As part of the project The Future of Freedom of Information in Serbia, Partners Serbia organized two student debates on 21 and 22 May 2019, in Novi Sad and Nis. Law students and journalists in Novi Sad debated about transparency of judicial authorities and the limits of privacy in media reporting, while the law students in Nis debated on the topic of paying gratitude to medical staff in the context of corruption.

Students of Faculty dr Lazar Vrkatic, Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, Faculty of Law in Nis and Faculty of Philosophy in Nis participated in the debate.

The goal of this debate cycle, which Partners Serbia has been organizing since the beginning of the year, is to contribute to a better understanding of important social values: democracy, rule of law, accountability and freedom of speech. Also, the purpose of the debate is to encourage students to express their views on these topics and participate in activities and initiatives that help the protection of these values ​​in their local communities.

The debates are part of the project that Partners Serbia are implementing in cooperation with the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) and Law Scanner, which is supported by the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia. The Project aims to actively involve civil society organizations and young people (primarily students) in defending the public’s right to know, in order to ensure the use of transparency and accountability standards in Serbia. In addition, through strengthening mechanisms for citizen participation and free media reporting, the Project promotes and supports the rule of law, primarily in the context of European integration, thus contributing to the reform process and the entire process of democratization of society.

Three more debates will be organized within the Project.