Dear Readers,

At UMD Voice, we have at least two broad goals: to bring you a nuanced perspective on issues that affect the Macedonian Diaspora and also to portray the real Macedonian experience worldwide. I believe our Spring issue delivers on both counts.

Here are a few of this issue's highlights:

- a feature on Toni Maticevski, Australia's rising star in international fashion

- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper honors Macedonian-Canadians in Toronto

- UMD delivers blankets to children in Bitola, Stip, and Delcevo

- Macedonians in Stuttgart rally support in the European Parliament, strengthening ties with German Greens

- exclusive full-length interviews with Macedonia's leading presidential candidates in the upcoming election, Ljubomir Frckoski and Gjorge Ivanov. (Note: UMD contacted all presidential candidates, however, these were the only two to respond to our questions)

As always, we would like to thank you, our readers and friends, for your ongoing support of UMD. We hope you enjoy this issue, and we look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. this June, at UMD's first Global Conference.

Click HERE to read UMD Voice.

Sincerely,
Mark Branov
Editor, UMD Voice

Your feedback is welcome. If you have questions, comments, or wish to contribute to future issues of UMD Voice, please write to me at editor@umdiaspora.org

UMD where do you guys stand on the presidential elections and what these two candidates have stated on the name issue?

UMD issued a press release on Monday regarding the presidential elections. UMD does not support political candidates, as UMD is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization. UMD looks forward to working with the person who will be newly elected President by the Macedonian people. UMD will continue to closely monitor the developments in the Republic of Macedonia.

UMD's position on the name is clear and that is UMD does not and will not support any changes to Macedonia's name.

Hey UMD, great work, how can i get access to previous issues of UMD Voice? thanks.

You can download them all by clicking: http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/35/77/

thank you

Long time no see Mark, Boufchani are great people and MANY of my closest friends.

Keep up the good work.

Alex

I would like to see a separate Canadian and Australian board listed which should include Mark, Lubi, Annie, the "Red Rocket" Mr. T. Dimitriou on Team UMD Canada.





IDEA

Team Canada vs Team USA - June 2009, Washington DC (Bowling)