DEKLARACIJA "Moja zvezda fali Evropi"

MY STAR IS MISSING IN EUROPE
Centre for Cultural Decontamination, Bircaninova 21, Belgrade

- Report from the conference (May 9-10, 2000.) -

The Europe Day, May 9, 2000 marked the beginning of a two-day youth conference My Star is Missing in Europe, held in the Veljkovic pavilion and organized by European Movement in Serbia, Civic Initiatives, Center for Cultural Decontamination, Center for Democracy and Human Rights from Podgorica and a new youth non-governmental organization "Generation 21". Participants, representatives of the political parties youth, students' and non-governmental organizations from Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Republika Srpska and Croatia discussed the topics of integration of Yugoslavia and the Balkan region in Europe.

The conference begins with the hymn "Ode to Joy" and a video recording of speeches delivered by "Fathers of Europe", surrounded by a scenography of folding chairs with imprinted star and the conference message. Pictures of speakers appear on the screen. Blue lights, eleven stars around the conference table. One star is missing. Ours.

European values are the main topic. Desimir Tosic speaks about tradition of the relationships with Europe. He refers to Jovan Skerlic. Borka Pavicevic talks about multicultural values. Michael Graham offers a hope for "the day after". Mihajlo Vasiljevic greets the participants and reads the message of support to the rally in Pozarevac, conveyed from the conference. Jelica Minic recognizes the way by which our grim reality could turn into European reality, thanks to young people. Debate continues on the issue whether European values are our values, should we stick to them literally or not, whether the Western policy towards the Balkans has exclusively economic interests in its core, etc.

Then comes the role of youth organizations in promoting peace and integration in the SouthEast Europe. Speakers from Macedonia, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria take the floor. Marija Grebovic, moderator, starts up the session by revealing the problem of isolation and travel difficulties and advantages of cooperation among youth organizations on the regional and global level. Georgi Dimitrov, representative of YES from Macedonia, assents that only promotion of own "endemic" values, the policy of interests and the increase of education level, can make the Balkans interesting for Europe. "You need not think of Milosevic, you should think how to remove Draskovic and Djindjic or how to make them accept democratic rules". Discussion opens up. Bojan Lalic from Croatia primarily thinks that courage of the youth, individual initiative and imagination could lead towards a democratic change. He talks about success of the Voice 99 during the pre-election campaign in Croatia.

The discussion follows on adoption and enlargement of the declaration "Restore the hope in the Balkans", brought up at the conference in Romania and signed by representatives of the youth organizations from all Balkan and most European countries. Sandra Djordjevic, moderator of the session from the Generation 21, reports about that conference and a joint interest that our region becomes included into Europe. Predrag Markovic, publisher and member of the G17 PLUS Board, talks about responsibility which we all should undertake with regard to the past and the future. Aleksandar Milosevic, vice-president of the Montenegrin Democratic Party of Socialists Youth, in a rather inspiring speech, praises our star to the European skies. Professor Miklos Biro presents the research results, revealing a horrible percentage of xenophobia, illiteracy, while promoting a necessity that young should go to the elections and take destiny into their own hands. He is of the opinion that a hope in the Balkans can be restored only through increasing the levels of culture and education. A radical speech by Teodora Tabacki follows. She throws critics at the declaration and presents the activities of the Socialist Internationale. After a brief debate and with some text reductions, the declaration is being adopted. The Europe Day. There is a message by Bodo Hombach, the Stability Pact Special Coordinator.

Minorities in Serbia, bridges of understanding and cooperation, are the topic of the session led by Aida Corovic from Urban-In, Novi Pazar. She speaks about necessity of a civic state contrasted to the nationalistic madness which contributed to the bloody break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Bagi Ferenc, president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians Youth, talks about his party activities and many times applied recipes for overcoming national problems. Emilija Ilic, from Roma Information Center, promotes the emotional versus political approach to the problems of Roma in the region. A vivid debate follows on the issue whether minorities make problems themselves artificially. There are concrete examples of the opposite. A bitter debate among Montenegrins on the status of the church. Aida closes down with the warning that young politicians behave like their leaders: "Stop swearing at each other!" The situation calms down. Ceremonial signing of the declaration adopted the day before - "Restore the hope in the Balkans".

The role of media in the process of integration into Europe. Gordana Susa advocates professionalism and responsibility, when talking about the present situation and ever growing repression against the media. Participants congratulate Veran Matic on receiving the prestigious award. Dubravka Valic-Nedeljkovic from the School of Journalism, Novi Sad, presents the research results of a disasterous situation in the media sphere. Snjezana Milivojevic talks about freedom of speech culture. Veran Matic recalls the memories of his arrest during the bombing and states the fact that a journalist remains a journalist no matter what happens, which presumes professionalism and freedom. While talking about the sale of independent media to foreign investors in the neighboring countries, he supports the necessity of maintaining a critical attitude and independent information. Zeljko Bodrazic, moderator of the session, editor-in-chief of "Kikindske Novine", which has been penalized week after week, starts up a debate on the status of public media before and after democratic changes in the society. The problem that bothers young people both in Serbia and Montenegro creates conditions for a long and sometimes bitter, debate.

Professor Srbijanka Turajlic, H.E. Antonio Tanger Correa, Ambassador of Portugal and Dusko Lopandic from the European Movement in Serbia, talk about EU youth programs. A very interesting debate opens up on the conditions for the EU accession. Participants from Montenegro cite the statement of Branko Lutovac, Montenegrin Minister for Foreign Affairs, that Montenegro will be admitted to the EU as a full-fledged member by the year 2010. Ambassador Correa responds that there are no precise dates for accession of any country, but clearly defined conditions under which countries can become EU members and Montenegro is a part of the FRY, which provokes sharp reactions of Montenegrin participants.

The conference ends up with full consent of all participants on the contents and common interests promoted by the declaration My Star is Missing in Europe. Ceremonial signing. Messages of encouragement from the whole Europe. Smiles to the prospects of our countries in the future of Europe.

Belgrade, 11 May, 2000

Rastko Šejić

Za konferenciju je proizveden sav neophodan promo materijal: logo, poster, fascikla, hemijska, blok...

Autor slogana naslova konferencije i koordinator projekta: Rastko Šejić; organizatori i facilitatori panela: Budimir Marković (takođe organizator smeštaja i distribucije štampanog materijala), Marija Grebović Marković; dizajn logoa i postera: Zoran Mujbegović; prelom: Mališa Vučković; organizacija i izvođenje prenosa konferencije uživo putem weba i sajta Free Serbia: Uroš Majstorović.