Learning for Democracy: The Case of Student Blockades in Serbia

In 2021, the Active Democratic Citizenship and Adult Learning network organized a series of online dialogues entitled The Pulse of Freedom: Learning from Experiments in Democracy. At this moment, we are witnessing a very real "pulse of freedom," as Serbia is currently in the grips of the largest student rebellion and subsequent civilian mobilization in the country’s history (Milosavljević, 2025). However, the movement which has mobilized the majority of academia, as well as teachers in both primary and secondary schools, remains largely invisible in the mainstream European media. As a result, the movement remain relatively unknown outside of Serbia.

We wish to hold a dialogue to hear what is happening in Serbia, to understand some of what is being learnt through this struggle and the implications this has for thinking about democracy and education.

The blockades began after the collapse of the newly renovated canopy at the Novi Sad train station, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people, deaths for which no one has yet been held accountable. A collective 15-minute silence was organized at major crossroads to pay tribute to the victims. During this moment of silence, some students were physically attacked in front of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. Students from that Faculty were the first to announce blockades, and gradually, other faculties joined in united by four demands calling for the rule of law and independent institutions.

Students at each faculty are organized through directly democratic plenums, which prevent the emergence of individual leaders (Milosavljević, 2025). This structure helps to maintain the democratic nature of the movement and protects individuals from being singled out and targeted by the state. So far, the movement has awakened solidarity, togetherness, empathy, and courage among citizens. People are undergoing a collective transformation, and a key aspect of this is the disappearance of fear. One of the most important student initiatives has been organizing walks to cities where large protests have taken place. Since national media does not serve the public interest, students decided to walk across Serbia to bring information directly to the people. These walks created moving encounters - citizens greeted students with applause, food, hugs, and tears. Photographs of elderly people showing love and support to the younger generation spread widely on social media, creating a new sense of reality and hope for a just and democratic society. It has been a remarkable period and it has even been argued “what the Serbian students are doing is nothing less than restoring democratic hope in a country that has seen too little of it – and at a time when it is crumbling worldwide” (Zaharijević, 2025)?

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When: 29th April, 2025, 10 15 - 11 50

Where: online, the link will be sent to the registered participants