08 Dec Report of the first days of the LIBERTE, EGALITE, SOLIDARITE! 2.0 Forum in Palić (1–2 December)
The first two days of our gathering in Palić set an inspiring tone for the rest of the program, combining learning, exchange, and shared experience in a warm and supportive atmosphere. Our participants from Serbia and Ukraine arrived on December 1st and, after settling in, we spent the afternoon exploring Subotica — a city whose unique architectural heritage immediately captured everyone’s attention.
During a relaxed stroll through the center, we took in the city’s famous Vienna secession (Art Nouveau) style, visiting key spots such as the City Hall and the Cathedral of St. Teresa of Avila. The walk naturally turned into an informal exchange about the very different but often overlapping ways our two countries carry the legacies of conflict.
After the walk, the group visited the NGO “Klara and Rosa” which welcomed us into their space and introduced their work, community initiatives, and the history of civic engagement in Subotica. Their perspective on local organizing, minority rights, and grassroots activism provided a valuable contextual anchor for the days ahead.
The official opening of the forum took place on December 2nd with welcoming words from the representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine and the Embassy of Canada, Dmytro Halchenko and Vladan Miladinović respectively, both of whom emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation, solidarity, and support in times of war and rising authoritarianism. Representatives of KROKODIL Association also greeted the participants, highlighting the organization’s long-term commitment to regional dialogue, peacebuilding, and strengthening grassroots initiatives. Their messages set an encouraging and supportive tone for the days ahead.
Afterwards, the forum participants took part in a 1-on-1 introduction in a “speed-dating” format, designed to help them get to know each other in a fun and dynamic way. This activity helped them connect quickly and meaningfully before continuing with the work in groups.
In the afternoon, the program went on with Nađa Bobičić’s presentation in which she explored how the generation born during the 1990s interprets the legacy of the Yugoslav wars through feminist artistic and activist work. Nađa offered a nuanced overview of feminist books, visual art, and critical texts produced over the last two decades, showing how young creators revisit inherited trauma and transform it into forms of resistance. Her talk also mapped the history of feminist antimilitarist cooperation in the region, drawing a clear line between past organizing and the new activist energies that continue this legacy today.
The afternoon continued with a conversation between Aida Ćorović and Vladimir Arsenijević, which quickly became one of the most impactful sessions of the day. Aida spoke candidly about her long-standing antiwar activism, the pressures and hostility she faces in an increasingly authoritarian social climate, and the personal resilience required to challenge warmongering narratives embedded in Serbia’s political mainstream. Vladimir’s questions opened space for a powerful, intimate dialogue on courage, fatigue, solidarity, and the emotional labor of dissent. Many participants described this conversation as a rare and much-needed moment of honesty, grounding, and connection.
The LIBERTE, EGALITE, SOLIDARITE! 2.0 project responds to the urgent need for strengthened cooperation between Serbian and Ukrainian women’s grassroots organizations, initiatives, NGOs, and activists in the face of the social challenges produced by the ongoing war. By facilitating cross-border exchange, feminist solidarity, and practical collaboration, the initiative aims to empower those working on the frontlines of social justice, peacebuilding, and community resilience. The project is implemented with the support of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
Photo credits: Szofi Szerda
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