Activities / News

The National Dialogue on Social Cohesion, held on September 17 and 18 in Podgorica, showed that dialogue can be much more than a conversation: it can be a process in which everyone contributes and takes responsibility.

The Dialogue brought together representatives of national and local institutions, civil society, academia, international organizations, and informal civic initiatives. Through panel discussions, interactive sessions, and group work, an open conversation was held on strengthening mutual trust, combating hate speech, and involving all parts of society in decision-making.

In the first panel on social cohesion and European integration, Ljudmila Popović from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights emphasized that “human rights make sense and can be lived and practiced only within a community.” The Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, Siniša Bjeković, reminded that “cohesion must be our binding strength, the force that gathers and unites us as a community.” Professor Gordana Đurović pointed out that “EU integration should strengthen cohesion, not create knots.” Jelena Gluščević from the Center for Children's Rights reminded of the potential and resources that children and youth bring, as well as the importance of including their voices and perspectives in dialogues such as this.

The second panel on strengthening cohesion through local dialogues brought together representatives from Bar, Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, as well as a young local dialogue participant from Podgorica. They agreed that the Local Dialogues, organized last year in five municipalities, were more than words. Naser Resulbegović from the Municipality of Ulcinj described the Local Dialogue as a process to which everyone contributed, but also took their share of responsibility, offering creative solutions to community challenges. Tanja Spičanović from the Municipality of Bar recalled the importance of togetherness and how people - both for themselves and for the good of the whole community - need one another. Miloš Kljajević from the Municipality of Bijelo Polje emphasized that key processes in communities should be shaped by the citizens themselves, not by waiting for “decisions from above.” Ivana Nedović from the Union of Municipalities stressed that such dialogues are an excellent platform through which municipalities gain direct insight into the real needs of different categories of citizens. A young participant of the Podgorica Local Dialogue, Dunja Mićunović, concluded that the greatest significance of the Dialogue - and also the most pleasant surprise - was that she felt the voices of children and young people were heard, and their opinions and ideas respected equally with those of adults.

Initiatives of informal citizen groups supported by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO were presented, and we are particularly proud of several initiatives developed through the Social Cohesion Innovation Lab, within which citizens, with UNDP support, turned challenges into solutions:

• In Bar, the digital tool eDiary helps victims of cyber violence anonymously record emotions, enabling counselors to provide better support without retraumatization.

• In Podgorica, a group of enthusiasts addresses the digital exclusion of older citizens.

• In Pljevlja, FC Breznica gives a new role to retired athletes by training them to work with youth.

• In Ulcinj, young theater artists spark civic activism through stand-up comedy and independent theater.

• In Bijelo Polje, the NGO Nova žena drew attention to the challenges faced by women with disabilities from rural areas when accessing the urban labor market.

These are not just projects - they are symbols of what happens when trust and creativity replace indifference and division. Only some of the initiatives supported through the Social Cohesion Innovation Labs in Bar, Podgorica, Ulcinj, Pljevlja, and Bijelo Polje were presented.

Organized ahead of the International Day of Peace, the Dialogue confirmed that social cohesion is not a slogan, but a shared responsibility, vision, and strength that holds communities together. That is why the group work during the second day of the Dialogue had special value, when participants, together with representatives of local and national institutions, moved from dialogue to action by analyzing systemic challenges and formulating concrete recommendations. Based on the conclusions from the five local dialogues and the results of the group discussions, practical and applicable measures will be developed to build a more inclusive and cohesive society.

During the presentation of the groups, each of which dealt with one of the challenges identified during the local dialogues, the following recommendations and strong joint messages were highlighted:

1. Hate speech, polarizing narratives, and discrimination - hate speech particularly affects vulnerable groups, but for the well-being of the entire community, a determined and joint fight against it is necessary.

2. Strengthening cooperation channels between citizens and institutions - when decisions important to the community are being made, it is essential to include all citizens, especially young people, through mechanisms such as local participatory budgeting.

3. Unemployment - it is crucial to establish cooperation between corporations, academia, and relevant institutions, along with employment policies that are inclusive and consistently implemented.

4. Youth challenges - mandatory consultations with youth must become the rule, as their voices must be present in all decision-making processes.

5. Peer violence - prevention and combating peer violence begin with education and the active involvement of adults who work with children and youth on a daily basis.

6. Social divisions - overcoming social divisions is key to strengthening social cohesion and building trust among citizens.

7. Culture and tourism - the development of digital solutions, such as interactive maps within a mobile application, can help citizens discover the beauty and cultural heritage of Montenegro in an easy and approachable manner. 

8. Education - forming local children’s parliaments in all cities is crucial for education through active participation and learning about democracy.

The conversation does not end here. Building cohesion is a continuous process - and it starts with each of us.

Every community, every citizen, every institution has its role in this process - and its voice in the dialogue.