When was the last time that you went three days without being able to use your cell phone or access internet?  Well that was me this weekend in Leskovac (pronounced Les-ka-witz).  In Leskovac, I attended a three day conference hosted by Women in Black Belgrade and attended by individuals from the larger Women in Black Network.  We left Friday morning by car and got plenty lost before finally finding our way to Leskovac.

Upon arrival, we met with activists from the WIB Network and participated in an anti-military demonstration.  This demonstration consisted of activists holding banners promoting peace, illustrating the hierarchical nature of the military and showing that the military can be broken down.  During the demonstration, WIB created a pyramid using boxes that listed names of various war-torn countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, The Sudan, etc.  One by one, activists removed a box from the pyramid until it eventually tumbled down, conveying that militarism can be conquered.

After this show of anti-militarism, WIB activists marched around town exhibiting other symbols of peace.  For example, at one point they walked under a caterpillar costume, each activist being a bump of the caterpillar.  Through this the activists were illustrating that while peace processes may be slow, peace does eventually come and win over evil.  The activists also displayed a military parachute that was decorated with peace symbols illustrating that the military should be rebuilt into an instrument of peace.

After this creative demonstration ended, we packed ourselves into a bus and headed up into the mountains to reach our hotel, where we also lost all connectivity with the outside world.  We spent the rest of the day attending a WIB workshop on alternatives to militarism.  During the workshop, we broke into groups and debated what alternatives to militarism that countries could use and discussed them with the larger network that was present.  The international attendees, including me, tried to participate as much as we could with the help of translators.  Whoever told me that I didn’t need to learn Serbian to come to Belgrade was wrong. J  I’m hoping to learn enough to get around in the next few weeks.

Workshops continued for the rest of the weekend and engaged women and male activists from the network.  But the highlight of the weekend was the party held on Saturday night.  That’s when the women of WIB let loose and danced the night away.  Since the majority of the women are in their fifties and sixties, I didn’t expect much dancing to go on.  But they surprised me.  There was definitely more hip-shaking than I expected.  I was shocked by how much energy they all had, but another activist explained to me that their energy came “from their pain.”

So on Sunday, after a few more workshops, our weekend in Leskovac came to an end.  Before it was over, Donna and I got invited to the homes of many activists whom we could stay with while doing work outside of Belgrade.  We’re going to be interviewing many WIB activists, both in and outside of Belgrade, so we’ll probably be taking them up on their offers soon.  I’ll keep you updated on how it goes!

I landed in Belgrade yesterday and I’m currently sitting in the Women in Black (WIB) office!  I haven’t seen too much of the city yet but have gotten glimpses on the way from the airport and on the way to the office.  It seems like a nice city but it will take some time to get used to and some time to get to know my way around.  I can already tell that it will be a challenge being a pescetarian here!

Donna (my co-fellow) and I are currently staying with Jennifer, who also works at Women in Black.  We are going apartment hunting today and tomorrow and hoping to have something set by this weekend.  But let’s see how long it takes.

I slept for about 12 hours last night to get over my jet-lag, but I’m apparently still tired.  I think it’ll take a few days to get adjusted.  But right now I’m enjoying a cup of black coffee (another thing that will take me time to get used to!) that was just given to me.  In Belgrade it is assumed that if you’re at the office, you want a cup of coffee at multiple points in the day.

I came into the office briefly yesterday but today will be my first full day.  I’m going to be spending a good part of my day reading through Women in Black’s literature to get myself more acquainted with the organization.  I have yet to meet Stasa, who founded the Belgrade division of Women in Black, but I have met other office staff and I’m already looking forward to working with them.  Once I meet and sit down with Stasa, my priorities and responsibilities for the next two months should become clearer.

But I’m already excited for this weekend because we’ll be making a trip with WIB to South Serbia on Friday.  WIB will be conducting street performances and a series of educational seminars on militarism and women’s fight against militarism around the world.  Donna and I will be documenting their efforts this weekend and bringing them to light in the U.S.  I can’t wait to see, and be part of, my first Women in Black on-the-street demonstration!

I’m sure I’ll have lots to share with you this weekend from South Serbia, and even next week once I’m all settled in and have time to explore Belgrade.  Will keep you posted!

Street Corner

Street Corner

I have had the honor of being selected as a 2009 Peace Fellow for The Advocacy Project (AP).  Through this fellowship I will have the opportunity to intern with an anti-violence woman’s organization called Women in Black, located in Belgrade, Serbia.  This fellowship will allow me to have many experiences that I have wanted.  First, it will give me the opportunity to work for an organization dedicated to both the empowerment of women and to the enhancement of their role in peace processes.  Second, it will provide me with international experience in a country that has suffered from tumultuous times and that is still recovering from bad leadership and genocide.  Finally, it will provide me with my first practical experience in the non-profit and human rights sectors.

I’m currently in Washington DC for AP training and I’m really excited to start working for Women in Black next week.  I leave on Monday, June 1st for my flight to Belgrade.  I won’t deny that I’m starting to get some jitters about being away from home for two and a half months.  But at the same time, I’m sure this trip will be a wonderful experience and a great chance to learn remarkable things about the human rights field.  It will also be an enhancement to the Masters in Global Affairs that I’m currently attaining at New York University.

I hope you will follow me and my experiences in Belgrade through this blog.  A major objective of mine is to spread awareness about the women of Serbia and the ambitions they have for their country.  By taking the time out to read this blog, you will be helping me realize my goal.  I arrive in Belgrade on June 2nd and plan on blogging soon upon arrival.  Stay tuned!

Looking forward to my trip!

Belgrade, Serbia