VLADIMIR
MONTENEGRO
23 YEARS
"The biggest achievement to me is the number of people
I have reached
with my work."
Hailing from the quaint coastal municipality of Petrovac, Vladimir could not have asked for a more idyllic setting for his upbringing. Surrounded by the serene embrace of the sea, he enjoyed the benefits of a childhood secured in a comfortable and tranquil hometown. Up until today, Petrovac and its people serve as an anchorage to Vladimir that allows him to embark on his remarkable journey.
Nowadays, Vladimir lives in Podgorica, the bustling capital of Montenegro, where he is pursuing a degree in Political Science. He is the Secretary General of the Youth Network of Montenegro and a member of the Supervisory Board of the High School Student Union. Moreover, in his little free time he loves to be on the volleyball court, where he currently serves as a referee. Back in his high school days he was also drawn to be on the theatre stage, where his charisma allowed him to transform even supporting roles into leading ones.
What may seem like a wide-ranging, bubbly field of interests, Vladimir combines into a unique skill set to navigate the political arena. To achieve success in activism, it is necessary to possess not only the unwavering will to stand up for one‘s beliefs, it also necessitates the will to make oneself visible and to feel at ease facing the public eye. Nevertheless, and most important is a powerful sense of justice to serve the greater good. Vladimir acquired all these abilities both on stage and in sports during his tenure in high school. When he became the president of the high school parliament himself and got in a position where he could listen and be the driver of certain transformations, it became clear to him that he wanted to continue this work even after his high school year ended.
To Vladimir the youth are the most important pillar of any change, not only in the future, but right now in the present moment. It´s something he tries to convey to the young people he works with too. “If you want things to be different, you have to make the change. If we don´t do it, nobody will do it for us.”
In response to a query regarding the Berlin Process, he immediately cites RYCO, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office that operates as an autonomous institutional entity, established by the Western Balkans Six participants. He considers this organization to be one of the most successful in terms of fostering connections among young activists.
In the context of the Berlin Process it is crucial to celebrate the wins, while also examining the challenges that persist. One such issue is the lack of opportunities available to the younger generation. The prospect the European Union integration offers in addressing these challenges is one of the primary reasons for Vladimir‘s enthusiasm.
In terms of his personal goals for the future, Vladimir has a clear answer. He wants to be of service to his fellow citizens. What may seem like a political statement, comes from the heart. From the outset of his activism, from secondary school to university, up to the National Youth Council, he has consistently endeavoured to assist young people, to listen to their concerns and to facilitate positive change for the better.
