Ethnocultural differences as a condition of a stable multicultural society
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) held a two-day training “Multiculturalism in Montenegro: Status Quo and Future Perspectives” aimed at promoting full equality and raising awareness of the Montenegrin public about the rights of minority peoples and other minority national communities and the importance of multiculturalism. .
The training was held at the Bianca Hotel in Kolasin, and was attended by representatives of minority peoples and other minority national communities, as well as representatives of the civil sector, with the aim of including actors working in this field. The lecturers at the training were the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms in Montenegro, Siniša Bjeković, MA, and a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences, doc. Dr. Danijela Vuković Ćalasan.
In her introductory address by the Director of CEDEM, Milena Bešić stated that CEDEM regularly conducts research aimed at pointing out certain changes in the political, legal and social spheres, but also persistent challenges and shortcomings that affect the protection of minority rights and minority national communities. . She pointed out that field research pointed to the need for more efficient implementation of minority policies in practice, citing: vagueness / vagueness of formulations of certain legal standards, socio-cultural environment in which minority policy is implemented, but also the influence of economic factors and the effect of individual characteristic of citizens on ethnic distancing.
In the first lecture, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro, Siniša Bjeković, M.Sc., referred to universal legal standards in protection against discrimination, and in that sense reminded of the most important international instruments for human rights protection with special reference to minority rights. He also spoke about human rights in the context of general principles, implementation of international standards and equal treatment clause, where he pointed out that there is still a problem of defining human rights, especially in terms of defining victims of human rights violations. He especially pointed out four criteria that must be met in order to meet the requirement of legitimacy of any restriction of human rights and freedoms. These are: 1. legitimacy (if prescribed by law), 2. legitimacy of the goal for which a certain right is limited (public interest in the protection of goods) 3. necessary social need and 4. Proportionality.
On the second day of the training, doc. Dr. Danijela Vuković Ćalasan introduced the participants to the concept of multiculturalism and identity, where she emphasized that building a common political identity is an integral part of successful management of ethnocultural pluralism. She emphasized the importance of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, with particular reference to Articles 1 and 2, which prescribe the value of ethnocultural pluralism. She also noted that a stable multicultural society successfully integrates two key principles: respect for and recognition of ethnocultural diversity at all levels and strengthening a common political identity.
