The lecture of the NATO Academy 2020 on the topic "Cyber security as a global problem - different aspects" with:
- Dr. Metodi Hadzi-Janev, Associate Professor of Law at the Military Academy - Skopje and Arizona State University in the U.S. within the Center for Emergency Management and Home Security; Vice President of ATA Macedonia;
- Col. Mitko Bogdanoski, Deputy Dean of the Military Academy "General Mihajlo Apostolski" - Skopje; associate at Goce Delchev University and
- Ms. Ljubica Pendarovska, President and Coordinator of the National Chapter, Women4Cyber; Data Protection and Ethics Expert at RePAST Horizon2020.



After the opening of the event by Mr. Ilija Djugumanov from ATA Macedonia Presidency, Dr. Hadzi – Janev started his lecture with emphasizing that the cyberspace is changing the world for good, but also for bad, and that the cyber challenges are widespread: from threats to the individual to threats to national security. As he said: "… The technological progress is imperative, and therefore appropriate leadership is needed, and the best way to find a balance between threats and benefits is to build a cyber-resilient society. This requires an increase in media and information literacy among young people. These efforts should involve both the public and private sector, local authorities and families. Literally everyone! ”, Mr. Metodi Hadzi-Janev pointed.

The next lecturer at the Academy was Col. Mitko Bogdanoski, who referred to today's dependence on electronic devices and the danger of cyber attacks, which according to him are very probable today, but can most harm society. The Colonel also mentioned that China and Russia want to show that not only can they deal with such cyber attacks, but that they have the capacity to carry out such attacks, unlike the United States, which does not use cyberspace for these purposes.

He also explained to the participants how technology has changed and is still changing and expanding the battlefield, citing cyberspace as the fifth dimension. In his presentation, Col. Bogdanoski also paid attention to nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence as possible security threats if abused.

Ms. Ljubica Pendarovska, who has recently been appointed as President and Coordinator of the National Chapter of the newly formed Women4Cyber, used the lecture to officially promote this initiative which is part of the European Cyber Security Organization created by the EU in order to identify and build a register of women professionals in the field of cyber security, but also to fill the gender gap in this key area. Ms. Pendarovska encouraged the participants of this NATO Academy to educate and dedicate themselves to the topic of cyber security and to engage in similar initiatives, emphasizing the inclusion of the fairer sex in these topics as key to a successful fight against cyber attacks.

After today's lecture, the participants of the Academy, alomg with representatives of YATA Macedonia had the opportunity to attend an online discussion with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Attila Mesterhazy. This discussion with the next generation of Euro-Atlantic leaders focused on the main problems facing the Alliance today, but also in the future, such as: the future of transatlantic relations; the evolution of the strategic rivalry with Russia and its impact on key partners such as Ukraine and Georgia, and the implications of China's growth. The discussion was held on the margins of the three-day session of the 66th NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which was held online this year from November 18th to the 23rd. The session gathered 269 MPs from 30 NATO member states and parliamentary bodies, where NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the participants.

After the lectures, the participants showed special interest in this topic and asked a dozen questions to the speakers, followed by a discussion.

This project is supported by the NATO Sector for Public Diplomacy.