OSCE Mission to Serbia announces winners of its 2019 Person of the Year Award

BELGRADE, 26 November 2019 – The OSCE Mission to Serbia will present its 2019 Person of the Year Award at a ceremony today in Belgrade.  The recipients of this year’s award are: Bojan Cvejić, Web Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief at the daily Danas, Sonja Stonajović Gajić, member of the Managing Board of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCBP) and Aleksandar Ivanović, Director of the Citizen’s Association Monitor from Novi Pazar.

This award recognizes citizens of Serbia who contribute to the promotion of the OSCE values in the country. This year, the award focuses on youth as a means of enhancing security and stability in the OSCE region, and the importance of adapting to change.

Bojan Cvejić, Web Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief at the daily Danas, was responsible for the development of the digital edition of daily Danas, leading to its recognizable unique profile, different from the print edition.  He has significantly improved the digital/web and social media presence of the daily Danas by implementing skills and knowledge obtained in various media-related training courses organized by the OSCE. His accomplishments also include a fresh and novel approach to achieving self-sustainability of the daily Danas in a challenging, fast-changing technological environment. In his work, Cvejić combined, in a creative manner, quality and ethical journalism, entrepreneurial management and innovative perspective.

Sonja Stojanović Gajić, member of the Managing Board of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, is awarded for her dedication to promoting civilian oversight of the security sector in Serbia and youth inclusion in reform efforts. She performed a number of important roles, including as a member of the Gender Equality Council of the Ombudsperson and as co-chair of the Working Group for Chapter 24 within the National Convention of the EU. She has worked on numerous security initiatives including programmes introducing Serbia’s youth to research and reform efforts.

Aleksandar Ivanović, Director of the Citizen’s Association Monitor and Professor of Law from Novi Pazar, is a promoter of holistic initiatives in the fields of rule of law and human rights. Ivanović has made significant contributions in educating future generations on the rule of law, particularly incorporating clinical legal education and practical learning opportunities into students’ educational experiences. He initiated numerous projects and research initiatives aimed at combatting hate crimes, promoting multiculturalism and non-discrimination while fostering youth inclusion and co-operation among young people across the region.