Global Changemakers

Hello everyone!

        My name is Tatjana Nikolić and I’m 18. I live in a small flat in Belgrade, Serbia.

        Republic of Serbia is continental country, located in Southeastern Europe, covering the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and part of Balkan peninsula. The country is often described as “the crossroads between East and West”, which is one of the primary reasons for its turbulent history. In Serbia live 8 million people and they are overwhelmingly adherents of the Serbian Orthodox Church, but also of other religions. Republic of Serbia is considered an upper-middle income economy. Serbia grows about one-third of the world’s raspberries and is the leading frozen fruit exporter. Tourism in Serbia is mostly focused on cultural heritage, the villages and mountains of the country, and I say those are really beautiful, I invite you all to come to Serbia and make sure… =) And Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and the largest city, was called “The city of future of South Europe”. I love my beautiful city…strolling, admiring and discovering new places, whether parks, galeries or cafes…  =)

        People who know me good usually think that my personality is something very complex and sometimes contradictory. But mainly I am considered as eloquent, responsible, honest, direct, ambitious, curious, stubborn, sociable, brave, emotional, kind and of course active person. I want to do, see, try many different things; I say what I think is right; it is not hard for me to wake up early, to learn or to help. But, I am not so good organizer of my time, so a day is really short for me and all my plans… 

        I attend forth, last grade in Tenth highschool in Belgrade. I have represented my high school in many different situations and open competitions, and have taken part in many actions and programs organized in my town. As a gratuating pupil in Serbia I have many many serious duties so people are used to ask how am I so brave or well organized to even try doing things other than finishing high school and preparing for University. And, it seems I will be preparing for two Faculties because I can’t decide which way I want my life to go – Culture and Theatre or science – Biology. We will see… =) 

        My lovely tiring family consider five of us – I have younger sister, and younger brother. And they are sooo difficult… I am joking of course, I love them very very much, but they are sometimes just too loud, like when I’m trying to write this properly, and they are both asking for computer. So you will excuse me for my potential mistakes.

Tatjana with her younger sister

        My name Tatjana dates from ancient Greek and it means something like „she who motivate, determines“, and that is pretty much what I do. I’m not satisfied with many things happening in my surroundings and in my country and I am disturbed with attitude of youth here in Serbia.That’s why I am engaged in non-govermental organisations which plead for human rights, tolerance, educaton, peaceful communication, youth activism and participation. One of them is Children Informative-Cultural Service – as an youth organisation associated in network of youth clubs and organisations in 10 cities in Serbia called “Living together”; my recent activities there have included organising and carrying out many workshops in secondary schools and youth clubs in Belgrade and other cities in Serbia, taking part in making researches, making contacts with different people, writing articles for youth magazine. Second one is NGO “Education +” where I learnt what is non-formal and peer education and where I became peer educator. So, I think I have relevant knowledge and know methods for its’ illustration in interesting and approachable way.

Children Informative Cultural Service in Lucerne, Switzerland

        Some of my other activities are related to saving environment, and fight against drug and alchohol abuse. I volunteered in Belgrade ecologic centre. Currently, an international educative program about climate changes is being implemented in my high school and I am serving in the capacity of First Coordinator. It is very hard and tiring because at the beggining I had to organize and do everything by myself. Young people are mainly unmotivated, uninterested, and indifferent to everything. They can be easy to manipulate with, by some neonacistic organizations or something simililar that they think would cover their truly inner problems, worries and complexes. But it won’t heal them. That is the moment where we, changemakers have to be strong and the best in our job.

        Recently, I joined to European Youth Parliament Serbia, and became one of recommended for international session in Stockholm on spring. Altought my activities go in many directions, I always do my assignments the best I can.

Team building at European Youth Parliament Serbia

        Young people, as we are, are also more succumbed to the influence of social acceptable behaviour. I am very annoyed by that modern trend of hypocrisy, insincerity, and false smile and cheer. So, I would like to be more activate in programs of direct empowering of youth, and I have some ideas for social, emotional and psychological development of youth, in the right direction. I am not some wonder-kind, that is capable and competent to bring some radical changes in this world alone. However, people around me are used to say that I have some potential and spirit of activeness, ambition and commitment. That is why I’ve always wished about meeting you guys, and now I am in a network of GLOBAL CHANGEMAKERS! I expect to learn a lot from all people I meet there in Guilford. Also, on the other side I want to express and present some of my ideas.

I want both – to speak and to hear what others have to say in Guilford Forum 2009.

Thanks people,

Tatjana