Milan Filipović from YUCOM, scholarship holder and civil society representative, actively participated in the first meeting of the MASTER CLASS “Regulating artificial intelligence: legal and ethical challenge”. This event brought together AI and regulatory experts to discuss key aspects of AI regulation. Participants also discussed the future of artificial intelligence and how to deal with the legal and ethical issues that arise with the increasingly widespread use of this technology.

Jovana Spremo, Advocacy Director at YUCOM, spoke at the round table “Process ofEuropean integration and policy towards minorities” organized by the Forum10 initiative from Novi Pazar. As part of the discussion, which was attended by representatives of independent institutions, national councils of nationalminorities and civil society, Jovana presented the current state of progress within Chapter 23, which concerns the protection and position of nationalminorities. She particularly emphasized how the process of Serbia’s accession to the EU can be used to improve the position of minority communities, as well as to encourage an environment for acceptance of diversity, reduction of hate speech and more meaningful and comprehensive integration.

Milan Filipović, Director of Research at YUCOM, participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion at the Belgrade Security Conference organized by our colleagues from the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP).  This year’s theme: “Reconstruction of Global (Dis)Order” couldn’t be more relevant.

Milan Filipović, Research Director at YUCOM, participated in the Regional Conference on Media Freedom, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists, which took place on September 15 in the UN building, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference brought together distinguished experts, journalists, and civil society representatives to discuss key issues concerning media freedom, the protection of journalists, the suppression of hate speech on the Internet, and the improvement of the safety of female journalists.

On July 6 and 7, 2023, Kristina Todorović, attorney at law from the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM, participated at the 19th coordination meeting in Vršac, which gathered representatives of competent state authorities and civil society organizations with the aim of preventing hate crimes in the Republic of Serbia. During the meeting, the project of the OSCE Mission in Serbia “Support to victims and witnesses of criminal acts in Serbia” was presented to the participants, with a special focus on activities related to advancing their rights and support to victims of hate crimes.

On June 24, 2023, YUCOM participated in the fourth meeting of the Women’s Network for Nature and Environmental Protection, held in Knić. During the event, Kristina Todorović, attorney at law from YUCOM, conducted a workshop titled “The Right to Activism: Legal Protection for Activists, Penalties, SLAPP, and other pressures”.

The pre-event, organized by the Human Rights House Foundation, Netherlands Helsinki Committee, and Austausch e.V. – For a European Civil Society (formerly DRA e.V.), with support from the European Union and the Netherlands, provided valuable insights into the role of civil society in promoting and protecting human rights.

Milan Filipović, Director of Research at the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) was one of the speakers at the webinar “User-Friendly Courts”. Organized by the International Association of Court Administration (IACA), the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Millennium Partners, and the East-West Management Institute, this event aimed to explore strategies for establishing accessible and inclusive justice systems.

YUCOM recently conducted a training in Novi Pazar in collaboration with the institution of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Protection of Personal Data. This training was part of the “Strengthening Rule of Law in the Republic of Serbia” program and aimed to educate authorized individuals responsible for protecting personal data from over 40 public institutions in Novi Pazar.