21 Sep EVERY LIFE ACHIEVEMENT STARTS WHEN YOU DARE!
„I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
Too often we talk about motivation, we explain it to others and to ourselves. Almost every day we try to influence other people, to motivate them to do something for themselves, for us or for a third person. Not far from Belgrade, in the heart of the three rivers of Great Morava, Danube, and Mlava, there is a town where those who did not have a fear of defeat were born. Place under the hill Čačalica, where Požarevac Peace was signed in 1718. The place where those who believed in their idea lived. They made it their lives. This is the way to the realization of dreams.
In Požarevac there is a creative and fun workshop for young people called UrbanStream. That’s us. An association formed from the expressed needs of students to have their place, a place where they can gather, socialize, educate, get various useful information. We are committed to creating a safe, positive and stimulating environment for the growth and development of children and young people. To this end, we have carried out various activities, programs and projects. But the action with which we are fighting every day is: “Do you consent to this day of life?” How will you use your potential in the best possible way? Do you give your maximum? Before enrolling in high school you are signing your name and surname, before surgery, before rafting you do the same. You sign CONSENT. You have chosen to take responsibility in your own hands. Responsibility for yourself, your actions, your behavior, your deeds. Yes, this day is just yours. BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR LIFE.
In order to encourage young people to engage in creating a cultural atmosphere of their city, we implemented the project “CREATIVE CITY ATELIER 17”. This project aimed at animating children and young people during the summer months towards creative expression and creativity, as well as the quality of leisure time in the city. Workshops for fine arts and applied arts have been realized. The workshops were led by associates of the association, with the help of 30 volunteers. The workshops were thematically determined and accordingly supported by partners, guests and volunteers. The cultural summer in the city needed an incentive and this was our contribution, through the work of 28 volunteers aged 13 to 19 years. Young people participated in the realization of creative workshops every week, making possible for their youngest citizens, young parents and peers to spend a quality summer evening in the city.
Wishing to encourage young people to be more and better informed about the opportunities that the city offers, we have created the “CITY-POSSIBILITY FOR YOUTH” program – the city for young people, young people for the city, through which we explore how many opportunities young people have and take part in social and cultural activities of our city. Young people can explore opportunities provided by their environment adapted to their age, use cultural content, visit social, public and cultural institutions, and create content that will illustrate their knowledge and present them through – Youth Guide through social opportunities of the city. Because we think that young people should actively contribute to building and nurturing social values and cultural development of their community.
Addressing the culture of security of young people as a significant aspect of the growth of every child and young person, we also did research in the local community as part of the project of peer support in the youth safety risks “KAŽI I TI, JER TI SMO MI!”, on the attitudes of young people on subjects such as: Internet security, peer violence, inadequate relationships and risky situations. The survey was conducted by 23 young people from four high schools, examining a total of 121 students. The young people presented the results of the polls, which brought together representatives of all secondary schools. It was one of the successful young people’s efforts carried out by our association, promoting the MLADI SU ZAKON program and youth volunteerism. However, our fight for safe youth behavior has just started.
We wanted to show the youngsters a guide on how to properly treat peers, young people and the elderly, when we want to motivate them to develop their skills of proper speech, when we want to create a safe and secure atmosphere for the development of children and young people, we say, “I have ONLY ONE SKIN! ” I have only one skin – for education!
I have only one skin – to love!
I have only one skin – to be respected!
I have only one skin – to live!
Let’s prove that each of us is worth it! Each of us is a unique set of individual peculiarities that make us special. Each of us deserves the right to live, work, be respected in front of the law, the right to association, parenting, education! Each of us is ourselves.
And one more important thing, if the way you choose does not work, do not change the goal – change the way. You have an infinite amount of them … this is ours!
ARE YOU READY TO GO INTO ACTION AND DISCOVER YOURSELF AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU? AND TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE WITH YOUR DECISIONS?
This story is a part of the aspirations of the TACSO Serbia and TACSO by Civic Initiatives to promote good practices of civil society organizations in Serbia and motivate other organizations that invest on daily basis their energy and efforts in creating a better society for all citizens of Serbia.