From 22 to 24 March 2019, students and teachers from the XIV Belgrade Gymnasium, the Serbian-language Gymnasium Katerina Kantakuzina Branković in Zagreb, and the Svetozar Marković Gymnasium in Novi Sad, which provides education for students from the Hungarian national minority, participated in the continuation of the project In Search of Shared Heritage. The initiative brought together young people from different communities and educational contexts across the region, creating opportunities for dialogue, mutual learning, and the exploration of shared cultural heritage. The project promoted the values of inclusion, intercultural understanding, respect for diversity, and active citizenship.
Students from Zagreb arrived in Belgrade on Friday afternoon. Following a welcome at the XIV Belgrade Gymnasium, they took part in a guided tour of the city and spent the evening with their host peers, providing an opportunity for informal intercultural exchange and the development of personal connections across borders and communities.
On Saturday, students from Novi Sad joined the group, further enriching the diversity of perspectives represented in the programme. Workshop activities focused on the lives and contributions of prominent human rights defenders, while a debate session encouraged participants to reflect critically on the role of schools, civil society, and wider society in preparing young people for democratic participation and responsible citizenship.
Throughout the programme, students engaged in activities aimed at strengthening respect for human rights, promoting meaningful participation, and fostering understanding between majority and minority communities. Particular attention was given to recognizing the contributions of national minorities to the cultural and social life of the region and to encouraging dialogue based on equality, dignity, and mutual respect.
The educational programme also included a guided visit to the National Museum of Serbia, where participants explored the country's diverse cultural heritage and its many influences and traditions. The visit was followed by a theatre performance at Akademija 28, providing an additional opportunity to engage with contemporary cultural expression and shared cultural experiences.
