United Macedonian Diaspora

Founded in 2004, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) (, Obedineta makedonska dijaspora) is non-governmental organization registered in Washington DC, United States as a not-for-profit entity and a tax-exempt organization. It address the interests and needs of Macedonian people and communities throughout the world outside of North Macedonia.
Objectives and Policy Issues
The United Macedonian Diaspora states its main goals are "to foster unity among Macedonian people and to advance their cause". The organization's objectives are safeguarding the rights of Macedonians around the world; strengthening the unity of the Macedonian Diaspora; acting for the benefit of Macedonian communities before governmental and international bodies; cooperating with the world community by promoting universal ideals of peace, freedom, self-determination, and justice; and preserving and promoting Macedonian culture. Policy issues the organization undertakes are as follows: supporting the Republic of North Macedonia's constitutional and rightful name; advancing Macedonian issues through educational advocacy, charitable efforts, and social and cultural events; defending the Macedonian ethnic and national identity internationally; supporting the human rights of Macedonians in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, and Serbia; improving bilateral relations between North Macedonia and Australia, Canada, China, European Union Member-States, Russia, and the United States, among others; and assisting in North Macedonia's accession into international bodies such as the EU and NATO.
Publications
UMD publishes its magazine UMD Voice four times a year. The magazine keeps the UMD members informed on the latest events concerning the Republic of North Macedonia and the ethnic Macedonians as well as UMD organized events and initiatives. The newest issue of UMD Voice is available free of charge at this location. The editor of UMD Voice is Natasha Garrett.
Projects and Initiatives
UMD sponsors an annual 5K run and holds fundraisers to alleviate economic, educational, and health issues in North Macedonia. These efforts contribute toward rebuilding after disasters too.
Another initiative is 'Birthright Macedonia'. This project allows young adults to live in North Macedonia for a few weeks as they complete internships of their interest and become immersed in the culture.
UMD also includes a youth program called, Generation M, for young Macedonians in the diaspora to get involved and learn about the issues that surround North Macedonia. Generation M works toward fostering the growth of leaders within the younger generations of Macedonians so that they can continue to advocate for their heritage and the people of North Macedonia.
Organization and Structure
With headquarters in Washington, D.C., UMD has representatives serving Macedonian communities around the world, including in Albania, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, the United Kingdom, and throughout the United States. The current members of the UMD board of directors are as follows: Stojan Nikolov (chairman of the board), Metodija A. Koloski (president), Aleksandar Mitreski, (vice president), George Peters (secretary), Lidija Stojkoska (treasurer), Ordan Andreevski (director of Australian operations), Trajko Papuckoski (director of US operations), Dimitar Nasev (director of economic development), Mario Hristovski (Generation M global chairman), Natasha Garrett (director). These representatives are not elected by the general Macedonian population, but rather appointed by UMD.

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