Meeting with Mayor Teuta Arifi: My "Democracy & Civil Society" class from the State University of Tetovo meets with the Mayor of Tetovo, the Honorable Dr. Teuta Arifi

Yes, my last "official" meeting with my "Democracy and Civil Society" class was last week. But we still have meetings and events planned. Because. Learning.  (And, a good way of postponing the inevitable Good-Byes)

Today, my students and I had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Teuta Arifi, the Mayor of Tetovo, in her office in the Municipal Building in Tetovo.

The country is divided into 8 administrative regions, and, in addition to serving as the Mayor of Tetovo, Dr. Arifi also is the President of this administrative region (Polog).

Mayor Arifi is the first Albanian woman elected to the Parliament in Macedonia. (In fact, she is the first Albanian woman elected to a legislature in this region - before Kosovo and before Albania)

We asked the Mayor to help us better understand the mandate of municipal government in Macedonia, what kinds of projects and programs is the city of Tetovo undertaking, the role of the political parties in local government, the impact of the delayed municipal elections (as a result of the new government not formed in a timely manner, and thus no one to call the local elections), and the role of women in politics in Macedonia.

It was such an interesting and informative discussion. We are so appreciative of this opportunity

Here is Dr. Teuta Arifi's Biography, as posted on the municipal government webpage:

www.tetova.gov.mk/ bio of Teuta Arifi


Here is the Tetovo Government website: www.tetova.gov.mk/

with the Honorable Dr. Teuta Arifi, Mayor of Tetovo

a few souvenirs from USFSP

Such an interesting conversation with Mayor Arifi...THANKS so much for meeting with us!

these are the 8 administrative regions in Macedonia...Mayor Arifi is President of the region that includes Tetovo

a wonderful opportunity for my students and me....we are truly impressed and inspired by Mayor Arifi's commitment to public service

this backdrop had been red to signal the party of the previous mayor, and when she became mayor many assumed (or encouraged) the backdrop to be changed to blue for her party. Instead, she chose purple, to symbolize that this is a government working on behalf of all of the people of the city, not just those in her party. 

Mayor Arifi with students from my "Democracy and Civil Society" class