PLENUM 2026: FCJK Honoured for Civic Courage and Defence of Academic Freedoms
The PLENUM 2026 Annual Award for the Fight for Democracy and Human Rights was presented to the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature (FCJK) in Cetinje in recognition of its principled and unwavering defence of academic freedoms, freedom of expression, Montenegrin cultural and linguistic identity, as well as its contribution to promoting democratic values, critical thinking and civic responsibility.
The award is presented by the organisers of the regional PLENUM conference – the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) from Podgorica, the Regional Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) from Novi Sad, the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo and the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) – to initiatives and communities making an exceptional contribution to defending and advancing democracy and human rights in the Western Balkans.
“Through its educational, research, publishing and public activities, FCJK contributes to the preservation and promotion of the Montenegrin language, literature and cultural heritage, while also safeguarding space for critical examination of society. In an environment where language, history, culture and identity are frequently instrumentalised for political score-settling and the deepening of divisions, FCJK consistently defends pluralism, the right to be different and freedom of intellectual activity. FCJK demonstrates that academic institutions are not merely places of education and research, but also bastions of free thought, civic resistance and the defence of the public interest and democratic principles – something that, in the Montenegrin context, remains the exception rather than the rule,” said Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of CCE, on behalf of the organisers, during the award ceremony.
She emphasised that the public had already recognised FCJK’s perseverance and that the award was intended to further underline that those who stand by their principles must not be left isolated, nor should resistance to pressure be deprived of social support. “At the same time, through this award, we express solidarity with all those who reject enforced conformity, political disciplining and restrictions on freedom of thought. For democracy rests not only on institutions that wield power, but also on those with the courage to set limits on that power, often paying a high price for doing so,” Uljarević stated on behalf of the organisers during the award ceremony.
The award was accepted on behalf of FCJK by Aleksandar Radoman, Dean of the Faculty, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, stressing that it holds particular significance because it comes from organisations and individuals committed to the defence of democracy and human rights. He noted that FCJK stands out as an exception within Montenegro’s academic community, a significant part of which avoids engaging more actively with social challenges. “In a society burdened by authoritarian tendencies and attempts to revise history, academia must not live in an ivory tower. The silence of intellectuals at times when democracy is under threat can never be regarded as neutrality,” he stated, also highlighting the importance of student and academic resistance to autocratic practices in Serbia.
Reflecting on Montenegro’s European integration, he warned that progress towards EU membership must not overshadow the need to defend democratic values against far-right and radically chauvinistic ideologies. “We may formally enter the EU, but we cannot remain fully part of it unless we embrace its values. And those values do not include promoting failed expansionist nationalist ideologies, dreaming of changing borders in the Balkans, strengthening authoritarianism or glorifying convicted war criminals – as is being done today by Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić, who treats Parliament as his private property,” Radoman stressed.
He affirmed that, alongside its educational and research work, FCJK would continue to serve as a space from which democracy, freedom of thought and human dignity are defended without fear or political calculations.
“The PLENUM Annual Award does not reward comfort, but the courage to say what is unpopular, to stand by those who have no one else and to persevere even when the system is not on your side. FCJK deserves this award because it has consistently and steadfastly defended academic freedoms, freedom of expression and the right to think freely,” said Veton Zekoli, Executive Director of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB).
Zekoli recalled the institutional and political pressures FCJK had faced, including attempts to withhold funding, challenges to the renewal of its licence, the withdrawal of security services from the Faculty’s building and public targeting by representatives of the ruling parties. He also highlighted the domestic and international support FCJK had received in some of the challenges it had faced. “This shows us that solidarity is not an empty word and that standing together makes a difference. This award belongs to you, but also to everyone across the region who refuses to give in to pressure, enforced conformity and fear,” Zekoli concluded.
Balša Božović, Director of ADD, also addressed the gathering on behalf of the organisers, reflecting on the key messages and significance of this year’s PLENUM as a platform for open regional dialogue on democracy and the European future of the Western Balkans. On this occasion, he also announced the next edition of PLENUM, which will be held in Belgrade in 2027.
Prof. Dr Valida Repovac, Vice-Dean for Research, also attended the closing ceremony on behalf of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.
