Voices from the field
This session of the website features inspiring narratives, human stories and success examples, that demonstrate positive change and improvement in the lives of individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
Young voices reveal the unequal impact of environmental challenges
“For me, the most important insight was realising that environmental problems are not ‘neutral’, but that they affect certain groups of people much more strongly.” This reflection, shared by Vasilije Keranović from the Panel of Young Advisors to the Protector of Citizens, after working with...
Learning to speak up and stand up against injustice
The first time Emilija Marinković stood up for her rights, she was a preschooler. Equipped with nothing more than a kindergarten lesson about the child’s right to play, she faced her parents with unwavering seriousness: homework could wait- her rights could not. Many years later, she laughs at...
Inside the struggle for gender-sensitive reporting
“We cannot say that we are close to a point where the media promote gender equality, avoid stereotypes, and empower women and marginalised groups.” With that blunt assessment, journalist Aleksandra Ničić sets the tone for a conversation that goes far beyond individual newsroom habits and speaks...
Constitutional and Supreme Court advisers bring Strasbourg experience into Serbia’s judiciary
As a part of its efforts to enhance national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, the action “Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia” has been supporting placements of Serbian legal professionals in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). For Milan Bajić and...
On the frontlines of journalists safety in the Western Balkans
Dragan Sekulovski, Executive Director of the Association of Journalists of North Macedonia, has long been one of the leading voices on journalists’ safety in the Western Balkans. Through his role with the Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, in particular under the...
Kada knjige progovore: učenici širom BiH uče o razumijevanju i toleranciji
Najbolje lekcije ne dolaze uvijek iz udžbenika, one ponekad dolaze iz iskustva o nečijem životu. Širom Bosne i Hercegovine, 437 učenika i učenica iz 17 osnovnih i srednjih škola otkrilo je drugačiju vrstu biblioteke - onu u kojoj knjige dišu, govore i dijele svoje priče. Kroz aktivnost „Živa...
Otvorene stranice empatije: mladi u Bosni i Hercegovini kroz žive knjige uče o različitostima
“Živa biblioteka” nije obična polica s knjigama. Umjesto štampanih stranica, učenici/e upoznaju prave ljude – “knjige” koje dijele svoja životna iskustva, razbijaju stereotipe i pozivaju na dijalog. U školama širom Bosne i Hercegovine, pet aktivista/ica koji predstavljaju različite manjinske...
A school where children learn to lead
In the quiet village of Turija in Serbia, “Veljko Dugošević” Primary School hums with more than the sound of lessons. Here, democracy is not just a subject in the textbook- it’s part of daily life. Pupils debate, compromise, take initiative, and share responsibility for their community. Over...
Policijski kadeti iz Bosne i Hercegovine redefiniraju policijsku značku
Na poligonima i u učionicama Policijske akademije Federalnog ministarstva unutrašnjih poslova u Bosni i Hercegovini odvija se tiha revolucija. Ovdje budući policijski službenici uče da značka koju će uskoro nositi nije samo simbol autoriteta - ona je obećanje da će štititi dostojanstvo i prava...
A small school with a big heart: how children in Kraljevo are learning inclusion by living it
When twelve-year-old Maša opened the door of her family home in Adrani, near Kraljevo, she wasn’t sure what to expect. A girl her age from Slovenia was about to stay with her as part of a school exchange. At first, the two were shy, carefully observing one another. But soon they found common...
A strong voice from Albania breaking disability barriers
Suela Lala, a prominent advocate for persons with disabilities in Albania, has spent over 15 years combating discrimination and promoting equality, focusing on accessibility, inclusion, and the protection of fundamental rights. She holds the position of the Executive Director of the “Së Bashku”...
Preventing and Combating Child Trafficking in North Macedonia: Stories of Resilience and Collaboration
When Jana (name changed for protection) arrived at SOS Children’s Village foster home, she carried only a small bag, and an invisible weight of fear, trauma, and mistrust. At just 15, she had endured months of exploitation by traffickers who had promised her “a better future.” Instead, she found...
A wall of words, a voice for tolerance
When graphic designers Kruna Jevtić and Luka Prstojević first sat down to brainstorm their latest project, before presenting it to the Council of Europe since commissioning it, they knew it needed to be more than just art. It had to speak- clearly, boldly, and without borders. And to speak words...
Turning theory into practice during an unforgettable week in Trebinje
For many law students, understanding human rights begins in a classroom. But for a young participant from Montenegro, Ana Novović, the Regional School of Human Rights in Trebinje in July offered something much deeper: a chance to connect with others who, despite different backgrounds, share the...
From Losing Hope to Finding Legal Certainty: A Journey to Claim Your Property Rights in Albania
The small apartment on the second floor of a former communist-era building, located in a main road not far from the centre of the capital Tirana is always busy. Under the watchful eyes of concerned citizens, the officials of Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS) explain procedures in a simplified...
Silencing truth: Confronting SLAPPs and defending press freedom in North Macedonia
Marking World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, free voices from North Macedonia are sounding the alarm about a growing threat to democracy: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These lawsuits, often disguised as defamation or civil claims, are increasingly used to intimidate...
Advancing anti-corruption reforms in Albania: from education to concrete transformations
“...Since my studies, I have had a particular interest in engaging in the field of the fight against corruption. I see it as a major challenge for our country and, above all, as an urgent issue, especially in the context of Albania’s integration path into the European Union. Personally, I aim to...
Pronalazak sigurnosti i nade: Godina dana od osnivanja prve sigurne kuće za LGBTI osobe u Bosni i Hercegovini
"Moj boravak u sigurnoj kući tokom ljeta 2024. godine istinski je promijenio moj život. Početkom te godine izgubio sam svoju samostalnost. Bio sam u okruženju koje me nije podržavalo, i sada, kada gledam retrospektivno, shvatam da sam tražio izlaz. Na jednom panelu čuo sam anonimno pismo žene...
Iz tame ka svjetlu: Put ka sebi
Moj boravak u sigurnoj kući tokom ljeta 2024. godine istinski je promijenio moj život. Početkom te godine izgubio sam svoju samostalnost. Bio sam u okruženju koje me nije podržavalo, i sada, kada gledam retrospektivno, shvatam da sam tražio izlaz. Na jednom panelu čuo sam anonimno pismo žene koja...
Fighting human trafficking: A lawyer's journey through specialised training
Ana Gemović Matić, a lawyer from Serbia, is one of the twenty legal professionals who have successfully completed the Council of Europe’s HELP course on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. Over two months of intensive training, she gained in-depth knowledge and practical skills to enhance...
A rare internship opportunity: Sofija Lekić’s journey into human rights law
For many young law students, the path to understanding the complexities of human rights law is often a theoretical one. But for Sofija Lekić, a 22-year-old law student from Belgrade, the opportunity to dive into real-world cases at the European Court of Human Rights has provided a rare and...
Nastavnici/e u Bosni i Hercegovini predvode promjene za inkluzivne i demokratske učionice
Nastavno osoblje iz cijele Bosne i Hercegovine oblikuje inkluzivniju i demokratičnu budućnost kroz inovativnu obuku o Referentnom okviru kompetencija za demokratsku kulturu (ROKDK). Od 11. do 13. februara, nastavnice i nastavnici iz osnovnih i srednjih škola u Brčkom, Goraždu, Orašju, Srebreniku...
Sofija Blagojević: A young hero championing inclusion in Serbian schools
At just 17 years old, Sofija Blagojević has emerged as an unexpected hero in the eyes of teachers and other professionals working with children. Her dedication to fostering inclusion and fighting discrimination has not only earned her recognition but also inspired those around her. "I was deeply...
*Ovaj naziv je bez prejudiciranja statusa, i u skladu je sa Rezolucijom Savjeta bezbjednosti Ujedinjenih nacija 1244 i mišljenjem Međunarodnog suda pravde o Deklaraciji o nezavisnosti Kosova.
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