Institute for European Affairs is focusing on negotiations between Serbia and the EU as well as on strengthening the capacity of all sides involved in the process. Given the complexity and long duration of the process, the Institute brings together a large number of professionals and external experts with whom organises trainings, debates and other forms of capacity development. We want to contribute to enhanced understanding of Serbia-EU relations. The Institute provides multi-perspective trainings in order to enable active participation of professionals and citizens in the decision-making processes. The Institute actively advocates for fundamental reforms within the EU integration process and in cooperation with partners working on strengthening Serbia's capacity to face the challenges of the global world through collective action. The overall objective is active membership of Serbia in Euro-Atlantic framework for the benefit of all citizens.

My contribution to regional reconciliation

I got out of the bus, stepped to the unknown. I paused, looked around, all happy like turns, because now I’m an “important one” who will all these days to absorb all the information carefully to others opened my eyes.

I’m happy because I know that this seminar will really make a difference. Many new people, who are dear I must admit, came with the same intention. We all want to be the cause of motion and change.

Listening to many trainers, I realized what war really means. WAR = nothing, and yet like a tornado wreaking havoc, leaving deep gaps of hostility among people, which years cannot fill. Once destroyed bridges of friendship are very difficult to rebuild, but it is not impossible… We are the ones who must confront manipulation, will is everything that matters! We are the ones who have to NO! Is not that your entire history of being someone else’s toy, in which media are feeling hatred towards those who do not belong to our nation? Stop for a moment! Not everyone can be pleasant to your soul, but that is not needed, but let yourself overcome your own stereotypes! Go forward, brave, fighting for your existence, your human rights. We cannot suppress anyone, it is not humane. And thanks to war which is started by people, who resemble animals who enjoy watching other struggle, humanity is lost. In war all is forgotten, you only think about getting away with as little consequences as possible. You fear for the loss of your parents, but some have survived even that. They have moved on with people who are from the nation from whose guns came that same bullet that killed their parents. No, they have not moved on, they have not forgotten, they have just forgiven which I give a great CONGRATULATIONS to. Forgiveness shows his merciful soul which war has left a scar upon. We must know that war does not start because of civilians, it starts from superior people who see gain from certain situations. They make their own history and portray themselves as heroes and enemies as horrid and dreadful people who the country should hate. I’m sorry, but no! Even though I am 18 and I haven’t endured war crimes, I can see the consequences. I can feel the tension between ‘neighbors’, you can feel the Dead Sea which is filled with war and war stories. Hate is what cripples us. Do people even understand the meaning of the word reconciliation?! Probably not, because with reconciliation, everything gets better. We become better people, people who look forward to meeting people from different nations, people who are ready for cooperation. This form of reconciliation must get into the conscious of everyone. Is the everyday media needed for that? Absolutely.

Because we have to wake up from this dream that looks more like a nightmare to me. Say stop to manipulation. Younger generations are not met with the real truth, but the parents, their upbringing, other’s teachings plant the seed of hate. Hate the Croatian, Bosnian, and Albanian. But why? Are they not people like us? In the 21st century, are we going to be divided into people with blue and people with brown eyes? I beg of you, do not be so shallow. War- humanity’s biggest foe comes, brings only damage, and without looking back, leaves. And we are the ones who are supposed to deal with its immense consequences. I have a task and this task will be fulfilled! I have learned a lot, but I have this desire to share this knowledge, because it’s worth it! I have also been a part of the greyness that hates no one, but knows not of the truth. And then I stepped into this big world, as ambassador I wish to make a change. I presume big obstacles and predict that people will not take me seriously in the beginning, but I will fight for the upcoming generations. I will free myself of this bad situation, like of any that suffocates and tortures us. We live in a democratic country where the people are the most important and it is their vote that counts. Let’s take advantage of what we are given. Be part of the change.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons