Donor: Freedom House
Duration of the project: May 2001- April 2002
The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights opened its branch office in Priboj, in the ethnically – mixed region of Sandzak, in February 2001. The goal of the project was to help the development of civil society in the region. Thus, a series of round tables was organized, at which different aspects of civil society and human rights were discussed. The goal was not only to spread information and educate, but to build a network among the participants, so that they could later cooperate. There were six round tables, covering different areas. The seminars exposed the public in the region to the human rights in diverse societies and showed that dialogue between members of different ethnic groups was possible.The project was realised through the initiation of different media campaigns (posters, leaflets, jingles, promotional videos broadcast five times a day), along with public discussion aimed at raising public awareness. Close cooperation was established with local media, schools, NGOS, citizens and associations.
The participants got familiar with various successful models for managing diversity which exist in different countries and showed them that there were no ethnically or religiously homogenous societies, but that ethnic groups within itself were not homogenous either. In particular, the following issues were discussed: human rights and rights of minorities; democracy, multi-culturalism and multi-ethnic cooperation; Sandzak region between Serbia and Montenegro; independent civic initiatives: strategies for building support; economic strategy of the Sandzak region and development of small and medium enterprises; economic and social rights – can they be implemented in transition. All round tables were covered by the local TV station, TV SAN.
