, do not have any social engagement and are completely lethargic. The largest group of those who are active are members of political parties, a smaller group are members of nongovernmental and sport organisations, and the smallest group are members of professional organisations. ? Young people in the Republic of Macedonia are most interested in entertainment and sports, and to a certain extent in economic issues, while they have the least interest in politics. ? The young people in the Republic of Macedonia place the most trust in the banks and the international organisations. ? Young people in the RM have the least trust in the political parties and the public political institutions(government, parliament, and the president). As with the young people in EU member countries, the low level of trust in the political parties and the public political institutions is a result of the educational level and the social activity. ? The attitudes of the young people are strongly influenced by the dominant political culture and the attitudes of the general public. This reveals that a parish political awareness is predominant among the young people in RM. But, young people in RM are passive in relation to public events, they are not militant, and to a great extent they are secular. ? Young Albanians have higher trust in the international and the religious institutions. Young Macedonians have higher trust in the army of the Republic of Macedonia, while attitudes towards other institutions, political or otherwise, are without great differences along ethnic lines. ? According to the young people in the Republic of Macedonia, the government and the political parties have greatest influence on the solving of the problems. In constellation with the other conclusions, it suggests that a political clientelism is developed among the young people. ? Although they have a rather high trust in the NGOs and the religious institutions, a very small part of the young people expects any concrete support by them. ? The self initiative and the trust in the personal capacities depends on the level of education that the young people have. Conclusions: ? The greatest proportion of the young people in the Republic of Macedonia believe that they have average ? The greatest part of the young people in the Republic of Macedonia consider that the interethnic relations are improved or the same with regard to the last year. The greatest part of them expect improvement in the next _____________________________________________________________ 28 The study“Identification of LGBT population in the Republic of Macedonia – 2004/2005” available at www.masso.org.mk 29 It should be especially pointed out that this question does not mean even a minimum of an expert's analysis, but simply a personal attitude for a certain issue. 30 It should not be neglected that there is optimism in relation to the interethnic relations among the young people. Hence, 37% consider that the interethnic relations will be improved or will be improved very much within the next year, and only 8.8% consider that the same will be worsened or will be much worse. 33.5% consider that the interethnic relations will remain the same. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung 22