Rising Voices

Radisa Pavlovic is head of Workers Resistance, an organization representing labor from local factories, including former employees of Zastava car maker company and other laid off individuals. As the process of transition continues, the number of those who can't find job grows, here in central Serbia. This people need voice, at least. I decided to apply for Rising Voices grant in September to provide education, motivation and technology to individuals in need, so they can go online, tell their stories, establish contacts with some international organizations and maybe even get help. If nothing else, I am sure they will get moral support from communities of blogers and news media from everywhere around the globe. They can share facts about corrupt privatization in Serbia, describe the way state treats them and talk about their human rights issues. Masess of people in their fifties are on the street, after long careers in local companies. Think about how they feel, as they have no possibility to get employment again, because only young work force is needed. On the other hand, they don't have enought years of work for pension.

The other field of RV work is Kosovo and Metohia question. Picture below shows Serb and Albanian youth talking how to connect and overcome difficulties that were created during centuries of hostility in southern province. I strongly believe young activist can make a difference. We need to come close, and do our best to boost economy. We would all love to live better and enter the EU. Why should we make conflicts and disagreement, when we can bond and interact. Young people who visited their Albanian counterparts in city of Pec kicked off the wave of understanding and talk. Next step further is Albanians visiting Belgrade. I want to encourage both refugees from Kosovo and Metohia, who live in Serbia and Albanians, to highlight their perspectives with positive and human elements. I want them to write about their neighbors. The initiative could help some of them get back to their homeland and make us all closer.