In this episode, we delve into the powerful movements that are reshaping Serbia's political landscape. "Voices of Dissent" explores the domestic protests that are challenging the status quo, giving a voice to those who are fighting for democratic reforms, environmental justice, and civil rights in the face of a difficult political climate. We also examine the broader regional and European context, looking at how Serbia's protests intersect with global trends in civic engagement and the evolving role of civil society. With expert insights and firsthand accounts, this podcast seeks to understand the complexities of activism, dissent, and the future of Serbia in a rapidly changing world.

Guests:

Ivan Vejvoda is a Permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) and a former advisor to Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Before joining the IWM as a Permanent Fellow in 2017, Ivan Vejvoda was Senior Vice President for Programs at the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States. From 2003 until 2010, he served as Executive Director of GMF’s Balkan Trust for Democracy. Vejvoda came to GMF in 2003 after distinguished service in the Serbian government as a senior advisor on foreign policy and European integration to Prime Ministers Zoran Djindjic and Zoran Zivkovic. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Belgrade-based Fund for an Open Society from 1998 to 2002. During the mid-1990s, Vejvoda held various academic posts in the United States and the U.K. Vejvoda was a key figure in the democratic opposition movement in Yugoslavia during the 1990s, and has published widely on the subjects of democratic transition, totalitarianism, and post-war reconstruction in the Balkans.

Lura Pollozhani is a Researcher at the University of Graz. Her research focuses on social movements and the EU enlargement. Her other research interests include radicalization, citizenship practices in divided societies, and democratization. She completed her PhD in Law and Politics at the University of Graz, while she was awarded an MSc in European Studies: Ideas and Identities at the LSE. Lura has previously worked as an Advisor to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia on cooperation with international organizations. She went on to work for the UNHCR as an external engagement officer. She has also worked as a Researcher at the University of Prishtina, as a University Assistant at the CSEES in Graz, as well as a Project Manager for ECMI Kosovo. Lura is one of the co-founders of the Stella Network - a mentoring network for women and girls.

Moderation:

Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the IIP.

The episode was recorded on 26 February 2025.