The Political Academy is the annual program of supplemental education for younger members of the Serb community which additionally motivates and prepares them for all the processes (participation in decision-making, negotiation, representation etc.) at the level of local and regional self-governments. The Academy’s Program is intended for individuals wishing to be active in the wider public – academic, media, or general – to research, promote and raise awareness about topics of special interest for the Serb community.
Special emphasis is placed on the young because of the significant demographic change of the Serb community after the war, which today predominantly consists of the middle-aged and older generation. This fact affects Serb organisations and one of the goals of the Political Academy is to allow their gradual generational rejuvenation.
The program of the Political Academy is designed to cover various topics and features lecturers who are relevant experts from the region. The Program comprises the following topics:
- Political and legal status of Serbs in Croatia
- Identity and history of Serbs in Croatia
- Visit to Jasenovac and other relevant localities
- Elections, representation, and activity within institutions
- Activity within the community
- Project-planning and managing projects, drawing finances from the EU funds, financing and work of local community, protection of personal data
- Role of media and modalities of media presentations
- Serbs in Croatia in relation to the EU and Serbia
Educational program also encompasses discussions and workshops through which we are trying to induce critical thinking and secure the social component necessary for the active participation in public life. The SNV’s Political Academy is also designed as a place where students from different parts of Croatia and the region can meet and network.
The success of the current program has been the basis for the program of the Regional academy Minority Integration Network (MINTEGNET). MINTEGNET has been realised in cooperation with the school for journalists from Novi Sad and its primary purpose is education and professional training for representatives of minority communities from the area of the former Yugoslavia. Representatives of the Croatian minority in Serbia (Vojvodina) and Serbs from Croatia participated in this program.
The Political Academy’s Advanced Program is intended, among other, for Serb representatives in local and regional governments. By participating in advanced educational programs, minority representatives are given an opportunity for further education and specialisation.
Contact
Jelena Nestorović
jelena.nestorovic@snv.hr
