U okviru projekta Regionalna akademija za demokratiju (RAD), u Subotici je danas počeo trodnevni seminar na temu „Reforma sektora bezbednosti na Zapadnom Balkanu”, na kome učestvuju predstavnici vlada i nevladinih organizacija iz Srbije, Crne Gore, Bosne i Hercegovine, Makedonije, Hrvatske i Albanije. Projekat Regionalna akademija za demokratiju sprovodi Beogradski fond za političku izuzetnost, u saradnji sa šest škola političkih studija Saveta Evrope sa Zapadnog Balkana.
Cilj projekta Regionalna akademija za demokratiju je da doprinese regionalnoj saradnji Zapadnog Balkana u oblasti demokratije, ljudskih prava, pravosuđa i izgradnje institucija jačanjem kapaciteta nove generacije političkih lidera i putem omogućavanja obostranog razumevanja i saradnje, kazala je predsednica Beogradskog fonda za političku izuzetnost Sonja Liht.
- Vi ste generacija koja će promeniti naš region i ubediti svet da prestane sa negativnim stereotipima o Balkanu. Učinite da narodi Balkana imaju razlog da budu ponosni i da imaju pravo da postanu deo zajednice evropskih naroda, poručila je učesnicima skupa Sonja Liht.
Dalj o ovome pročitajte ovde.
U nastavku je govor gradonačelnika na otvaranju seminara.
Mayor’s speech
23 February 2013
Dear Mr Sannino, Ms Licht, Mr Vejvoda, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, dear RAD participants,
It gives me great pleasure to be able to welcome you all today in Subotica at the opening of this important Programme. It is symbolic that the Programme of Regional Academy for Democracy is being opened right here, in Subotica, for several reasons:
Subotica has always been perceived as an intercultural city by virtue of its ethnic composure and geographical position as the historic meeting point of different cultural, national and religious influences. Throughout the centuries’ long history of joint living and respecting the ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, the city has become a unique historic habitat that has embraced diversity as the guiding principle, regardless to the notions of relative majority or minority. Indeed, there are 21 ethnicities living in Subotica, out of which Hungarians, Serbs, Croats and Bunjevac are most numerous.
It is in this context that one should recognize why, during the turbulent 1990s, Subotica has not experienced ethnic conflicts prevalent in the region. Despite unfavourable external situation characterized by war-induced instability, the inhabitants of Subotica have kept high level of tolerance and empathy towards their fellow citizens regardless of their nationality. This fact is mirrored, for example, in great numbers of inter-ethnic marriages, amounting to over 50 % of the total number of marriages per annually. Furthermore, The Local self-government has fully recognized the relevance of diverse cultural trademarks of different groups within our community and has, therefore, adopted policy measures, which promote interculturalism. In reality, the city administration is investing substantially higher budgetary resources to support cultural programmes of different ethnicities in comparison to other municipalities in Serbia. This share amounts to over 11 % of the total city budget, whereas the average share in Vojvodina is just above 6 %.
Following the central theme of our today’s discussion, it is worthwhile saying that the Western Balkan countries desperately need fresh ideas, fresh thoughts, new people, and new generations of politicians who will bring about positive changes in governance and decision making processes. Since we live in the so-called post-conflict societies, the politicians need to explain to our citizens that we can live not next to each other, but together with each other; we need them to give to our citizens the example of how to nurture tolerance and understanding. Here, I would like to emphasise the difference between multiculturalism and interculturalism. Whereas multiculturalism implies the cohabitation of more cultural identities, interculturalism denotes active social interaction and communication between ethnically or culturally diverse sections of the community. In that respect, Subotica’s interculturalism might serve as a socially acceptable model or a solution for other communities with diverse ethnical structure.
Following that line of thought, I do hope that you, the participants of this first RAD year, and those who will come after you, will be up to this and other challenges.
I also hope that this is not the only opening of RAD-year in Subotica! Indeed, we would like to see you next year, and for that reason, we will do our best to be good hosts.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you fruitful and enjoyable seminar, and above all, I hope you will visit us again in time to come.
Thank you.
