Voices from the field
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...
Bosnian students’ glimmers through 'Living books'
The most powerful lessons don’t always come from textbooks, sometimes they come from stepping into someone else’s life. Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, 437 students from 17 primary and secondary schools discovered a different kind of library- one where books breathe, speak, and share their...
Turning pages of empathy: stories of living books open hearts of young people to diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The “Living Library” is no ordinary bookshelf. Instead of printed pages, students meet real people- “Books” who share their life experiences, challenge stereotypes, and invite dialogue. In classrooms across Bosnia and Herzegovina, five activists representing different minority groups became these...
Police cadets from Bosnia and Herzegovina are redefining the badge
In the training yards and classrooms of the Police Academy of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a quiet revolution has been unfolding. Here, future officers are learning that the badge they will soon wear is more than a symbol of authority - it is a pledge to protect the...
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...
Finding safety and hope: One year of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first LGBTI shelter
"My stay at the shelter during the summer of 2024 truly changed my life. At the beginning of that year, I lost my independence. I was in an environment that did not support me, and looking back now, I realise I was searching for a way out. At a panel discussion, I heard an anonymous letter from a...
From darkness to light: A Personal journey
My stay in the safe house during the summer of 2024 truly changed my life. At the beginning of the year, I lost my independence. I was in an environment that did not support me, and now, looking back, I realise that I was searching for a way out. At a panel discussion, I heard an anonymous letter...
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...
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...
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