A 11 Initiative has successfully concluded the fifth edition of the School of Economic and Social Rights by awarding certificates to participants from Serbia and the region.
Participant interest in this school cycle was high, with around one hundred applications from Serbia and the region. Through the selection process, 30 participants were given the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in fields of labor rights, the right to healthcare and education, the right to social protection, and the right to adequate housing.
From November 2024 to the end of February 2025, participants had the opportunity to attend lectures (both in person and online) from local and international experts, as well as from members of organizations and activist groups in broader areas of economic and social rights. The legal team of the A 11 Initiative also shared their field experiences from working with beneficiaries, as well as from numerous legal battles with decision-makers.
Topics covered in this school cycle addressed the legal nature and place of economic and social rights (ESR) within the human rights protection system, the justiciability and protection system of ESR at the UN, social policy from several relevant perspectives, children’s rights, rights of persons with disabilities and women’s rights.
Additionally, issues of discrimination, the impact of digital technologies on rights, access to healthcare, as well as the criminalization of poverty, social housing, and the climate transition were thoroughly discussed.
The School of Economic and Social Rights is conducted as a weekend program aimed at those already familiar with the system, who are actively engaged in the fight for rights and justice. However, it is also open to those without prior experience but who have a strong desire to acquire new knowledge.
“Impressions are exceptional. I would gladly recommend others to apply in the next cycle, especially journalists, as I believe that each of us is a grain in society and should contribute to the respect for economic and social rights,” said our participant, journalist Milica Srejić from Vreme magazine, adding that this experience helped her realize where to find answers to many questions important to the wider public.
Social work and social policy student from Niš, Đorđe Mladenović, said he enjoyed both the lectures and the exchange of experiences.
“There were many people from social protection, which was especially valuable to me. Also, I wasn’t sufficiently familiar with the topic of social housing, especially in Belgrade, and gaining that knowledge was very important to me,” shared our participant, encouraging young people, particularly from southern Serbia, to apply in the next cycle.
Participant Jovana Latinski appreciated the organization of the School, as well as the selection of topics and lecturers.
“I liked that we had so many people from different fields – lawyers, social workers, students. We learned a lot not only from the lecturers but also from each other. I would invite all those interested to get more socially engaged and work together to raise awareness. It is important that we understand what economic and social rights are and how they can impact quality of life,” said our participant from Belgrade.
A 11 Initiative plans to organize the sixth edition of the School of Economic and Social Rights in November. For details on the application process and the program, follow A 11 – The Initiative for Economic and Social Rights on our official website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where we will publish all necessary information about the new lecture cycle.
A 11 Initiative thanks all the collaborators who participated in the implementation of this year’s program, as well as everyone who applied as participants and expressed their desire to join us.
We look forward to new connections in a few short months.