News & Updates

Students Leading Protests in Serbia: Has Education for Democracy Made an Impact?

Serbia has a long history of civic and student protests, and the latest wave of discontent is led by students forming new types of associations. The trigger for the protests was a tragedy in Novi Sad, where the collapse of a railway station canopy killed 15 people. Following attempts by authorities to downplay responsibility, students initiated mass demonstrations, soon joined by teachers, high school students, and citizens.

Their demands include full transparency regarding the station’s reconstruction, the release of detained protesters, prosecution of those who attacked students and professors, and a 20% increase in the state budget for universities. The protests have led to blockades of faculties and high schools, with participants organizing plenums—open assemblies where decisions are made through direct democracy.

This wave of civic activism raises a crucial question: Has education for democracy helped young people become more aware of their rights and responsibilities? Educational reforms have integrated democratic competencies into the curriculum, but the real impact on youth engagement remains to be seen.

 

Monument(al) Challenges Toolkit

Monument(al) Challenges, collaboratively implemented with the Contested Histories Initiative and funded by the European Union, aims to respond to some of the challenges educators across Europe face in teaching history. Specifically, we strive to address teachers’ requirements for resources and training materials that equip them with the skills to discuss sensitive and complex histories, including colonialism and slavery, in their classrooms.

35th anniversary of the 1989 Revolution in Romania.

In collaboration with Ambasada României în Republica Serbia, Deutsche Botschaft Belgrad / Nemačka ambasada u Beogradu, and EU u Srbiji we hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion and an engaging exhibition celebrating the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Revolution in Romania.
With guests from the academic communities of Romania and Serbia, the panel featured ambassadors from both countries sharing their insights and experiences on the key historical events that marked the end of the Cold War.

The Third Belgrade Symposium on History Teaching

Belgrade once again served as an inspiring hub hosting symposium on history education titled "Disarming History"!  From April 11th to 12th, experts and professionals from diverse corners of the globe converged in our city to exchange inovative practices in history education. For three years, this symposium has served as a cornerstone event for all involved in the field of education. Spanning various venues across Belgrade, this event is complemented by captivating tours, offering participants insights into diverse perspectives on cultural-historical heritage.

Onsite Remembrance learning

We are presenting the latest edition of the "Onsite Remembrance learning" Teacher's guide. This edition features 21 lesson plans, selected from our competition, thanks to the creativity and dedication of the teachers who participated.The editorial board has accepted lesson plans that can inspire other teachers and are intricately connected to the cultural heritage of local communities, emphasizing the significance of democratic values, human rights, and cultural diversity. We extend our gratitude to all who participated and shared their ideas

The HISTOLAB Award for BeoTura

The HISTOLAB Award for Innovative School Projects in History Education was granted to eight schools hailing from France, Ireland, Serbia, Spain, and Turkey, along with one transnational project. Among the recipients was Beotura from Serbia.

Students and educators from the winning schools received the Award during the HISTOLAB European Innovation Days in History Education 2024. This event served as a gathering point for history educators, academics, researchers, practitioners, junior professionals, and students to exchange ideas. These ideas were either submitted through an open call or presented during the side events organized by HISTOLAB partner organizations.

Labyrinth of the Nineties

A two-day seminar for educators from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia took place in Sarajevo on September 20th and 21st, as part of the "Labyrinth of the Nineties" exhibition, hosted by the Museum of the Nineties at the Historical Museum of BiH. During the seminar, teachers collaborated with students from the First Gymnasium in Sarajevo to explore the complex events of the 1990s.Educators from our association designed and led interactive workshops that introduced onsite strategies, centered on the exploration of local heritage. These sessions offered innovative ways to engage with history, transforming the legacy of the 1990s into a tangible and immersive learning experience, directly connecting students with the historical context of their surroundings.

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