Around 280 students participated today in the Parliament of Montenegro in a simulation of the work of parliament, as part of the “Student Voice in Parliament” project, during which they had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and consider the Draft Law on the Protection of Children in Digital Space.
The project was organized in cooperation with the University of Montenegro, at the initiative of the Office of the President of the Parliament Andrija Mandić, with the financial support of the European Commission through the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” (CERV) program.
The aim of the project is to introduce students to the work of parliament, strengthen the political literacy of young people and encourage their active participation in decision-making.
Opening the activities, Mandić said that more than 200 students had the opportunity to speak with MPs in the Parliament about topics important to young people for the first time.
He emphasized that it is important for young people to get to know the system from the inside, enter the assembly halls, and feel the importance of the role of their representatives in making decisions that shape society.
He called on students to get involved in politics and reminded that around 60 of them will take on the roles of MPs, while MPs will be their mentors. According to him, this is an opportunity for practical learning about parliamentary processes.
Mandić also reminded that the Assembly recently formed a Youth Committee, to which students can submit their questions.
During the first day of the project, students spoke with the Deputy Speakers of the Parliament Nikola Camaj and Boris Pejović, as well as MPs Jelena Nedović, Uglješa Urošević, Vladimir Bakrač, Dejan Đurović, Zoran Mikić, Bojana Pićan and Andrija Nikolić.
Topics of discussion included student services and student employment, mental health, student activism, and extracurricular activities.
Secretary General of the Parliament Boban Stanišić said that such projects show that the parliament is not the home of only 81 members of parliament, but of all citizens of Montenegro, especially young people and students.
He said that institutions shape the political culture of society and emphasized the importance of the professional administration behind the work of parliament.
Student Ombudsman of the University of Montenegro Maša Jovanović, on behalf of the Student Parliament, assessed that the project represents an important step forward in strengthening the participation of young people in public life, as it enables them to express their views and propose policies.
She emphasized that the choice of the Bill on the Protection of Children in Digital Space was not accidental, as this issue concerns current and future generations. She said that students are ready to be collaborators and peer educators in this process.
The working part of the simulation began with a session of the Committee for Human Rights and Freedoms, where students, in the role of members of that body, considered the proposed solutions within the first reading of the law. They were assisted in their work by the Chairman of the Committee Artan Čobi, MPs Jelenka Andrić and Radinka Ćinćur, as well as Andreja Mihailović, a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro.
Students then learned in parliamentary caucuses, with the support of mentors from among the MPs, how caucus positions are formed and amendments are prepared in practice.
After the committee and plenary debate, they voted on the bill as a whole, thus concluding the mock legislative process. An evaluation of the event followed, and students were awarded certificates of participation.
The Parliament announced that the project is part of an effort to bring the parliament closer to young people, increase their understanding of democratic processes, and encourage more active participation in public life.
