Report of the last days of the Liberté, Égalité, Solidarité! 2.0 Gathering in Palić (3–4 December)

09 Dec Report of the last days of the Liberté, Égalité, Solidarité! 2.0 Gathering in Palić (3–4 December)

The final days of the program in Palić brought together reflection, learning, and shared time in a calmer rhythm. On the morning of 3rd of December, after breakfast, we headed out for a walk around Palić Lake. The peaceful setting created space for informal conversations, connection, and a moment of rest after the intensity of earlier discussions. The walk allowed participants to take in the natural landscape of the area while continuing exchanges that flowed naturally from their ongoing collaborations and shared experiences.

Later, we gathered for a lecture by Olga Kavran, who presented the details of a consortium program dedicated to enhancing accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine. She outlined the project’s objectives, focusing on strengthening institutions and meeting the capacity-development needs of key stakeholders engaged in the pursuit of justice—among them prosecutors, police officers, judges, journalists, and civil society organizations. Kavran highlighted both the challenges and the essential role of coordinated international support in ensuring justice for wartime atrocities.

The program concluded on the evening of 3rd December with a music program featuring Jasna Jovićević, a saxophonist, composer, and improviser, recognized for her innovative work in contemporary jazz, free improvisation, and experimental music; and Predrag Okiljević, a Novi Sad–based saxophonist and improviser, who has been an active presence on the regional music scene for over a decade, performing with ensembles such as the Novi Sad Big Band and collaborating with numerous local and international musicians. Their performance provided a reflective, intimate, and celebratory conclusion to the Liberté, Egalité, Solidarité! 2.0 gathering, leaving participants with a memorable and inspiring final moment of 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 credit: Roland Bajari