Education on interculturalism and openness toward others is essential for building a society based on tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect. This was one of the key conclusions of the five-day Intercultural Camp for high school students, organized by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), from 26 February to 2 March 2025, in Nikšić, within the project “HEART: Support for the Empowerment and Resilience of Youth Today” the project is financially supported by the EU, with co-financing from the Ministry of Public Administration.
Participants came from different municipalities – Kotor, Podgorica, Plav, Rožaje and Nikšić. They worked with experts from academia, the education system and the NVO sector, who combined short introductory lectures with workshops, simulations, debates, and open discussions. This approach helped young people develop critical thinking through practical work.
“Many young Roma drop out of school due to poverty, lack of support and discrimination. Schools rarely discuss Roma culture and history, so they grow up unaware of their heritage, while their peers do not have the opportunity to better understand and accept them. The media often portray Roma through poverty, crime, or begging, reinforcing a negative societal image of them,” said Jasmina Beriša, human rights activist and volunteer at the Roma NGO “Walk With Us – Phiren Amenca,” who led one of the workshops.
“The atmosphere was friendly and supportive. I met people from different cities, which broadened my perspective and allowed me to learn new things. The workshops were inspiring and gave me the opportunity to develop skills such as teamwork and communication,” said Amila Markišić, a third-year student at the “Bećo Bašić”Secondary Mixed School in Plav. “This type of learning allows us to recognize and appreciate cultural differences, which can help reduce prejudice and stereotypes,” she added.
“My experience at the camp encouraged me to think more rationally about social challenges, that exist worldwide, and especially in Montenegro. I also learned about the difference between multiculturalism and interculturalism and why the latter is much less discussed in our country. The atmosphere was relaxed, we had great interactions, and the coordinators encouraged open discussions, which helped us get to know each other better“, shared Matija Grgurović, a third-year student at Kotor Gymnasium and one of the participants.
“Participating in the camp gave me the chance to learn more about interculturalism and the importance of mutual understanding. The workshops were inspiring and helped me develop critical thinking and communication skills. Through this camp, I realized how crucial dialogue, respect, and cooperation are for collective progress, and I am motivated to apply this knowledge in my own community“, said Anastasija Mićović, a first-year student at “Stojan Cerović” Gymnasium in Nikšić.
“These workshops were a wonderful and unique experience that I would recommend to all my peers. Socializing, learning, building trust, and acquiring new skills are best and most beautifully experienced through interactive programmes like this. We all come from different cities and cultures, which further enriched the intercultural aspect of the camp. We are all looking forward to future gatherings,” said Manja Perić, a second-year student at “Mirko Vešović” Secondary Economic School in Podgorica and one of the participants of the Intercultural Camp.
Anđela Popović, a second-year student at Kotor Gymnasium, shared similar impressions: “At this camp, every day was an opportunity to meet new people and share experiences. I am glad to have been part of this programme, which provides an excellent opportunity for personal and social development. It brings together young people from different backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Through joint activities and discussions, we learn how to build bridges between different cultures and communities. The experience gained from this campenhances various democratic skills, tolerance, and awareness of local and global issues. Equally important – we have created new friendships that will last a long time,” she said.
“Participating in the Intercultural Camp was a valuable experience for me. I come from Rožaje, where different cultures intersect, and through this programme, I realized how important it is to learn about other cultures, break down prejudices, and promote tolerance. Interculturalism teaches us that diversity is a wealth, not a barrier. Through discussions and teamwork, I learned to listen, understand, and accept different perspectives“,said Amar Agović, a final-year student at “30 September” Gymnasium in Rožaje.
During the camp, 25 high school students enhanced their knowledge of human rights concepts and mechanisms for their protection. They also explored different cultural identities, the ways media report on important social issues, and methods of peaceful conflict resolution – an inevitable aspect of multiethnic communities. Special attention was given to the impact of social media and the challenges it poses in building an intercultural society based on understanding and tolerance.
The programme was successfully completed by: Aleksa Kovačević, Amar Agović, Anđela Popović, Damjan Đurđevac, Helena Vojvodić, Janko Živković, Jovan Vuković, Luka Nikolić, Maša Pižurica, Stefan Nikolić, Petar Vujović, Radojka Rajković, Una Perazić, Petra Perišić, Hajdana Popović, Manja Perić, Amila Markišić, Anastasija Mićović, Matija Popović, Mihailo Novaković, Miloš Bošković, Vuk Vuksanović, Lucija Popović, Matija Grgurović, and Boško Brajović.
Alma Novalić, Project Assistant