Equality, tolerance, humanity, and quality education must be the foundation of a society to have responsible people who will build a better world for new generations, said Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, at the opening of the Commissioner’s annual conference “Everyone Should Know What Equality Means”. The conference, organized by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in cooperation with the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Serbia and the British Council on the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance, aims to raise awareness of the importance of educating children and young people about the concept of discrimination and its suppression through the promotion of tolerance and equality, including gender equality.

Discriminatory attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices are acquired in childhood, but at that same age, they are most easily dismantled, said the Commissioner. We also have a responsibility for their present – to protect children and young people from everyday aggression, unreliable click-friendships, and, unfortunately, ubiquitous peer violence. There is no future if we deny children quality education and if we do not create the conditions so that every child can fully develop their personality, free from prejudices and stereotypes, and expected social roles, but also relieved from the pressure of superficial values ​​dictated by online accounts and harsh cancellation culture, Janković pointed out.

The Ambassador of Great Britain, Edward Ferguson, said that achieving gender equality is one of the priorities, as well as that education is crucial so that girls and boys know that they have the same rights and develop critical thinking, while the Ambassador of the OSCE Mission to Serbia pointed out that tolerance means respect for the rights of others, acceptance of diversity, but also the essence of the human being, which is why education, equal economic and social opportunities must be available to all. Minister of Education, Slavica Đukić Dejanović, pointed out that an environment based on trust should be created in which everyone can realize their potential, which is why equality and tolerance are included in school programs as these are not just ideas but concrete goals that need to be worked on, while Head of EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, said that tolerance is a powerful principle because by protecting the dignity of others, we also protect our own dignity.

At the conference, the annual media awards for tolerance, which the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality jointly awards with the OSCE Mission to Serbia, and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, were traditionally handed out to the authors of the best media texts and contributions on the topic of fighting against discrimination, and promoting equality and tolerance. In the TV/radio category, the following were awarded: Amela Bajrović (Freemedia.rs), Tamara Stojanović (TV N1), Jovana Uhrin (TV Una) and Tanja Komarica (TV Blic). In the category of online media/portals, the following were awarded: Aleksandar Đokić (portal Vreme), Slađana Dimitrijević (portal UNS), Dragana Prica (021.rs) and Ganja Nikolić (portal Niške vesti), while in the category print media, the following were awarded: Olivera Milošević (Politika) and Stefan Slavković (Liceulice).

The conference was also an opportunity to announce the recipients of the “Municipality/city of equal opportunities” award for the year 2024. This year’s laureate is the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, while the city of Sombor and the Municipality of Trstenik were awarded for outstanding contributions to the promotion of equality.

Also, at the conference, the exhibition “Great Women of Serbian Culture” was promoted. It had been opened the day before in the Jevrem Grujić House in Belgrade and featured famous women of Serbian history who, through their deeds and courage, contributed to the development of Serbian thought, culture, science, and society.

Through panel discussions held in the second part of the conference, young men and women presented the thoughts and attitudes of the young generation on equality, while teachers and psychologists also gave their views. Panel participants were Anđelka Petrović, teacher of the Serbian language at the Mathematical Gymnasium, Milan Vašalić, educator at the Kikinda preschool, Sarah Soyei, co-founder and Head of Strategy and Development in the organization EqualiTeach, Miša Stojiljković, President of the association “Nest” (father parents association), Lana Nikolić, influencer, Ksenija Turčinović from the Panel of Young Advisors of the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Mina Ivković, representative of the student parliament, and Milica Borjanić, Secretary General of the Umbrella Organization of Serbia’s Youth.