The new Serbian language version of the Compass manual was presented in Belgrade on 8 June. The translation of the manual is important step for human rights education of young people in Serbia, as it will help empower youth leaders, multipliers and youth workers to support young people’s meaningful participation in democratic life.
The launching event brought together representatives of youth organisations and bodies, youth workers and activists, public institutions, independent human rights and civil society organisations led by, working with and for youth.
In his opening, Tobias Flessenkemper, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade stressed that human rights education is a basis for young people to build peaceful society based on justice. ”As Serbia remains shaken by the terrible crimes which had young people as victims and perpetrators, society, families and young people themselves are looking for practical tools to build a future without violence, where everyone can enjoy his/her human rights and freedoms. With a Compass manual we aim to provide such a tool”, concluded Flessenkemper.
Antje Rothemund, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, in her key-note address, underlined that human rights cannot be protected by legal instruments alone, they need to be defended and promoted, and this is what Compass tries to do – to contribute to the creation of a culture of human rights. She added that young people are not a homogenous group, they can be perpetrators of violence, as well as promoters of human rights. “As educators, we can be there for those who are in between and do not know to which side to belong, to help young people associate to a community of positive values, a community of peace, a community of human rights and a community of democracy. “
The presentation of Compass was complemented with a panel discussion and an exchange between public institutions, youth organisations and youth workers. Participants underlined that in the current societal context, it is essential to affirm the necessary complementarity of non-formal and formal learning, to foster dialogue between all stakeholders working for and with young people in Serbia, and to provide human rights education with the help of such resources as the Compass.
The publication of the Compass manual into Serbian will be be followed by capacity-building of youth leaders, multipliers and youth workers to better provide human rights education in youth projects and activities, within the project “Citizenship and human rights education with young people in Serbia“, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
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