Help Danes understand Serbia

by katja on June 1, 2012

Hi everyone,

I am writing a new blog post for Jyllands-Posten (a large Danish daily newspaper) about Serbia’s new President Nikolic and I wanted to try an experiment.

I want to give Danish readers an opportunity to hear directly from the people of Serbia (and those foreigners who live and work here).

Rather than rely on the opinions of my coffee circle, taxi drivers, students and husband, I want to invite all of you to contribute your comments and thoughts on the new President and the current political situation.

Feel free to comment right here, or email mail securely (see  http://www.katjalarsen.com/contact )

Here are a few starter questions, but feel free to expound on any aspect of the situation as long as it is relevant to Serbia’s national political situation.

  1. Why did/didn’t you vote for President Nikolic?
  2. Is there any substantial difference between Tadic and Nikolic
  3. What do you think of the prospect of Tadic as prime minister with Nikolic president
  4. Who paid for the massive election campaigns of the main parties?
  5. What is the most important political issue for you? The state of the economy, political corruption, joining the EU or the welfare of Serbs in Kosovo
  6. Is it true the main parties are corrupt (embezzling money, controlled by foreign interests and oligarchs, collaborating with each other under the covers)
  7. What will happen if Serbia has a crisis like its near neighbour Greece?
  8. What will happen with Kosovo?
  9. Is there any fresh blood in the political system? Who are the rising stars? Who should we be watching?
  10. What does the future hold for Serbia?

Friends, please contribute more and speak up, in private by mail or right here.

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My students are going to Denmark!

by katja on April 28, 2010

Ever since arriving to take up my position at Belgrade University, I have been saddened that my students were unable to visit and study in Denmark.

I set about fixing that by creating a scholarship program for my student to study in Denmark. To fund it I needed a generous and open minded commercial sponsor.

I contacted Carlsberg here in Serbia, and I was stunned by their engagement, generosity and help.

I am delighted to announce today that the scholarship I have worked on for two years with Carlsberg has been formally announced.

Three of my students will be the first of many to travel to Denmark and study at Danish at prestigious Danish universities and institutions.

Over the next 5 years donate over €50,000 to this scholarship, allowing dozens of elite, deserving students of Danish students the opportunity of a lifetime to study in Denmark.

I would like to offer my sincere personal thanks to Carlsberg for helping to make this happen.

See also:

The Press Release from Calsberg -  Calsberg_Danish_Scholarship [PDF]

An announcement from the Danish embassy

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