Serbian MPs visit Shaker High School class

LATHAM – Members of the National Assembly of Serbia visited Shaker High School on Monday, offering students a unique opportunity to learn more about Serbian politics and civic participation.

The event, held on September 16, was part of a program of the Congressional Office for International Leadership in partnership with the International Center of the Capital Region.

Students from Andrew Krakat’s Civic Engagement and Leadership class and Andrea Stupp’s Foreign Policy class participated in the panel, which included several Serbian parliamentarians, their interpreters, and two representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.

The visit provided students with the opportunity to interact with international lawmakers and explore how political systems differ from their own countries.

Holly Planells McKenna, executive director of the International Center of the Capital Region, introduced the panel and encouraged students to ask questions and engage with the visiting delegates. The parliamentarians provided insight into their political trajectories and the functioning of the Serbian government.

A notable highlight of the discussion was Serbia’s demand that election lists must consist of 40 percent women, with the aim of promoting gender equality in politics.

Dijana Radovic, a first-term member of the Socialist Party of Serbia, shared her experiences of entering politics to bring about positive change and encouraged students to make their voices heard.

“If we can’t say what our needs are, we can’t expect our needs to change,” Radovic said, highlighting the role of small communities in driving change.