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The Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) strongly condemns the physical attack on the prominent writer and founder of the “Krokodil” association, Vladimir Arsenijević, who was intercepted, attacked, and beaten in the very center of Belgrade by a group of twenty to thirty young men.This savage act, accompanied by horrific threats and insults, represents a direct […]
Author: N1 BelgradeThe possible use of acoustic weapons against demonstrators at the protest on March 15 last year is also mentioned in the adopted Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and having only 13 votes against this document is a massive blow to the regime in Serbia, politician and political scientist […]
The Regional Academy for Democratic Development (ADD), in partnership with Educons University – Faculty of Digital Production, has successfully hosted the first info session dedicated to the upcoming workshop cycle within the project “Youth Media Sprint: Novi Sad Newsroom Lab”.The event brought together young journalists and students interested in enhancing their skills and actively participating […]
Civil society organizations invite all citizens, activists, journalists, and free-thinking people to a solidarity gathering with the Gruhonjić family, which will be held today, June 22 at 19:30, in front of Balzakova 45 in Novi Sad.The vandal attack and destruction of the car belonging to David Gruhonjić, son of journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić, […]
The Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) strongly condemns the shameful, cowardly, and dangerous act of vandalism involving the destruction of the car belonging to David Gruhonjić, son of journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić. This brutal attack, which took place in Novi Sad, cannot and must not be viewed as an isolated incident or mere […]
The Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) strongly condemns the blatant media lynching and the painting of a target on the backs of the Božović family, which was initiated in prime time on Pink TV by Verica Bradić, a person who calls herself a journalist.Abusing the national broadcasting frequency of Pink TV, in a shameless segment […]
The 9th “Friends of the Western Balkans” conference was held in Podgorica, organized by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS). This distinguished event brings together political leaders, policymakers, the academic community, civil society representatives, and experts to foster regional cooperation and accelerate European integration. By engaging in dialogue on democratic values, socio-economic development, and […]
Twenty years after the restoration of its independence, Montenegro has achieved significant state, security, and foreign policy successes, but it has not fully built functional institutions, the rule of law, and a democratic political culture. Therefore, European integration must not be reduced to the technical closing of negotiating chapters; rather, it must be a process […]
With the passing of Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Mićunović, Serbia has lost one of its most distinguished intellectual figures. The Academy for Democratic Development pays tribute to a man who, for decades, represented a moral compass and a role model for generations of politicians. During the most difficult years of our recent history, he courageously defended […]
The Regional Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the complaint filed by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, Milivoj Alanović, against Professor Nevena Jevtić before the Ethics Committee, in an attempt to portray her public speech as hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to violence.It is clear that this is an abuse […]
The Regional Academy for Democratic Development congratulates the citizens of Serbia on Europe Day.This day reminds us that modern Europe did not emerge only as a political project, but as a historical response to war, authoritarianism, hatred and destruction. That is why the European idea has never been only a matter of institutions and procedures, […]
The Regional Academy for Democratic Development warns that the amendments to the regulations governing the drafting of legislation and public policy documents represent a step backwards in terms of institutional transparency, the quality of decision-making, and democratic oversight of the European integration process.Through amendments to two regulations, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has […]
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The Regional Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the statement made by Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković about professor and journalist Dinko Gruhonjić.It is unacceptable for a holder of such a high public office to use language that humiliates, discredits, and endangers the safety of a person who has for years been exposed to pressure, […]
The system for addressing peer violence and juvenile delinquency remains insufficiently developed and coordinated, which calls for stronger prevention, greater intersectoral cooperation, and a stronger focus on support, education, and the resocialisation of young people, it was stated during the second panel, “How to Respond to Peer Violence and Juvenile Delinquency?”, held as part of […]
Podgorica, 23 March 2026A sound systemic response to peer violence and juvenile delinquency must be swift, but not panicked. It must protect the victim, while also working with the perpetrator. It must involve the school, the family, the social welfare centre, the healthcare system, the police when necessary, and the local community. The worst outcome […]
Podgorica, 23 March 2026The findings of public opinion research, as well as specific and disturbing cases of peer violence, are a call to action and an urgent change in the approach taken so far, through a clear strategy and coordinated action by different institutions, civil society, parents, and young people. The way young people are […]
Anđela Popović, Marta Borović, and Ena Božović, students of Kotor Gymnasium and winners of the debate competition on peer violence organised by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), stayed in Novi Sad from 20 to 22 March as part of a study visit awarded as the prize for winning first place. During the three-day programme, […]
Regional Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the threats directed at Radar weekly journalist Vuk Cvijić following the publication of an article in that outlet. A call from an unknown number from abroad containing an unequivocally threatening message represents yet another piece of evidence that journalists in Serbia are systematically exposed to pressure, intimidation, and […]
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe
RYDE – Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe
The Academy for the Development of Democracy (ADD) organized a Regional Policy Lab dedicated to culture and youth participation, within the framework of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project funded by the European Union. The event brought together more than forty representatives of institutions, youth organizations, cultural institutions, experts, activists, and young people […]
One regional conference – five cities – one vision:Belgrade · Sarajevo · Skopje · Tirana · Pristina
The instrumentalization of national and religious identities—presented as the only valid markers of belonging—is increasingly deepening social divisions. This approach, which automatically places “others” in a subordinate position, was one of the key topics of the PROUDCAST produced by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE).Željka Zvicer, Programme Associate at the CCE, discussed the rise of […]
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
ADD Among Organizers of Cetinje Forum 2025
The Annual Plenum Award for the Fight for Democracy and Human Rights has been presented this year to the Free University of Novi Sad, which, in a year marked by student uprisings and deep social turmoil, demonstrated what academic courage looks like. While institutions were captured, this network of professors, teachers, and researchers stood by […]
Closing session of the Regional Plenum in Podgorica
Party leaders at the Regional Plenum in Podgorica
Opening remarks at the Regional plenum in Podgorica
First session of the Regional Plenum in Podgorica
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
The adoption of the strictest Resolution on Serbia to date by the European Parliament clearly points to a deep crisis of democracy, the rule of law, and media freedom in Serbia. Europe has unequivocally and fully recognized what the citizens of Serbia have been feeling for years – fear, pressure, institutional abuse, and the suppression […]
Regional Academy for Democratic Development has addressed the Friends of the Western Balkans network – a coalition of progressive political organizations, Members of the European Parliament, and individuals from EU countries committed to supporting democracy in the Western Balkans.In our message, we emphasized that the situation in Serbia is worsening by the day, with the […]
We are pleased to announce a great opportunity for one young person from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro or Serbia to attend a paid internship at the Kosovar Stability Initiative from Pristina.If you are a young person who wish to gain firsthand experience in civil society in Pristina in a period of two months, learn about the […]
Project: Empowering Coal Workers for a Green European Future in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
The Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the detention of Montenegrin director and intellectual Danilo Marunović by agents of the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) in Belgrade.The intrusion of BIA agents into Mr. Marunović’s hotel room and his subsequent forced interrogation without any legal basis constitutes a brutal violation of fundamental human rights, a politically motivated […]
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
Each year on 9 May, the Russian regime commemorates Victory Day in the Second World War. The military parade traditionally held on this occasion has long served not only to downplay the role of the West and Europe in defeating Nazi Germany but also as a display of force and a symbolic threat to Europe, […]
Aleksandra Jerkov, a member of the Executive Board of the Academy for Democratic Development (ADD), today presented an initiative to amend the legal definition of rape in the Western Balkan countries. She explained that all countries in the region still use an outdated and inaccurate definition of rape that requires the use or threat of […]
A day before the anniversary of Zoran Đinđić’s assassination, Aleksandar Vučić is sending a clear message to the people of Serbia – he will defend his power by any means necessary, relying on the very same structures that, 22 years ago, fired shots at a modern Serbia.Members of the Special Operations Unit (JSO), whose members […]
The Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the police raid on the premises of Civic Initiatives, the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), the Center for Practical Politics, and the Trag Foundation.This raid, orchestrated by Vučić’s party prosecutor Stefanović, was carried out without presenting a search warrant and with an obvious intent to intimidate. […]
The last nights break-in at the premises of the Independent Society of Journalists of Vojvodina in Novi Sad occurred after a months-long campaign of hatred and targeting of this organization by the highest officials in Serbia, headed by President Aleksandar Vučić.We demand that the police and all relevant authorities urgently take action and, without delay, […]
Last night’s attack on students in Novi Sad represents a completely new phase in the horrifying violence that the Serbian Progressive Party has been generating since the beginning of the protests over the murder of 15 people in Novi Sad. Although it has been clear from the very start that the Serbian Progressive Party and […]
The Regional Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the escalation of violence in our society, the most recent example being the attack on conductor Ana Zorana Brajović following the performance of the opera “Cinderella” at the National Theatre, during which she expressed solidarity with students, high schoolers, and all citizens demanding accountability for the tragic […]