Professors Smiljana Milinkov from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad and Dusan Aleksic from the Faculty of Philosophy in Nis, who support the student blockades, told N1 that the support of professors means a great deal to students, as it provides them with a sense of security and builds trust. Aleksic is particularly pleased that students have broken the stereotype of being inert, while Milinkov observes that the government is completely unaware of what the situation has come to: "The youth have awakened." Pročitaj više

„The image from yesterday at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nis is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in recent years. I believe that every Faculty of Philosophy is a bastion of democracy and critical thinking, and we as professors, especially in the field of social sciences, do not have the right to behave otherwise. We are preparing them for this world, as it is, and for the need to change it. If they have noticed a problem, if they have realized that the future ahead of them is not bright at all, and if they have identified numerous anomalies that have been occurring for years—whose consequences we are now intensely feeling—then we simply have no right not to support them,“ Aleksic emphasized.

He added that this is the first time students have undertaken such action, and their goals are both clear and noble.

Milinkov explained that since Monday, when the faculty was blocked, negotiations have been ongoing between the administration and the students.

The negotiations concern how the faculty’s administration will function, whether additional student demands regarding their operation will be met, and other related issues. After the last meeting, a statement was published on the faculty’s website stating that the administration supports the students’ demands but does not support the blockade itself, she explained.

„There is no more natural place for students to voice their demands and seek fulfillment of those demands than at the faculty itself,“ Milinkov stated.

She added that current negotiations include allowing the accounting department to operate so that November salaries can be paid, while disciplinary actions against professors supporting the blockade are frequently mentioned during negotiations.

„Many of my colleagues support both the blockade as a form of protest and the students’ demands. Some departments have openly declared their support for the students, while others have not made a statement. I go to the faculty every day, and our support means a lot to the students,“ Milinkov emphasized.

Aleksic agreed, stating that professors are a „safe haven from whom (students) expect support, as they are the ones who prepared them for the activism they are now undertaking for a very strong reason.“

The Faculty of Philosophy in Niš called on those in power to stop fueling conflicts and urgently take constructive steps to provide a way out of this dangerous societal crisis.

When asked what these constructive steps would entail, Aleksic said this means taking the students’ demands into account—finding those responsible, stopping the targeting, arresting, and intimidating their peers, as such actions are unacceptable.

„Young people are the future of this country and the core of our society. And yet they are being targeted in the worst possible way. There is nothing wrong, aggressive, or abnormal in their actions. They are simply fighting for their rights,“ Aleksic concluded.