Milica is 28 years old. She works at an NGO focused on the protection of persons with disabilities, striving to improve their quality of life. She is a qualified social worker, holds a Masters in Politics, and is a mother of one child.
Milica believes that Serbia’s future lies in Europe, as it always has. ‘What Serbia actively seeks in politics are the values of the European Union. I don’t want to see it in the context of striving to belong; rather, we have already been a part of it for a long time. Europe embodies a definite heritage of values and civilization. All we need to do is adopt certain aspects of this civilization, and then any path in any direction will become clear, whether it leads to the EU or elsewhere. We would then become an example, not of the political affiliations we choose, but of the values and beliefs we have built as a nation.’
Milica takes pride in Serbia’s cultural identity. ‘I am proud of Serbia’s cultural identity because, despite the impact of globalization worldwide, our identity has remained intact, especially in terms of the solidarity among people. You can feel this solidarity and emotional bond among people on the streets, in schools, and even in politics. It’s palpable in everyday life, and I believe this is what sets Serbia apart from other countries I have traveled to, where there is often a sense of distance and coldness among people. These human connections are what make Serbia a wonderful place to live.’
On the negative side, she is concerned about the objective circumstances in the country. ‘What concerns me most are the objective facts, including the socio-political and cultural context that Serbia has experienced over the last 30 years, starting with the deprivations of war and all the negative aspects and effects that have emerged in our society as a result. It takes time to emerge from this challenging situation, to rebuild infrastructure, the workforce, buildings, and human relationships. The consequences of what has happened still linger. It will undoubtedly pose a challenge as we face the future because we did not start from a strong position to develop a society that can stand as an equal with the civilized world of the 21st century, compared to the developed countries of Europe and the world.’
Milica is resilient and quickly bounces back from life’s setbacks. When faced with adversity, she can see the light at the end of the tunnel, making difficulties bearable.
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