The Academy on Consumer Rights was successfully completed with a visit to the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism (MEDT) and the awarding of diplomas, as part of the “Informed Consumer – Safe Consumer” project, implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism (MEDT).
The Academy on Consumer Rights was attended by 16 law students from different levels of study. During three intensive days, they had the opportunity to learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of consumer protection through the lectures of reference lecturers. The focus of the Academy was on the concept and role of consumer law in domestic and regulatory framework of the European Union, the application of fairness standards in the power relations between consumers and sellers, the importance of consumer law in preserving the health and safety of consumers. Part of the training was related to the practical dimensions of the protection of these rights, the mechanisms of that protection, as well as the type and content of legal remedies. Special attention was paid to the analysis of domestic and international judicial practice in this area.
The two-day training was led by Nikolina Tomović, a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law of the UoM, lawyer Edvin Zverotić, and lawyer Miloš Vukčević, as a guest lecturer, while the third day of the Academy was reserved for visiting institutions and organizations that deal with the protection of consumer rights. Thus, the participants of the Academy visited the Chamber of Commerce and their Committee for out-of-court resolution of consumer disputes, the Center for Consumer Protection and the Directorate for Inspection Affairs. On that occasion, they learned more about their work, competences and contribution they have in the field of consumer protection.
“The Academy met my expectations and provided the necessary knowledge in this area, which I am ready to apply and expand in the future. The topic on consumer rights protection is extremely important, it is part of our daily lives as citizens – consumers, and in the future also legal professionals ready to represent in such disputes and contribute to raising awareness of the importance of adequate protection“, said Jovana Vučeraković, one of the attendees.
Ana Vukčević, a participant of the Academy, also shares positive impressions, assessing that this project will influence to spread of awareness among citizens about their rights .”The impressions from the Academy are excellent and this project will contribute to the spread of awareness regarding consumer rights. We learn about the regulations governing this area and the institutions dealing with consumer rights”, she says.
Reflecting on the motives to apply for this training, student Milena Globarević states that she decided “because there is not enough talk about consumer rights in Montenegro“, and points out that the Academy provided her with “extremely useful experience and directed her to further training in this area”.
During the visit to the Ministry, Armend Milla, State Secretary of MEDT and Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of CCE awarded diplomas for successfully attendance of the Academy to Ana Šljukić, Ana Vukčević, Anđela Pejanović, Dijana Tomović, Enida Fetahović, Hadžera Dedeić, Ivan Vučeković, Jelena Rešetar, Jovana Vučeraković, Kristina Janković, Lela Jovanović, Luka Mijanović, Milena Globarević, Mina Čogurić, Monika Mrnjačević and Tamara Kontić.
Three participants of Academy on Consumer Rights will be selected for paid internships in the Consumer Counseling Centre of CCE, where they will continue to improve in this area by providing advice and legal assistance to citizens, along with mentoring.
Damir Suljević, Programme associate