International Student Week in Belgrade, ISWiB 2009

"Challenge of Changes"

After working part, all the participants could join some free activities - Belgrade tour, sports day at Ada Ciganlija (Belgrade lake), national evening in famous Skadarlija street and parties every evening in clubs and boats. The central event was Country Fair, where ISWiBers had their national stands and could present their culture, customs, food and drink. The spirit of ISWiB was everywhere and positive vibrations from this international community could feel miles and miles away


By MARKO ANDREJIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


The third International Student Week in Belgrade, ISWiB 2009 was held from August 9 to 16, in the capital of Serbia. Heading motto of this year's meeting was "Challenge of Changes" and about 200 students and young people from all around Europe, as well as Serbia, gathered to take part in interactive workshops and discussions and hear some interesting lectures on present-day topics. Also ISWiBers had a chance to spend a whole week in Belgrade, to meet its citizens, Serbian culture, customs, tradition as well as its modern way of living and thinking.

Participants have been chosen according to their on-line application through the official web site of the festival - www.iswib.org. Educational part was divided in 10 workshops: Art and Culture, Environmental Protection, Economics, Health, Human Rights, Media, Society, Youth Activism, Photography and Filmmaking. Workshop leaders were postgraduate students, experienced trainers, international experts and university professors. There were also two open lectures and panel discussion - "Youth and global economic crisis".

Education and Fun

After working part, all the participants could join some free activities - Belgrade tour, sports day at Ada Ciganlija (Belgrade lake), national evening in famous Skadarlija street and parties every evening in Belgrade clubs and boats on the river. The central event was Country Fair, where ISWiBers had their national stands and could present their culture, customs, food and drink. The spirit of ISWiB was everywhere and positive vibrations from this international community could feel miles and miles away.

The most important goal was achieved with creating new contacts, meeting new friends and planning some future projects. Every workshop had to prepare its final presentation for the last day of student week and it was creative and funny pieces on the stage in Dom omladine. Some of their products you can see in Facebook group of Media workshop.

Background

International Student Week in Belgrade 2009 was held for the third time, following the first two that took place in 2006 and 2007. The project is made by students and youth organization "World Youth Wave" from Belgrade, Serbia. ISWiB 2009 partners are also students and youth organizations from Serbia - Students Cultural Center Belgrade, Green Youth Serbia and Anti Trafficking Center and abroad - Youth Informative Agency Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zveza študentskih klubov Slovenije (Slovenia), Liga studentilor din Facultatea de Automatica si Calculatoare Timisoara (Romania), and more... This year the whole project was under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Terry Davis.