International Human Rights Day is observed every December 10th, the day when theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect and remind ourselves of the inalienable rights of every human being, while comparing this document to our everyday reality.Human rights cannot exist without democracy. For the promotion and protection ofhuman rights, democracy is essential, with all its components: the rule of law, stronginstitutions, an independent judiciary… And, logically, engaged citizens are necessary,as democracy expects a great deal from them. It expects them to be politically literate, well-informed, and to actively participate in social…
Every November 25th marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Although the phrase “against” has long been in use, I prefer theword “towards,” because, perhaps illusorily, it evokes an image of equality. I chooseto believe that it is possible to escape violence and that society is ready to shed theshackles of imposed patriarchal values and step toward equality for all members ofour society. Throughout these 16 days of activism, several important dates will becommemorated: the International Day for the Elimination of Violence AgainstWomen, World AIDS Day, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, theanniversary of the…
Tolerance – A Path to Change or an Excuse for the Status Quo?
Tolerance – A Path to Change or an Excuse for the Status Quo?
Tolerance – a word often invoked as a moral ideal, a value we are told we should cherish. But what does it really mean when we say “tolerance”? Does anyone truly want to be tolerated? Imagine someone telling you, “I tolerate you.” Does that sound like acceptance, respect, or genuine appreciation? Hardly. Tolerance isn’t a sign that we are truly seen; on the contrary, it draws a line, a distance between us. In our social lexicon, “tolerance” increasingly comes to represent restraint – the suppression of reaction, the avoidance of confrontation, the silent endurance of unpleasantness. It is more and…
Mila Pajić On this World Teachers Day many will highlight the importance of education and the role teachers play in our lives. They also have a role to play in educating youngsters about the importance of peace and empathy, but what if these teachers are working in poor conditions and societies that instigate inherited divisions, what can we expect from them? History classes in primary school are often regarded as some of the least favorite subjects—though it might be unfair to use stronger terms. It’s just that students aren’t exactly excited when they have to learn about Troy, the Dark…
Empowering Students: A Conversation with Ilir Kicmari
An insightful episode with Ilir Kicmari, a dynamic student activist and a passionate advocate for solving student issues. Ilir finished his studies in Computer Science at Universiteti i Prishtinës, Fakulteti i Shkencave Matematike Natyrore, and has a background in Financial Mathematics from RTU – Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte. In this episode, Ilir shares his journey from academia to activism, discussing how he founded an organization dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by students today. We dive into the initiatives he’s leading, the impact he’s making, and his vision for the future of education and…
