Korak bliže Evropskoj uniji/One Step Closer to the European Union

Zakon o zabrani diskriminacije Korak bliže Evropskoj uniji U konačnoj verziji, sporni član 21 glasi: "Seksualna orijentacija je privatna stvar i niko ne može biti pozvan da se javno izjasni o svojoj seksualnoj orijentaciji. Svako ima pravo na slobodu izražavanja svoje seksualne orijentacije, a diskriminatorsko postupanje zbog izražavanja seksualne orijentacije je zabranjeno". Kolika je ovo pitanje sporno dokazuje i činjenica da nema pouzdanih istraživačkih podataka o broju homoseksualno orijentisanih ljudi u Srbiji, a procene idu u rasponu od 5 do 35 % Piše MILENA STOŠIĆ Niš, SRBIJA Pre samo deset godina građani Srbije krili su se po podrumima i skloništima i bežali od NATO bombi, izolovani od ostatka Evrope i sveta. Danas Srbija najzad ispunjava i poslednji pravni uslov za stavljanje na belu šengen listu, kao jedan u nizu koraka ka EU - usvojen je Zakon o zabrani diskriminacije. Nakon prezentovanja predloga zakona stigle su primedbe tradicionalnih crkava i verskih zajednica na pojedine članove, zbog čega je akt 4. marta povučen na doradu. Medijska halabuka potrajala je dvadesetak dana, ali je zakon ipak izglasan u Skupštini Srbije 26. marta sa 127 glasova "za" (od 250). Iako građani Srbije smatraju da je stavljanje na belu šengen listu značajno za našu zemlju (87%), a usklađivanje zakonodavstva sa evropskim neophodan je uslov za ulazak u EU, ne može se nikako reći da je usvajanje ovog zakona prošlo glatko, bez protesta i preispitivanja - koja je i kolika cena ulaska u EU. Teško do Zakona Predlog zakona o zabrani diskriminacije izradili su stručnjaci iz nevladinog, civilnog i akademskog sektora, uz podršku Ministarstva rada i socijalne politike i Programa UN za razvoj (UNDP), kao i uz pomoć delegacije Evropske Komisije u Beogradu. Nacrt ovog zakona u decembru 2007. godine dobio je veoma povoljno mišljenje Venecijanske komisije Saveta Evrope, a javna rasprava održana je tokom novembra i decembra 2008. u više gradova Srbije. U izveštaju Evropske Komisije za 2008. godinu navodi se da u praksi još uvek postoji široko rasprostranjena diskriminacija. Tradicionalne crkve i verske zajednice istakle su, iznoseći svoje primedbe na predlog zakona, da nisu bile pozvane na javnu raspravu. U njihovom saopštenju navodi se da sporni predlog garantuje pravo na slobodu javnog izražavanja seksualne orijentacije, a da tako nešto ne postoji ni u jednom međunarodnom ugovoru o zabrani diskriminacije, ni u jednoj evropskoj direktivi, ni u jednom relevantnom evropskom ili svetskom zakonodavstvu. Boris Milićević, predsednik GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) smatra da su tradicionalne crkve i verske zajednice imale prilike da učestvuju u javnoj raspravi, ali su one to izbegavale - "baš zato što ne prihvataju protivargumente. One su, zajedno sa desničarskim organizacijama, suštinski protiv koncepta jednakosti svih građana". U već pomenutom saopštenju, tradicionalne crkve i verske zajednice ogradile su se od sadejstva sa bilo kojom političkom strankom. Nakon povlačenja predloga ovog zakona GSA je objavila apel 91 nevladine organizacije za vraćanjem i usvajanjem zakona u neizmenjenom obliku. "I Evropska unija, i Savet Evrope, i Ujedinjene nacije i Evropska komisija eksplicitno su zahtevali od Srbije da u najskorije vreme donese sveobuhvatan antidiskriminacioni zakon, posebno navodeći Rome, nacionalne manjine, male verske zajednice, hendikepirane i LGBT populaciju (lezbejke, gej, biseksualne i transrodne osobe) kao grupe koje moraju biti zaštićene ovim zakonom", objašnjava za WAVE magazine Boris Milićević. Jedna od izmena koju su predložile tradicionalne crkve i verske zajednice sastojala se u brisanju dela - "svako ima pravo na slobodu izražavanja svoje seksualne orijentacije". U obrazloženju se kaže da ne vređa moral i verska uverenja sama seksualna orijentacija, već njeno javno izražavanje, kao i da sloboda izražavanja nije garancija slobode. Zanimljivo je da se u obrazloženju ne govori o homoseksualnoj ili "posebnoj", već o seksualnoj orijentaciji uopšte. Spec. med. psihologije Miroslava Vuković iz Savetovališta za seksualnu orijentaciju Zavoda za zdravstvenu zaštitu studenata Beograd, objašnjava za WAVE magazine da je "stav crkve i nauke o brojnim pitanjima različit, ne samo kada je reč o homoseksualnosti već generalno, a posebno kada su u pitanju seksualnost, odnosno seksualno ponašanje ljudi". Taj stav vezuje se u principu za zabranu predbračne i vanbračne seksualne aktivnosti, korišćenje kontracepcije, abortusu... Prema popisu Republičkog zavoda za statistiku iz 2002. godine, čak 7.123.611 građana Srbije, od 7.498.001 popisanih, izjasnilo se kao vernici. Postavlja se pitanje da li zaista svi oni poštuju seksualnu apstinenciju i ostale stavove crkava. S druge strane, 60% građana smatra da je crkva u pravu što osuđuje pojavu homoseksualnosti (prema istraživanju CeSID-a iz februara i marta 2008). Javna ili tajna orijentacija Mišljenja stručnjaka - psihologa i psihijatara o adekvatnosti upotrebe reči "orijentacija" u sintagmi seksualna orijentacija podeljena su. Neosporno je da ima onih koji smatraju da je homoseksualnost poremećaj polnog nagona, a kada je reč o građanima Srbije njih čak 70% slaže se sa tvrdnjom da je to bolest (prema istraživanju CeSID-a). Možda je razlog za takav stav i u tome što se tek skoro pojavilo saopštenje gde se homoseksualnost kao bolest negira: "Srpsko lekarsko društvo je 2008. godine, a na inicijativu Labrisa - Organizacije za lezbejska ljudska prava, izdalo saopštenje u kome se potvrđuje ovakav stručni stav", kaže Miroslava Vuković. Takođe, Boris Milićević podseća da je "homoseksualnost u Srbiji dekriminalizovana (1994.) i depatologizovana (istovremeno kada i Svetska zdravstvena organizacija 1990.)", što će reći još i pre početka procesa integracije Srbije u EU. Istraživanje CeSID-a pokazuje i da građani ne bi voleli / želeli: da su u srodstvu sa osobom homoseksualnih sklonosti, da se sa takvom osobom druže ili posećuju, da takva osoba ima rukovodeći položaj u državi i da im bude šef na poslu. Čak 75% ispitanika ne želi da takva osoba bude vaspitač / nastavnik njihovoj deci. Logično je onda zaključiti i da teško da ima roditelja kome bi bilo svejedno da se njegovo dete izjasni kao LGBT osoba. Kada je reč o broju homoseksualno orijentisanih ljudi u Srbiji danas - nema pouzdanih istraživačkih podataka, a procene idu u rasponu od 5 do 35%. "Prema procenama nekih NVO koje se bave pravima osoba neheteroseksualne orijentacije, u Srbiji ima 600-700.000 homoseksualnih osoba. Prema vrlo obuhvatnom istraživanju o zdravstvenom ponašanju srednjoškolske i studentske omladine (uzorak 5.385 studenata oba pola, iz svih univerzitetskih centara u Srbiji), u kome je učestvovala i naša ustanova, 2000. godine se kao heteroseksualno opredelilo 76,08% studenata, homoseksualno 1,21%, biseksualno - 4,03%, a 9,17% je izjavilo da nije sigurno u pogledu svoje seksualne orijentacije", navodi Miroslava Vuković. Na putu ka belom šengenu Cela priča oko Zakona o zabrani diskriminacije odigrala se veoma brzo. Verzija koja je na kraju usvojena kaže da se diskriminacijom neće smatrati postupanje sveštenika i verskih službenika u skladu sa njihovim uverenjima i zakonom. Izbrisan je stav koji se odnosi na transseksualce i konačno, član 21 oko koga se i najviše diskutovalo, sada glasi: "Seksualna orijentacija je privatna stvar i niko ne može biti pozvan da se javno izjasni o svojoj seksualnoj orijentaciji. Svako ima pravo na slobodu izražavanja svoje seksualne orijentacije, a diskriminatorsko postupanje zbog izražavanja seksualne orijentacije je zabranjeno." Kazne koje predviđa ovaj zakon kreću se od 5.000 do 100.000 dinara. Kakvi će biti efekti i koliko će ko biti zadovoljan ishodom, tek će se pokazati kroz praksu i primenu ovog pravnog akta. S obzirom da je zakon ipak usvojen i put ka belom šengenu prokrčen, možemo pretpostaviti da je i put Srbije ka Evropskoj uniji kraći za jedan korak, i to ne samo u smislu legislativa, već i u svesti ljudi o tome ko smo, gde smo i kuda idemo. (Objavljeno: 15.04.2009.) Anti-Discrimination Law One Step Closer to the European Union The final version of the article 21, which has caused most controversy, states: "Sexual orientation is a private matter and no one may be asked to publicly declare their sexual orientation. Everyone has the right to freely declare their sexual orientation, and discrimination against such declaration is prohibited". Even the fact that there are no reliable data that show the number of homosexually oriented people in Serbia, with the estimates ranging from 5 to 35 per cent, proves this to be a debatable question By MILENA STOŠIĆ from Niš, SERBIA Just 10 years ago people in Serbia hid in basements and bomb shelters, running away from NATO bombs, isolated from the rest of Europe and the world. Today, Serbia finally fulfills the last legal prerequisite to be put on the white Schengen list, as one of a number of steps towards the European Union - the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination has been passed. After the presentation of the bill, a number of objections have been made by traditional churches and religious communities. Consequently, on March 4, the bill was withdrawn for final changes. Media frenzy went on for about 20 days, however, the Parliament passed the law on March 26, with 127 (out of 250) members voting "for" it. Even though Serbian citizens think it important for Serbia to be put on the white Schengen list (87% of them), and the alignment of Serbian legislation with that of the European Union is a necessary requirement for its joining the EU, it can by no means be said that everything went smoothly, without any protestations or reexaminations of the question-at what price should we join the EU? A Long Road to the Law The bill on the prohibition of discrimination was written by experts from the non-governmental, civil and academic fields, with the support from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also with the aid from the European Commission's delegation in Belgrade. In December 2007, the Venice Commission of the European Council gave a very favourable opinion on the draft of this law, with the public debates taking place throughout November and December 2008 in a number of Serbian cities. The European Commission's report for 2008 confirmed an existing widespread discrimination. Traditional churches and religious communities have stressed, making their objections to the bill, that they have not been invited to a public debate. Their announcement states that the controversial bill guarantees the right to one's freedom to publicly express one's sexual orientation, however, it is stated, a thing like that does not exist in any of the international accords on the prohibition of discrimination, in any of the European directives, or in any relevant European or world legislations. Boris Milićević, the president of GSA (the Gay-Straight Alliance), finds that traditional churches and religious communities have had a chance to participate in open debates but have been evading them - "precisely because they don't accept counter-arguments. Alongside right wing organizations, they are essentially against the concept of equality for all citizens". In the afore-mentioned announcement traditional churches and religious communities have dissociated themselves from any political parties. After the withdrawal of the bill the GSA has proclaimed appeals from 91 non-governmental organizations demanding that the law be reinstated and passed in its original form. "Everyone, including the European Union, the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the European Commission, have explicitly demanded that Serbia should pass a comprehensive anti-discrimination law at the shortest possible time, especially mentioning the Roma people, ethnic minorities, small religious communities, the disabled and the LGBT population (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people) as groups which must be protected by this law", explains Boris Milićević for Wave magazine. One of the amendments suggested by traditional churches and religious communities has been to delete the part which says - "everyone has the right to freely declare their sexual orientation". They explain that the sexual orientation in itself is not an affront to moral or religious convictions, but its public declaration is. It is also stated that the freedom to declare one's sexual orientation is not a guarantee of freedom itself. What is interesting is that they do not talk about homosexual or "different" orientation in their announcement, but about sexual orientation in general. A specialist in clinical psychology, Miroslava Vuković, who works as a counsellor for sexual orientation at the Student Policlinic in Belgrade, explains for Wave magazine that "Church and science have different positions regarding numerous issues not just homosexuality, however, they are particularly dissimilar when it comes to sexuality and people's sexual behaviour". Church's position refers to the prohibition of pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity, birth control, abortion and so on. According to the Census conducted by the Serbian Institute for Statistics in 2002, as much as 7,123,611 out of 7,498,001 enlisted citizens declared themselves as believers. The question is whether they really abide by sexual abstinence and other positions of the church. On the other hand, 60% of citizens think that Church is right to condemn homosexuality (according to CeSID's polls dating from February and March 2008). Public or Secret Orientation Experts - psychologists and psychiatrists differ on the question of the adequacy of the word "orientation" when used in a noun phrase sexual orientation. Undoubtedly, there are those who consider homosexuality a disorder in the sex drive, and as much as 70% of Serbian citizens think it a disease (according to CeSID's polls). A cause for such a position may be in the fact that the announcement, denying the opinion that homosexuality is a disease, has appeared only recently: "In 2008, the Serbian Medical Society, at the initiative from Labris - an organization which deals with human rights for the lesbians, issued an announcement in confirmation of this expert opinion", says Miroslava Vuković. In addition, Boris Milićević reminds that "homosexuality in Serbia is decriminalized (1994) and depathologized (simultaneously as the World Health Organization, 1990)", even before Serbia has begun the process of integration into the EU. Polls conducted by CeSID also show that people would not want to be related to a homosexual person, would not want to socialize with such a person, would not want such a person to have a managerial position in the state or be their superior at work. As much as 75% of examinees would not want a homosexual person to teach their children. It seems that there hardly is a parent who would not mind if their child declared himself an LGBT person. When it comes to the number of homosexually oriented people in Serbia today - there are no reliable data, with the estimates ranging from 5 to 35%. "According to some estimates given by NGOs which deal with the rights of non-heterosexual people, there are between 600 and 700 thousand homosexuals in Serbia. According to a very comprehensive research on health behaviour of high school and university students (a sample of 5,385 students of both genders, from every university centre in Serbia), with the participation of our institution as well, in 2000, there were 76,08% of heterosexually oriented, 1,21% of homosexually oriented, 4,03% of bisexually oriented students and 9,17% of them stated they were unsure about their sexual orientation", says Miroslava Vuković. On the Way towards the White Schengen The whole story about the anti-discrimination law has occurred pretty fast. The final version, which has been passed in the end, states that the actions by ministers and other religious officials, in line with their convictions and laws, would not be considered discriminatory. The position regarding transsexuals has been deleted and finally, article 21, which has caused most controversy, now states: "Sexual orientation is a private matter and no one may be asked to publicly declare their sexual orientation. Everyone has the right to freely declare their sexual orientation, and discrimination against such declaration is prohibited". Fines envisaged by this law go from 5,000 to 100,000 RSD. The effects and the amount of satisfaction in people with the law are yet to be seen when this legal decision is put into practice and use. Taking into consideration that, in the end, the law has been passed, thus clearing the way towards the white Schengen; one can assume that Serbia is one step closer to the EU, not only when the legislative body is considered but people's consciousness about who they are, where they are and where they are going as well. (Published: 10.04.2009.)

Alternative History of Cultural Awareness

"The Culture Lobby" project

Alternative History of Cultural Awareness

The artists are under the impression that opinions widely differ according to the location of interviewees, and there is also a variety between opinions of certain age groups. The young mostly express hope for studying in EU and the implementation of some European education models at Serbian universities. 'The replies to what would change included a whole list of things, from home pig slaughtering (a ban villagers in Vojvodina are anxious about), to public toilets in Belgrade'


By MILENA STOŠIĆ (milena.stosic@wavemagazine.net)
from Vranje, SRBIJA
Translation: MARIJA KOVAČ


By the means of photographs, audio recordings and surveys, The Culture Lobby project is trying to examine cultural memory in the process of EU integration in the Western Balkans, in the countries yearning to join EU and the question it asks is: 'What do you think will change or disappear in your everyday life when your country joins the European Union?' Two artists from each of the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UN resolution 1244) were to collect the subjective views of citizens in the cities, towns and villages of a participating country that is not their own. The Project Manager is from KIOSK (an NGO based in Belgrade) and it works in cooperation with regional centres for contemporary art. Founders and donors of the programme include British Council Creative Collaboration, Fund for an Open Society (Serbia), European Cultural Foundation and others.

Aleksandar Grozdanovski and Ljupčo Temelkovski, video artists from Bitola (Macedonia), conducted a 16-day research in Serbia, the result of which will be presented on the internet as an e-book, an interactive exhibition and a GPS map, with which viewers will be able to take the cultural journey through the region.

- This is an experiment, a creative process. We are creating an alternative history of cultural awareness at this time, and that is something that has never been done, never like this - explained for WAVE magazine Aleksandar Grozdanovski on the 15th day of his research, in Vranje.

- Our tour has included 13 towns in Serbia, namely Subotica, Belgrade, Vršac, Plandište, Loznica, Užice, Novi Sad, Novi Pazar, Niš, Bor, Jagodina, Vranje and Bujanovac. The interviewees were either random passengers in the street or somebody local cordinators suggested. There are usually 5 to 10 interviews in each town and they are people form different walks of life (from farmers to intellectuals) - says Grozdanovski. This kind of data selection is not typical of standard public surveys, but is certainly says a lot about what people in these countries know and think about EU and what a potential EU membership would mean to them on a more personal level.

- I have a very high opinion about this project because there is not usually anything like this. Replies clearly show how much people actually think about EU. We had some completely unrealistic answers in which you could see the people expect an utter financial rebirth of their countries when they enter EU. Some chatted for half an hour on the subject. In the end we will choose two, maybe three sentences to go with each picture, and the audio recording will be available as well. GPS coordinates will tell you exactly were the photos were taken or interviews made - stated Ljupčo Temelkovski. Personally, he had an impression that people in some parts of Serbia were not well informed about EU and its importance to Serbia or themselves.

- Many people could not care less for EU because they are fighting on daily basis to survive. They don't think that EU membership is likely, either. Deep depression has taken over Bor, for example, and it is seems that people there live in a (black) dimension of their own.

Grozdanovski also feels that people lack the information, but they are mostly communicative and willing to talk.

- We haven't had any problems, apart from Jagodina and Vranje,where some people didn't know what to say and others chose to stay anonymous.

The artists are under the impression that opinions widely differ according to the location of interviews, and there is also a variety between opinions of certain age groups. The young mostly express hope for studying in EU and the implementation of some European education models at Serbian universities.

- The replies to what would change included a whole list of things, from home pig slaughtering (a ban villagers in Vojvodina are anxious about), to public toilets in Belgrade. The whole tour was very interesting. I wish we stayed in Novi Pazar a day longer - says Grozdanovski.

Temelkovski adds that what makes Novi Pazar interesting is its large muslim population. 'The people are in the textile business there and they often mentioned how the market would expend and that would enable them to sell their products better.'

This research has some interesing , suprising and opposing findings, even in Serbia exclusively. Combined with what Albanians filmed in Macedonia, Serbs in Kosovo, Croats in Montenegro, Montenigrins in Bosnia nad Bosnians in Albania, the artistic outcome will without a doubt be very informative.

- The result is unpredictable because the artists involved have different styles. A lot of material will have to be made a whole. The final exhibition will travel through the Balkans, then on to Europe and on, and on - concludes Grozdanovski.

Link: www.theculturelobby.com


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 11.11.2009.)

Friendship even when you lose

Interview: Mallory de la Villemarque, kiteboarder

Friendship even when you lose

I remember when I was living in Costa Rica (for three years), I started to surf as there wasn't wind in this place so we had to quit windsurfing, and once I was in one of the best known spots of the country (playa hermosa). There were perfect waves and hundreds of surfers catching them and I was waiting in the water together with my brother when we saw a crocodile swimming just about 2-3 meters from us and we went out of the sea like crazy...


By MILENA STOŠIĆ
from Niš, SERBIA


Mallory de la Villemarque started with sailing boats and windsurfing in Guadelupe at the age of 7. Later he moved to Tarifa, one of the best places for this kind of sport, where international riders meet. Thanks to hard trainings and great love for kiteboarding, Mallory reached numerous high results in his career. Since this year he is planing to combine his involvement in kiteboarding with studies, too. This 22-years-old young man, who traveled all around the world to compete, speaks for WAVE magazine about his sport, beginings, competitions, rivality, about success and future plans.

- My dad used to compete in sailing boats and my brother and me started wind surfing at the age of 7. Kiting is quite new sport, so there were not so many adepts when I started. I was lucky to be in the right place and to find my first sponsor. In one of my first world championship competitions, the team manager Jaime Herraiz, a pro kiter by this time, saw me doing good in Brazil and he liked it. I already was in the brand, but just with the shop. Since that moment I entered the team, first national and then international. Since then, I am with North kiteboarding, which is the biggest brand, more or less, as they treat me really well and we work good together. It starts with loads of passion and ambition. When you have that and keep having fun and enjoying every time you learn new tricks, and if you like to compete - good results comes alone - explains his begining Mallory.

How difficult it is to dedicate to this sport?

The kiting takes much time, as it's not only about riding, but training also, keep in contact with photographers, cameras and sponsors; it's about trips, development of the material, meetings... It's like beeing your own agent. And at certain level you need loads of training and motivation.

Is this sport dangerous and tricks that you do? How often are injuries?

We have quite more injuries lately, because the sport became a bit more hardcore in a way that the last tendency is newschool based on powered tricks, pretty much like wakeboarding, so we are starting to see some injuries: knee, ankle, shoulder... So, we start to train in order to avoid them. The main tricks are handle passes. It consist in passing the bar in or back from one hand to the other, so it means when unhook (we hold the kite with the power of our arms and not the harness anymore) jump and pass the bar so it needs some strength and technic. We have plenty of variations of handlepasses. Anyway, kiteboarding is better to me than wakeboarding because we can do many different things, we are not behind a boat, we can jump high, ride waves, take the board off our feet...

What about rivality in kiteboarding?

In competition you'll always find some unpleasant people, but in general we don't have it so much. Even if some pressure, sometimes it's just a bit of tension. I have never seen a fight in kiting.

You had many great results - twice French champion, European junior champion, Vice World junior champion, many great results as a senior. Which one is particularly special for you?

I remember the competition of Cabarete, one step from the world championship, where I did my first podium in freestyle - 3rd. This was hard, loads of emotions and I was damn happy to be up there... Really exciting moments when I think about it. I had a heat for the 4th position against my friend and I won. It was really hard, and stressful for both of us. I was even sad to win against him and then when I won the next heat he came to say congrats. So there is friendship even when you lose. And this feels just great. Also, it was amazing when i got my first pro model from North Kiteboarding - Mallory pro. This was one of my biggest goals when I was a kid and looking at all these surf and windsurf magazines. I wanted so much to have a board with my name on it, just like pro riders in magazines. And i finally had it in 2008.

You've been all around the world to compete?

Yes, that is part of the job I like the most. I have been in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, most countries of Europe (France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, England...), Mauritius, USA, Canada. I remember when I was living in Costa Rica (for three years) I started to surf as there wasn't wind in this place so we had to quit windsurfing. Once I was in one of the best known spots of the country (playa hermosa), there were perfect waves and hundreds of surfers catching them and I was waiting in the water together with my brother when we saw a crocodile swimming just about 2-3 meters from us and we went out of the sea like crazy... Egypt has been the most easthern part I've been in the world, so I'd like to visit Asian countries (Philippines is planned already for this winter) and maybe Western Balcans, too. I'd also like to go to Australia, Tahiti would be my No.1 (fighting with the Maldives!!!).

So, after all those trips, how Tarifa looks like to you now?

Tarifa is really the Mecca of kiteboarding and windsurfing in Europe. It is perfect place for training and the place itself, it's beautiful. There are all kind of conditions during the whole year - different winds, spots, a lot of wind. If you come in summer you'll be amazed how many kites are there.

Nevertheless you will move to Nice?

Yes. I will be studying in Nice for 2 years and then i'll do two more in Hawaii. After a gap of 4 years of competitons and traveling, I decided to start again, as I want to do something new, but combined with sport. It's sport management and I think that this school will be the best for me and my kiting career. It was a big decision for me to decide to study and to change my hometown. Good thing is that I'm going to Nice with my girlfriend.

Is she in sports, too?

She does kite. She's German form Munich and she use to compete in athletics, but not anymore. She was on Erasmus in Spain, near Tarifa and we met on the beach two years ago. Actually, my boss sent me a wetsuit for a girl, a friend of his and when i gave it to her that's how all started. Thanks to an ION wetsuit.

What would be your advice for youngsters interested in this sports?

If they really have the dream to become a pro rider or to compete and do this sport life - for sure never leave it, keep going for it and things will come slowly to you. But on the other side : I would say to at least finish the bachelor and if you have to stop for some years just come back, because you'll need it. I would never change my experience and decision but I was aware that at some point you have to start again.

If you want to do kiteboarding and to compete you need to be a part of a club and federated, and if you are really into this you need to find sponsor as well. One board can cost you, depending on the brand, around 500-700 euros, but you can earn much more. Not many people become pro and obviously this sport ask sacrificing but according to Mallory - it can bring lots of happiness and fun to one who is truly devoted and interested in it. Despite all his successes and experience Mallory's main values are to "stay humble, be openminded and friendly to the people". - That's what i try to do and like to have back from the people".


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 12.09.2009.)

Being a European

European Young Journalist Award, EYJA 2009 - Final Conference

Being a European

"I watched the inauguration of Barrack Obama. That is a creative nation with a strong will. The remaining nations namely China, Russia, India are developing. They are not waiting for Europeans. Time is not on our side, we must speed up" - Dr Jochen Thies


By MILENA STOŠIĆfrom Berlin, GERMANY
(EYJA winner in Serbia)


The final conference for the continental European competition - European Young Journalist Award 2009, which this year is held under the motto, "Enlarge your vision", brought together national winners from 28 European nations in Berlin, from August 29 until September 2. This competition, organized for the second year in a row by the European Commission, the European on-line magazine Café Babel and the organization of young journalists European Youth Press lasted until the May 31, and after that the judges selected the best articles from every country, published in the former period, on the theme of the enlarging and the future of the European Union.

Being in the capital city of Germany, for the young journalists, had an educational and touristic character representing one unforgettable experience. Visits to the German historical museum and the National parliament were organized, there was an opportunity to meet with the representatives of the European comission and associates from the media, as well as an opportunity to get to know the city and its history, on the twentieth anniversary from the fall of the Berlin wall. For the duration of this short award visit, on the September 1st, a series of workshops and the final meeting for the young journalists was held, their older associates, as well as the the representatives of national judges, where many questions of crucial importance for Europe and the expansion of the EU were discussed. All of that exactly on the day when Germany has started the World War II by attacking Poland, and in the year of marking two decades since the fall of the Iron Curtain, as well as five years since the last circle of EU enlargement.

Where does the EU begin and where does the EU end?

Exactly on that symbolic meaning were called upon Matthias Petschke, Head of the Representation of the European Comission in Germany and Gisela Gauggel-Robinson, Head of the Communication Unit, European Comission, DG Enlargement, who opened the final conference with their speeches.

The keynote speech was held by Professor Dr.Dr h.c. Werner Weidenfeld, Director of C.A.P and Professor for Political Science at LMU Munich looking back on the fall of the Iron Curtain, and opening up the question of the future and the difficulty with a single European identity. As the current most pressing problem, Professor Weidenfeld, stated that it is the non-transparancy of the European legislature: "If one is reading some text, for example the The Treaty of Lisbon, one can see how difficult it is to understand." He also stated that European integrations should be more transparent, that security must be strengthened, especially underlining the neccessity of the strategic partnership (with UN, China, India, Rusia...) - "Europe must develop as a strategic community."

Throughout the conference two panel discussions were also held. The first had for its theme, again in the spirit of the 20 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the question - has the integration of the Central and Southern European nations in the EU changed the face of the Old continent and in what way?

"Identity can be a main problem. Where does the EU begin and where does it end?" began the discussion Karl de Meyer - Les Echoes, France. Dr Jochen Thies - Deutschlandradio, Germany added to that the importance of the question of security and that of a defensive identity. He stated that Europe must develop a defensive identity and a European army: "The Economic Crisis has shed light on the European deficits. In the next 10 years this will be of significant importance."

The participants in this panel discussion - Dr. des.Andrea Despot, Seminar Director of the European Academy Berlin, already mentioned Karl de Meyer and Dr Jochen Thies, and Piotr Jendroszczyk - Rzeczpospolita tbc, Poland, concluded that within the EU and the politics of expansion there is still disagreement, beginning with the creation of a single army, to the problems of economic nature and the position of the older EU member states that frequently take their membership for granted, to the instability of the Balkan region and the impact of the remaining continents.

"If the Iron Curtain no longer exists materially, that does not mean that Europe is united and that there are no problems. As well, it is important to promote qualities like solidarity. There exists a desire from Eastern European towards greater understanding from the West," explained Piotr Jendroszczyk. Besides that he also expressed sorrow mainly for the reason that the EU did not manage to stop the war battles of the Balkans.

When the word is about the influence of the remaining world powers and the future tendencies Dr Jochen Thies believes that USA will be the leading country: "I watched the inauguration of Barrack Obama. That is a creative nation with a strong will. The remaining nations namely China, Russia, India are developing. They are not waiting for Europeans. Time is not on our side, we must speed up. The locomotive needs steam." He turned on the attention of the status of Turkey, who has been a candidate for EU membership over the last ten years, and on the opening question to what extent is this country genuinely similar to the remainder of Europe: "Can Turkey really be the bridge towards the Middle East? I really do not see it", he said. The question of Turkey's prospects in relation to the EU was discussed in detail on one of the two workshops that were held concurrently.

Does the wind of change still blow?

The second workshop dealt with the European prospects in relation to the Western Balkans - a political and technical term developed to include six countries of the former Yugoslavia and Albania. This seminar was led by the representatives of the Serbian and Croatian Embassies in Berlin - Milan Gojković and Silvio Kus, as well as Professor Miroljub Radojković from Belgrade Faculty of Political Sciences. Taking into consideration the instability of this region and the numerous problems - economic, then unfinished democratic, the large risk of the corruption of the political elite, the belittling of the governmental laws and the frequent misuse of multi-ethnicity, tradition and religion, Professor Radojković opened the discussion with the question if the wind of change still blows.

During the workshop it was confirmed that with diverse well reasoned arguments (security and economic reasons, the strengthening of the reform processes, securing the political base for the development of the society, the civilization of the region and the promotion of the EU values, opening perspectives for the younger generations...), what is the two-sided benefit of the inclusion of the countries from the Western Balkans in the European Union. Croatia seems as the closest to the final goal in this process, and Serbia would either way have benefit from Croatia's inclusion in the EU, contrary to large disagreement in the past.

As Silvio Kus stated, in Croatia the traditional system had to undergoe numerous changes in order to accept aqui communitaire: "We still have to lower the number of courts in Croatia and we have to co-operate with the Hauge tribunal. A lot still has to be done on the support for the public." As far as Serbia, Montenegro (potential candidates) and Macedonia (candidate for EU membership) are concerned, these countries will be on the White Schengen list from January the following year, which is a huge step forward.

"We in Serbia support the elimination of visas for Bosnia and Hercegovina and Albania, as well," stated Professor Radojković. It seems that the participants of the workshop were most interested in the status of Kosovo and the relation of Serbia with the one-sided proclamation of independence. Milan Gojković offered the official standing of the government as a speech on this question, stating that Serbia insisted on that, that Kosovo in relation to international laws is a part of Serbia and that independence is unacceptable. "A lot of international emotion is tied to Kosovo," he added. Unfortunately, the time limit did not allow a longer and more in-depth discussion on this theme, but one general optimistic perspective of this region could be concluded, as well as the strong tendency that it can part with the unproductive stagnation in the past.

Is there life after death?

During the final phase of the conference, the second panel discussion was held under the title The Enlarging of the EU and the Future Perspectives, on which the representatives of the media participated - Ljubica Gojgić (B92, Serbia), Leyla Tavsanoglu (Cumhuriyet, Turkey) and Željko Ivanović (Vijesti, Montenegro) and the moderator Dr Dušan Reljić (Senior Research Associate, EU Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, German Insititute for International and Security Affairs), who began the discussion with the question - Is there life after death? - addressing the EU.

"The European Union is the best thing that happened to Europe. Without the EU stability is possible, but the EU is the best solution for us. It is worth the invested energy into this project," stated Ljubica Gojgić. She also noticed the similarities between Belgrade and Berlin mentioning that the next year is the fall of another wall - the wall of sanctions in Serbia that has stood strongly over the last 20 years. On this panel discussion for the very first time during the day was the interest of the US in this area mentioned, on which Ljubica Gojgić and Željko Ivanović debated. They underlined that the USA has a strong interest in the continued conflict and that it is actually Washington that is the main master of the conflict.

When the word is about the Balkans, Ljubica Gojgić concluded with sorrow that Europe did not greatly bring stability to the Balkan region. The panel also dealt with the relationship between the media and the political themes and democracy. "The media is very important for national and international relations. That is why the independence of the media is very important," pointed out Leyla Tavsanoglu, adding that a country that does not have independent and free media cannot be called a democracy, and she criticized the state of Turkey in this context.

EU is not Europe, EU is Only a Part of It

During the day an interesting question was presented by Christian De Bruyne, European Commission Representation and Member of Belgium National Jury, addressing those present coming from countries of non-EU states, more specifically towards Serbs. The question was posed - Do you feel like Europeans? Do you present yourselves as Europeans? After that followed the thinking what has precedence, being European or a representative of some nation. The question provoked more answers which poured into one - of course we feel like Europeans! Because Serbia is a part of Europe. Also like one of the present mentioned that EU is not Europe, EU is only a part of it. As Professor Weidenfeld stated at the beginning of the day in his speech: "It is important how one feels." For example, he mentioned that Serbs (!) can feel more European, than Bulgarians who are already in the EU.

The conference ended in the late evening hours, and after that same night the winners were awarded certificates with the logo of the European Young Journalists Award with the signature of the Commissioner for the Enlargement of the EU, Olli Rehn.


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 12.09.2009.)

Publication of European houses

Link to publication of European houses

by Milena Stošić

"Enlarge your vision"

European Young Journalist Award 2009

"Enlarge your vision"

Among 600 articles arrived from all over Europe, national juries have decided about winners according to importance of information, originality of approach, journalistic style and quality of writing, as well as possibility to keep attention of readers and efforts invested in preparing article


By WAVE Team
from Belgrade, SERBIA


The 35 national winners (out of 600 articles) of the 2009 European Young Journalist Award are invited from August 29 to September 2, to a cultural and historical trip to Berlin. Among them there is a Serbian winner Milena Stošić, a journalist of WAVE magazine, awarded for the article "Europe on the south of Serbia", published in our April issue.

The winning articles and radio pieces will be published on the competition website and in a booklet also. At the end of the trip the winners will be able to meet EU representatives, politicians, ambassadors and professional journalists.

Project

European Young Journalist Award, a pan-European competition for young journalists, is a project of The Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement, in cooperation with the European Youth Press association and Café Babel, European online magazine. This year Europe celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the iron curtain and the 5th anniversary of the accession to the EU of eight Central and Eastern European countries, as well as Malta and Cyprus. These anniversaries offered a special incentive for aspiring or professional journalists from all over Europe to reflect and express their views on the enlargement of the European Union.

Following the success of last year's competition, the European Commission has offered an opportunity to more young journalists to show case their talent. In addition to written online or print articles, the 2009 award was also open to radio journalists.

The competition was open from the 1 February until the 31st of May 2009. The topic of all applications for all categories had to refer to the EU enlargement and / or the future vision of Europe. Participants were age between 17-35, and they had to come from an EU member states, a candidate or a potential candidate country (Western Balkans and Turkey).

On the occasion of the launch of the competition Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Enlargement said: "I welcome the second edition of this competition and look forward to reading and listening to the views of young journalists throughout Europe. Young people are important opinion leaders for their generation and the competition gives them an opportunity to share their experiences and visions of our European future."

WAVE journalist as a Serbian Winner

Among 600 articles arrived from all over Europe, national juries have decided about winners according to importance of information, originality of approach, journalistic style and quality of writing, as well as possibility to keep attention of readers and efforts invested in preparing article.

Members of Serbian jury were professor Miroljub Radojković -Faculty of Political Sciences, department of journalism, Đorđe Vlajić - journalist of BBC Serbian and Tanja Miščević - professor of Faculty of political sciences and ex-CEO of EU integrations Office. They have proclaimed Milena Stošić, a journalist of WAVE magazine, as a national winner in Serbia. Her article "Europe on the south of Serbia" was published in our magazine in April issue. In this way jury has recognized importance of eurointegrations in less developed part of Serbia, importance of decentralization and stimulating community to popularize European values.

"I consider this award my great personal success, but also a great win for WAVE magazine and I am glad to contribute in this way to spreading idea of European houses", says Serbian winner. "Southern Serbia really is a very passive region of the country and European houses are positive attempt to enlighten the process of European integrations. Also they are very useful and helpful to youth, talking about informing and possibilities of education, students exchanges, travelling to EU and expressing opinions and debating about anything that joining EU can bring with itself. By awarding this topic it is clearly recognized the importance of institutions like this one, but also need for further stimulation in this part of the country where many of young people still go away because of lack of positive perspectives", concluded Milena.

Looking forward to Berlin

"I am very happy about the award because I am still a student and not yet a full-time journalist. The award shows me that I am on the right way. In Berlin we will have the possibility to enlarge our perspective on Europe, as there will be journalists from the old, the new and the future member states", explained for WAVE magazine national winner in Germany Kathrin Breer. "I figure that most of the Germans of my age do like the advantages of free travelling, of Erasmus programs and all the convenient aspects the EU offers to them. But very little are really interested in the politics behind all that. I am looking forward to the trip, and I am curious to meet journalists from all different backgrounds and countries, especially from the eastern ones", said Kathrin.

About this contest and idea of united Europe, Austrian national winner Ulla Ebner says for WAVE magazine: "I am very happy with the award!!! I think that united Europe could be a great thing, or let's say it's a necessary thing, because the problems and challenges we are facing at the moment are global. That means, we cannot solve problems like the economic crisis, climate change, the demographic problem, migration etc. on the national level. It's very important to develop strategies together."

Among the winners of European Young Journalist Award 2009 there are no representatives of Montenegro and Macedonia, and Romania has two journalists that equally share this award.


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 20.08.2009.)

10,000 dinars for 10th festival

EXIT 09

10,000 dinars for 10th festival

Transportation, ticket, accommodation in the camp, without including some pocket money, would cost a Serbian visitor 10,000 Serbian dinars at least. In the country where average income is 33,000 dinars per month, this expense is close to luxury, despite the fact that it is very acceptable if one decides to go on a single performance of some artist performing on EXIT


By MILENA STOŠIĆ
from Niš, SERBIA


Lily Allen, Moby, Korn, The Prodigy, Kraftwerk, Sasha, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Eric Prydz are just one of the high-profile performers out of 500 to be performing on 20 different stages during the 10th EXIT - the largest music festival in South-East Europe. This year, EXIT will last from 9th to 12th July, traditionally at Petrovaradin fortress in the city of Novi Sad.

Very big and famous names which have performed on EXIT are the best proof of festival's quality and reputation: Beastie Boys, Groove Armada, Robert Plant, Snoop Dog, Iggy Pop, Massive Attack, Moloko, Cypress Hill, Underworld, Fatboy Slim, The White Stripes, Garbage, Stereo Mc's, Slayer, Rony Size, Manu Chao, N*E*R*D, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Sex Pistols...; world media houses to report about the festival - MTV and BBC; UK Festival Awards in cooperation with Yourope which awarded the EXIT '07 as the best European music festival, also the number of visitors which reached 167,000 last year, from Serbia, the region and even wider. 'State of Exit' aims to open towards the world through many social actions, and campaigns (against human trafficking and racial discrimination and for employing the youth, and environmental protection). EU Commissioner Oli Rehn supported EXIT by attending the festival in 2006.

Expensive prices

Something that is very much discussed in this period of the year amongst young people, especially now in the light of world economic crisis, is the availability of the festival to ones which this festival is dedicated to. This year, the price for a 4-day-ticket is 5,990 dinars if the ticket is bought until 27th of June, and after that, the price is 10,000 dinars for anniversary 10th EXIT (to be precise, it is 9,990 dinars). One-day-tickets can be bought for 3,450 dinars for the first two days of the festival, and 3,990 dinars for the last two days.

Of course, visitors coming to Novi Sad from different places also need an accommodation, which is an additional cost. EXIT camp is the most practical solution, and the price is 2,400 dinars / place. Besides that, EXIT TRIP - the official EXIT tourist service has offered a hostel accommodation in the city, which can cost from 17.80 (for 5 nights) to 22 euros a day per one person. There is also a variety of individual accommodation which price can vary. Strahinja, a guy who works in Exit Accommodation agency (which accommodates the visitors for three years now), says that it is a better idea to find a place to stay via agency, because the safety is guaranteed, in comparison to individual accommodation offers which turned out to have opposite examples.

Despite the great interest of the foreign visitors (especially coming from Great Britain), there are some indications which imply that something is going to be different this year: 'There is a decreased demand of foreign visitor this year. One of the reasons could be the equalization of the pound with euro, which affects their purchase power. Also, one of the factors is the world economic crisis, and the high price of accommodation, which remained the same as last year, without coping with economic situation of the world', says the representative of Exit Accommodation for WAVE magazine.

The price for one day stay at EXIT festival is 25 to 35 euros per day for one person. The transportation organized by EXIT TRIP by bus, car or a train from Belgrade, Budapest and Zagreb to Novi Sad must be also included. Maybe the students are in the best situation, since they have a right for various discounts in bus transportation, or by using EURO 26 tickets in the trains.

Transportation, ticket, accommodation in the camp, without including some pocket money, would cost a Serbian visitor 10,000 Serbian dinars at least. In the country where average income is 33,000 dinars per month, this expense is close to luxury, despite the fact that it is very acceptable if one decides to go to a single performance of some artist performing on EXIT.

Business and pleasure

One of the characteristics of EXIT festival is that it provides many opportunities for employment (bar tenders, racers, promoters, security), which can be a really good way to enter the event.

'I use to work as a security guard last year in the camp. I went there without any idea what to expect, in order to make some money for my summer holiday. Day payment is approximately 20 euros, and the job turned out to be easy and fun', explains Jovana from Niš for WAVE magazine. 'It is an awesome opportunity for meeting all kinds of different people, since the majority of people in the camps are mainly foreigners. In addition to that, you get a free pass for the festival, and I didn't know that until I got there, so this information made me very happy. That is one of the reasons I applied again for the same job.

One more way to 'crash' the festival is to be an activist of some NGO which has its own boot stand on the fortress.

When it comes to competitions, EXIT is famous for organizing creative competitions such as writing texts about the performers, designing the festival T-shirt, making festival video footage by high-school students on YouTube, which gives the competitors the opportunity to win some prizes, and more tickets. EXIT festival also provides the chance for young unknown musicians to apply to the festival and perform.

DJ Igor S (TECH a TECH), who performed last year on Cocta DJ stage, carried over his EXIT experience to WAVE magazine readers: 'The worldwide festival in non-European country! This festival is very much needed, but also inevitably commercialized during the years. I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to be a part of something that big. In the country which has a bad reputation, EXIT is a necessary bright light. I am happy we have it and that it became a Serbian brand."

Exit offers an opportunity to informed, creative people or those who need a job, to visit 'The State of Exit'. The increasing number of visitors every year is a proof that people somehow manage to come and relive the incredible experience over and over again.

See you at EXIT festival!


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 20.06.2009.)

Europe on the south of Serbia

 Winner article for Serbia - European young journalist award "Enlarge your vision" 2009, European Commission, DG Enlargement http://www.eujournalist-award.eu

Project "European houses"

Europe on the south of Serbia

Center for development of civil society "Protecta" from Niš worked up the idea in cooperation with "Media & Reform center" from the same city and "Patriotism" organization from Bulgaria. The "European houses" equipped their offices with in colours of the EU. Each of them has an info corner and a library. This project does not promote the EU, it only supplies people with information so they could see that the EU is a reality, not something abstract


By MILENA STOŠIĆ
 from Niš, SERBIA


Within the project of creating tools for better access to information and understanding the EU integration process better, a "European house" was officially opened in Pirot, on March 27th. It is the third house in south and southeastern Serbia (after Niš and Vranje). Serbian Deputy Prime minister Božidar Đelić and Chief of the EU delegation in Serbia Josep Lloveras proceeded this opening by symbolically revealing a sign at the entrance and taking a joint photo on which the Serbian and the EU flag stand together.

According to Jelena Stevanov from the European integrations Office of the Government of Serbia, the project, which is given by Center for development of civil society "Protecta" from Niš and financed by the EU, gives the opportunity to more citizens from southeastern Serbia, especially young people, to participate in the debate on the EU and European integrations. All of this is brought through information exchange and examples of good practice in this area, which is in connection with the goals that this Office wants to achieve in cooperation with the civil sector. The acting of "Protecta" is recognized as an important factor in spreading the European ideas and values throughout Serbia, especially in south.

Six debates have been held so far, and there are plans to conduct a series of educational and interactive actions, all with the goal to provide better understanding of EU and the process of integration of Serbia in the EU. Project manager Dragan Petković speaks for "WAVE" magazine about the necessity of this idea and about the "European houses":

- I have worked this job for ten years and I am familiar with the people as weel as various institutions from this area. I know that, unfortunately, things happen rarely or never for the past ten years here. There are more than a 100 embassies, cultural centers and a million different institutions in Belgrade, and people can hear different stories and get the right information. It all arrives to us, down south, with a big delay. Usually people from this area go to the capital in order to inform about a scholarship, for example. We want to bring that to this region, show that the south of Serbia has a lot of potential."

When it comes to the level of information about the EU integration, Petković judges that the level is low or even doesn't exist:
- Our journey towards the EU is usually connected only to Kosovo status or the Hague Tribunal. This is doubtlessly a part of the process, but I think that other parts of the story should also be mentioned, such as experiences of other countries surrounding us. Those are stories of people and countries that were in a similar situation as we are in now, with similar problems, and today after all that, they live well and are valuable members of the EU. I think that people here need a window to the world, so they could see that they are not alone, that there are more similar destinies and that there is a better tomorrow very close to us.

What exactly are the "European houses" and what to they look like?

- The "European houses" are becoming some sort of institution and physically have their space, so far only in Niš, Pirot and Vranje. However, the main component is a team of ten young, hardworking, fantastic people who believe in their own work. The idea was born in cooperation with "Media & Reform center" from Niš and "Patriotism" organization from Bulgaria. They are equipped with furniture in colours of the EU and each of them has an info corner and a library where you can find various materials from different domains regarding all the EU countries. Of course, most of the publications are about the process of integration itself. This is not a project that promotes the EU, it only gives the people information about what this means for them in concrete. People will be able to see that the EU is a reality, not something abstract. They will get to know that it is a part of their lives and everyday living!

Our primary target group are young people between the ages of 18 and 30, but everyone is welcome. So far, the debates were organized for students, high schools and institutions.

What are the impressions so far? How do people react to this topic?

- Fantastic! When you hear young people at the age of 15 in Vranje or Pirot asking very mature questions and handling extraordinary discussions, you realize that there is hope. All this country needs are people who use their own heads, not make decisions based on pre-election campaign commercials, no matter what party it is about. Young people in this part of Serbia are in shortage of many things, including information about what the process of European integration brings. If we managed to transfer these sort of information to hundreds of young people, it is a big deal, and I am sure that the results are much bigger than that.

From the coordinator of the "European house" in Niš Jelena Stajković we received the information that besides organizing debates and lectures regarding the topics that the youth shows the most interest for (starting from the prejudices about losing national identity, information about studying possibilities, all the way to explaining the terms and the process of integration), there are also plans for marking out the "European Day" on May the 9th. What are the next activities?

- This project will have an educational campaign with examples and stories from everyday life and other countries that are already members of the EU. There will be various movies, cultural evenings, exhibitions, meetings, activities on the streets, educational shows... lots of things indeed, and people who are interested in participating in our activities and wish to give their contribution in some way, will be able to do that anytime.

Why is the question about the national identity brought up so often when it comes about the European integrations?
National identity is not something given to you by someone. For this reason, I believe that no one can take it from you or destroy it. The best way to lose it is to become poor and helpless and in those moments, the category of identity is the last thing you will be thinking about. If you take a closer look, you will see that the better the country is, the stronger national identity it has. Therefore, I am convinced that with the advancing of country, the national identity will also rise, not fall, because when someone asks where you are from, will you be proud to say that you come from Serbia that is poor and lonesome, or a Serbia that is rich and advanced country.

In the end, the crucial question and the message sent by this project: what does Serbia gain by becoming a member of the EU, and what can the EU get from accepting Serbia?
By becoming a member, Serbia gains a lot. As many people say, it is a rich society, so the fact that we are moving towards the EU path shows that our society is evolving, becoming better, richer, not only in a financial way, but culturally as well. Membership in the EU means, above all, standards and a quality of life for common people. Serbia gains stability, safety, economical prosperity and almost 30 friends. There is no better way to protect your country and your interests than having around you 27 more countries ready to defend mutual interests in every moment. By receiving Serbia, the EU in the first place gains stability and a unified economical market. Many times throughout history it was shown that stable Balkans is very important for stability of the whole Europe. The European idea itself was based on stability, mutual respect and interests, opposite to war and fights between European nations. The EU will also get another country that has a very old tradition and culture".

The "European houses" project, does not have an expiration date and according to the words of interlocutor, when Serbia becomes a member of the EU, it will still have the part of providing information to citizens about their possibilities in frames of the EU - which will be much larger at that time.


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 10.04.2009.)

Life between Air-Raid Sirens

Memories from 1999

Life between Air-Raid Sirens

After some time the whole situation becomes normal. It is normal to hear air raid siren, it is normal to sleep in the basement, it is normal to stay without electricity. So normal to have no freedom to walk around, not to see your friends and not to go to school. But you can't get used so easy to the fear that you feel when the sound of aircraft is coming. Fear of bomb that will fall down on your house, that pieces of shrapnel will fall into your room, that you will stay buried in a basement. Fear of death


By MILENA STOŠIĆ from Niš, SERBIA


At the time of NATO bombing Serbia, I was 12 years old. Just enough for me not to be interested in politics, news and situation in the country. I did not pay any attention to gossips about possible bombing that were hot topic in the school. Something like that seemed to me as impossible and too regressive for the beginning of new millenium. Even when my sisters and me stayed at home instead of going to school on 24th March 1999, it was something cool and not a reason to think about - why didn't we. On that day, my worries were more about whether I am going to celebrate my birthday, in two days.

On that evening we heard air raid sirens for the first time. I remember that some kind of guide was on TV explaining how to make a difference between sounds. Everything happened in just a few minutes. We turned off all the lights, closed the window and ran into the basement. The stairs leading to the basement are very close and meandering. Basement as a basement - keeps the cold. I do not know whether someone else did it, but we put the pots on our heads and lay down. We didn't know what to expect. As for me, at the moment I had scenes from "Diary of Anna Frank" in front of my eyes. Parents were telling us to be quiet. It seems to me that I would stop breathing if I could, just to be silent and so the planes with the bombs do not hear us, don't see us and just go away. Then I was sure there is definitely no celebration of my birthday. When we heard the ending siren, we went out of the basement and then I could breath again.

And that's how our underground life has began. Of course, air danger warning was not for all day long, as far as I remember, but we were sleeping in the basement that was adopted with bed and TV. And we were watching news all the time. Windows were marked. We had candles in case of no electricity, flashlights, and we had to make some food supplies. Our only space was our backyard and sometimes we could go to the market. We have learned another new word - pieces of shrapnel. When there was no air danger warning threat was not so scary. But when the sound of the aircraft was heard the fear was coming into whole body. Then we could only stay in the basement or cover ourselves with the blanket and stick together. From time to time, the sound would be stronger as the aircrafts are coming closer, and the voice in my head would say - "Go, go, go", and when it was leaving I would be relieved. The worst thing was when you hear the bombs falling somewhere around, when the land is shaking, glass is breaking down, and the heart is beating as you are in 100m race. Our mom would hug us and protect with her body. I was afraid that something could fall down on her. Dad had to be at working place all the time. War.

Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Jacques Shiraque, Slobodan Miloševi? - we have learned all that names. The train with civilians was hit, bridge was fallen down, killed and wounded people. Collateral damage. I wonder if our turning off lights, closing down shuntters and non-breathing was saving us from bombs. Because they were hitting houses, too. And our house is near the Army barracks. And barracks were targets, too. I was hoping there is a piece of true in the movies, that "they" know we are here and they won't crash down our house and leave us down. Or they won't see us at all, if they want to catch us. Because, they were killing children, too.

After some time the whole situation becomes normal. It is normal to hear air raid siren, it is normal to sleep in the basement, it is normal to stay without electricity, normal to have no freedom to walk around, not to see your friends and not to go to school. But you can't get used so easy to the fear that you feel when the sound of aircraft is coming. Fear that the bomb will fall down on your house, that pieces of shrapnel will fall into your room, that you will stay buried in a basement. Fear of death. What to say those who feel that fear.

Eventually, self-defense mechanisms do their job, many things from that period are pushed back. You forget all the scary thoughts that were passing through your head, all the tragic news about victims. The freedom is more worth to you. Darkness and basement and running down the stairs are slightly disapeearing. But - even today, every time the airplanes are flying low - the heart is beating stronger.


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 10.04.2009.)

Spies among us

Protection of confidential information within EU bodies

Spies among us

It seems that out of three most important bodies in charge of political leadership of the European Union only the European Commission has noticed the threat of foreign intelligence agents, although Mr. Kidd says - "as we know the European Council has also sent similar note to its staff." In the interview for WAVE magazine the European Council has negated this statement - "The Council has not sent similar note to its employees. Complete staff should pass security training when entering the institution". As for the European Parliament, according to Marjory van den Broeke's, Head of Press Room Unit in Directorate General for Communication, statement it could be concluded that neither this body has been warning about the risks of espionage: "The European Parliament have no comment on those statements of Belgian authorities and the European Commission"


By MILENA STOŠIĆfrom Niš, SERBIA


In December 2008 the European Commission sent an internal note to its staff in which it warned them about possible security risks. However, that note was also read by many others to whom this note was not allocated, after the information had leaked out to the public thanks to German journalists of Frankfuter Allgemeine Zeitung. In the note the staff was warned about potential spies under the mask of various professions who had access to the European Union institutions in Brussels. "Recent events show that espionage threat is increasing day by day", says Dale Kidd, representative of the European Commission, for WAVE magazine.

The content of this note has been condemned by the journalists of EFJ (European Federation of Journalists) and API (International Press Association), because it also singles journalists out as potential spies. On the behalf of the European Commission Valerie Rampi, Spokesperson, has reported in her statement which will become a headline in many medias: "We are not only pointing the finger at journalists. It could also be a trainee with long-legs and blond hair." But it seems that the Director of the Belgian State Security Service Alain Winans has yet pointed his finger at the members of "the seventh force" - "it's dreadful how many Chinese and Russian (alleged) journalists operate in Brussels using journalism as a mask for their espionage.

Espionage Threat

Dale Kidd has confirmed for WAVE magazine that the European Commission has sent to their people the note in which it warns them of increased risk of espionage: "What would you expect of any large organization which handles confidential and very sensitive information?"

It is said in the note that "hostile intelligence services are making repeated attempts to access the information of the EC using intelligent agents or persons who operate under the mask and who are directly connected to those intelligence services." Trainees, a loyal member of the national administration and a technical expert for IT are stated as an example. "As you can see", Kidd stresses, "journalists are obviously not the only one in the focus. The European Union greatly respects the profession of journalism, media freedom and the protection of their sources."

Christian de Bruyne, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium, has also emphasized that there is no a general suspicion towards journalists. Nevertheless, he thinks that it does not have to surprise that the risk of espionage increases in proportion to the quantity of the information possessed by the Commission:

"There is no doubt that numerous countries, information brokers, lobbyists, journalists, private agencies and others continuously seek sensitive and confidential information, which they would misuse, resell or simply publish as a sensation", De Bruyne explains for WAVE magazine and adds: "I'm sure that I don't exaggerate when I say that the European Commission is undoubtedly one of 'the most open houses' in the world when it comes to access to the documents." However, as he has explained to us, the Commission is obliged not to reveal certain data by the EU regulation. Among the other items stated in the regulation it is also said that "principally all documents should be available to the public. Still, certain public and private interests should be protected without exception."

Cloud of suspicion over journalists

On the other hand, journalists think that exploring journalism is in the public interest. The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in 30 countries, while the API represents 500 accredited journalists to the European Union institutions. "Journalists must seek both 'sensitive and confidential information' with the aim to inform the public. A legitimate and essential part of democracy is to allow journalists to ask access to the documents which some politicians would rather remove out of public view", Lorenzo Consoli, the President of the API, has said concerning this event.

It seems that the story about a pretty long-legged trainee, as Commission's reply is not satisfactory for journalists, judging by the statement of EFJ Secretary General Aidana White: "The EU officials should do their job without threats and doubts about the honesty and integrity of the correspondents working in Brussels." He has also reminded us of the fact that the Commission has not yet taken responsibility and has not apologized for a false accusation directed to a German journalist that he was not doing his job properly in revealing the corruption in the EU, although he has been freed of suspicion. White assesses that the stories, such as the Commission's note, stain journalists' reputation and casts a cloud of suspicion over each one of them. He considers such suggestions to be the worst threatening form.

At a three-way crossroads

Obviously the European Commission considers that some data should be kept secret so that according to this decision the Commission takes appropriate measures, such as the aforementioned note. It may be that as a call to understand such a move De Bruyne says: "One day this principle could be applicable also to your personal data or sensitive data of the organization you are working for."

However, it seems that out of three most important bodies in charge of political leadership of the European Union only the European Commission has noticed the threat of foreign intelligence agents, although Mr. Kidd has told us - "as we know the European Council has also sent similar note to its staff." In the interview for WAVE magazine the European Council has negated this statement - "The Council has not sent similar note to its employees. Complete staff should pass security training when entering the institution". As for the European Parliament, according to Marjory van den Broeke's statement (Head of Press Room Unit in Directorate General for Communication) it could be concluded that neither this body has been warning about the risks of espionage: "Actually, as long as I have been following this case, it seems that the representative of the Belgian Intelligence Service has announced that there are spies among journalists in Brussels. I have also seen the stories in media that this has also been confirmed by the Commission. The European Parliament has no comment on those statements of Belgian authorities and the European Commission".

The comment of the Intel news Senior Editor (www.intelnews.org) and an intelligence expert Dr Joseph Fitsanakis states that "all this is typical when we are talking about the information related to the intelligence service. People simply do not want to talk about that - they feel embarrassed, unsure or both."

What kind of events have initiated the appearance of the Commission's note, what those sophisticated methods used by spies are and what sort of data is their target - Mr. Kidd could not explain to us: "It is evident that I cannot go into the details of those cases - because of security reasons." Thus, for now many questions remain without their answers, and a lot of space is left to our imagination (and/or paranoia), especially if we take into account a long-legged blond in the manner of James Bond.


(Published INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE  www.wavemagazine.net: 10.03.2009.)

Thinking is forbidden

Bureaucratic circus in European Union

Thinking is forbidden

We have been informed from European Agenda that they cannot comment the cancellation of hosting TICAP (the International Coalition against Prohibition) conference. In the Bureau of the European Parliament, they say for Wave magazine that the decision has been made according to the rights to use Parliament premises: "The events that are taking place in our premises can under no circumstances have any commercial purpose and they must not undermine Parliament's honour. Besides this, sponsorship is strictly forbidden." The member organizations of TICAP assess this decision as non-democratic. "The reasons such as "Parliament's honour" shows that the Bureau has just been looking for an excuse for the oppression of those who think unconventionally about passive smoking - that is, of those who consider it to be a fraud, Cristoph Lovenich (FORCES Germany) says


By MILENA STOŠIĆ from Niš, SERBIA


The first international conference against prohibition by the title "Smoking Bans and Lies" should have been held in the European Parliament, in Brussels, organized by TICAP and under the patronage of Godfrey Bloom, a member of the European Parliament. Although the event was put on the European Agenda list of events for 27th and 28th January, it was cancelled without any announcement. "The Parliament Bureau has decided to prohibit the conference at its closed session", IND/DEM (Independence/Democracy Group), one of the political groups in the European Parliament, to which even Godfrey Bloom belongs, has reported. "They have not even been decent enough and they have not informed me about the cancellation for a week", Mr. Bloom says. Eminent scientists from all over the world, who should have given speeches and who should have participated in debates on passive smoking and smoking prohibitions, had been invited to the conference. The event was yet held in Brussels, but on other location, now renamed "Thinking is forbidden", thanks to the engagement of IND/DEM.

Affair

TICAP is the International Coalition against Prohibition
which consists of 26 member organizations from Europe and the world (DaRy, FORCES Germany, FORCES International, Freedom to Choose, Initiative für Genuss Berlin, Libertarian Party of Canada, the Voice of Freedom Network...). Those associations question the authenticity and scientific base of the data on the consequences of passive smoking and they offer alternative solutions to smoking prohibitions that have recently been brought up for discussion in numerous countries. "TICAP was established by the citizens who did not want to be scapegoats any longer", Soren Hojbjerg, for the Danish Smokers Rights Organization (DaRy), explains for Wave magazine.

We have been informed from European Agenda that they cannot comment the cancellation of hosting TICAP (the International Coalition against Prohibition) conference. In the Bureau of the European Parliament they say for Wave magazine that the decision has been made according to the rights to use Parliament premises: "The events that are taking place in our premises can under no circumstances have any commercial purpose and they must not undermine Parliament's honour. Besides this, sponsorship is strictly forbidden." The member organizations of TICAP assess this decision as non-democratic. "The reasons such as "Parliament's honour" shows that the Bureau has just been looking for an excuse for the oppression of those who think unconventionally about passive smoking - that is, of those who consider it to be a fraud", Cristoph Lovenich (FORCES Germany) says.

British organization "Freedom2choose" has, in its report for the media, commented on the decision of the European Parliament Bureau as "unheard-of and non-democratic" and "based on false, unproved affirmations". The organizers consider the main reason for the conference cancellation to be lobbying of big pharmaceutical firms (Big Pharm) and anti-smoking organizations (Smoke Free Europe and EPHA- European Public Health Alliance). Florence Berteletti Kemp, the vice-president of EPHA, has confirmed that a letter has been sent to the European Parliament Bureau from anti-smoking organizations (The Smoke free Partnership, Comite National contre le tabagisme and the members of the European Network for Smoking Prevention): "The letter sent to the European Parliament has questioned the usage of the Parliament premises for the organization of such an event and it has revealed the reasons why the event should not be held there." She states that the event opposes the rules of the Parliament itself and that it damages its dignity, as well as the spirit of the International Framework Convention on tobacco control. "As a final result, the conference has been cancelled", F. B. Kemp says, owing to a strong pro-health involvement.

EU is a bureaucratic circus

The conference organizers were really angry because of the evaluation of the event and they categorically negated any connection with tobacco industry, as well as the existence of commercial interests of the financial sponsors. They state that TICAP consists of common citizens who are concerned about the issue of freedom to choose, and that the claims of the vice-president of EPHA, Mrs. Kemp, are "false".

"The main commercial sponsor of the conference is the hospital for rehabilitation in the USA", Soren Hojbjerg (DaRy) reminds us and adds that: "The whole affair shows that what a mockery the European Union makes of democracy and freedom of speech. The EU is a bureaucratic circus who does not care for citizens' wishes". As for anti-smoking organizations, people from DaRy consider that they have presented themselves as "fanatic and intolerant". Cristoph Lovenich (FORCES Germany) shares the same opinion in his statement that "anti-smoker fanatics can use the premises of the European Parliament for spreading its propaganda" and that "it is obvious that dissidents are not allowed" - "Even the invited speakers, such as professor Vos from Holland, were under pressure not to attend the conference".

Nicotine leads millions of smokers to jails

Therefore, opinions are divided. "As you know, we in Great Britain have endured smoking prohibition of 16 months - it was an economic catastrophe: 2600 pubs, clubs and bingo halls were forced to closure; two biggest pubs have suffered, as a result, the drop in their share prices from Ł 12.60 o 36.75 pence. More than 100.000 people stayed without job because of that and it is still not proved that a life was saved by prohibiting smoking", British organization "Freedom2choose" states. On the other hand, the official information of the World Health Organization is that tobacco is the sixth among eight leading causes of death in the world. In 2005 the WHO was the greatest international employee which forbade employment of smokers, with the aim to promote its campaign against smoking. This gesture gave the green light to other employees to behave in the same way, since the laws against discrimination do not protect that category, which Tymothy O'Leary, for WHO, also confirms:

"Tobacco smoking is not one of the five fields included in the laws against discrimination". He also observes for Wave magazine that the WHO has never encountered the legal lawsuit concerning such employment policy and he adds: "In the WHO employment policy, the most important message that we would like you to understand is that we encourage people to take into consideration to stop smoking before they join us."

Tobacco industry Phillip Morris International (PMI) has fenced itself off this conference. From PMI they have said for Wave magazine that they do not agree with many aims that were set by conference organizers, as well as that they believe that the regulation on tobacco products is appropriate.

Johannes Blokland (Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety), a member of the European Parliament, has not stated his opinion about the cancelled conference, but he gave us his opinion about smoking and prohibitions: "Smoking prohibition in workplace means employers' health protection. As for the health of smokers, the best for them would be to stop smoking immediately! But they are weak and nicotine is very attractive! But it is, at the same time, very dangerous and it leads millions of smokers into jails. Nevertheless, it is their responsibility whether they are going to stop smoking or not."

Smoking or not smoking - that is the question

Conference host Godfrey Bloom has expressed his regret at the prohibition of free democratic debate on certain subjects, one of which is also tobacco: "It is hard for me as an Englishman who is used to freedom of speech."

All in all, the conference has still been organized and assessed by "Freedom2choose" as "very successful and exceptionally well visited". John Gray (presiding of TICAP) has said that -"our opponents, prohibitionists can exult as long as they want, pretending that they succeeded in preventing this event and trying, as usually, to mislead the public. The fact is that they have lost despite their dirty tricks and nothing is going to stand in our way from now on."

"This is only the beginning of a very exciting journey", Bill Gibson, the director of TICAP, has said announcing that this coalition will work on revealing also the other life styles that have been being systematically undermined.

Regardless you interpret all those events as infringement of freedom of speech, fatalism or the promotion of individual interests - the fact is that intensive campaigns against smoking are being held in whole Europe, and that efforts are being made to reduce the number of addicts. Such climate dominates although all the ways of fighting are not always in accordance with human rights and equality. Motivation is assessed by everyone in relation to his/her own convictions. However, it seems to be that the smallest link in this chain is mostly attacked - a smoker, who consciously accepts the risk - and now he/she is entrapped in the web of health, responsibility, freedom to choose and laws reconsidering.


(Published on INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WEB MAGAZINE WAVE www.wavemagazine.net: 10.02.2009.)