SPUMNE: Conference “KOMPASS – Together We Drive Change” Officially Opened
At a time when society is changing faster than ever before, students have the responsibility not only to observe these changes but to lead them through leadership and activism — this was the key message at the opening of the Conference on Youth Partnership, Activism, and Student Cooperation, organized by the Student Parliament of the University of Montenegro (SPUCG) in cooperation with the University of Montenegro.
The President of SPUCG, Jakov Vukčević, emphasized that this first-ever conference is not merely an academic gathering, but an opportunity to build bridges, strengthen friendships, and channel student energy toward positive social change.
“Activism and student cooperation are not just words we use in everyday conversation — they are our motto, our strength, and the driving force behind our initiatives,” said Vukčević.
Speaking about the role of students in contemporary society, he stressed that young people must be active participants in the processes of change.
“Society is changing faster than ever before, and this calls for change in the context of student leadership and activism as well. It is our responsibility to contribute to those changes — not just to observe them, but to create them,” he added.
According to him, the goal of the conference is to provide participants with practical tools and skills to identify opportunities, organize events, create initiatives, and improve student and community life. During the conference in Petrovac, students will attend lectures and workshops focused on developing activism and leadership.
“The most important lesson I want you to take away is that one student can start a change, but together we can make it happen. Our strength lies not just in numbers, but in our ability to cooperate and support each other,” Vukčević told participants.
He reminded attendees that throughout history, student initiatives have often been catalysts for major social, political, and cultural change.
“Our responsibility is not only to study, but also to identify problems, create sustainable solutions, and fight for their realization,” he said.
The conference opened with a lecture titled “Effective Student Leadership – Good Practices,” led by SPUCG alumni Andrej Vukčević and Rajko Golović.
Jakov Vukčević highlighted that leadership is “a very complex and serious matter” that should not be reduced to holding a formal position.
“Being a leader does not mean holding a title. Many people have positions but are not leaders. A true leader is someone who understands that leading people is, above all, a great responsibility,” he said.
He added that a leader must possess character, initiative, and readiness to take responsibility, and must never lose touch with those they represent.
“A leader’s effectiveness is measured by the results and the changes they bring to the community. Those changes may not be visible immediately, but if you lay foundations that others can build upon — you have succeeded,” he noted.
Reflecting on the importance of student engagement, he recalled the 2011 student protests, whose results, he pointed out, are still visible today.
“One of the outcomes of those protests was the Professional Training Program, which is still in use today. This shows how genuine and serious student engagement can have long-term effects,” he said.
According to Vukčević, the greatest strength of the student movement lies in unity:
“A leader cannot achieve anything alone if not surrounded by people who share the same values and goals. I have always felt safest among those who believed in the same ideas and were ready to defend them together.”
He also spoke about the role of student organizations in improving the Law on Higher Education and aligning study programs with labor market needs.
“When we started pointing out the mismatch between education and labor market demands five years ago, many saw it as a distant issue. Today, it’s a top priority. We managed to introduce legal solutions that give students more autonomy in shaping their academic and professional development,” Vukčević explained.
He concluded by saying that the future of student leadership lies in combining traditional values of responsibility and solidarity with modern forms of communication.
“If you recognize a problem and choose not to ignore it — but to try to change it — you are already on the right path to becoming a leader,” he said.
Rajko Golović shared his years of experience representing students both nationally and internationally through his work with the European Students’ Union (ESU).
He noted that transitioning from the national to the international level of student organization required stepping out of his comfort zone.
“While national leaders focus on issues such as higher education laws, student standards, loans, housing, and cultural participation, international engagement shifts the focus to public policy and global topics — such as university autonomy, education quality, inclusion of marginalized groups, and solidarity among student movements across countries,” Golović explained.
He pointed out that international work involves more formal communication, and that business culture, perception of authority, deadlines, and priorities differ greatly from country to country.
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that a leader is not the one who has the last word, but the one who listens and creates a space where every voice is valued,” he said.
Golović also highlighted the challenge of balancing national interests with institutional obligations to international organizations.
“That balance is achieved through understanding and open communication — by being able to talk with people from different backgrounds and systems,” he explained.
He also reflected on the difficulties faced by international student organizations, especially in countries with limited academic autonomy or political pressure.
“We often encountered situations where we couldn’t even agree on basic concepts such as freedom of speech or political neutrality. At the same time, we faced pressure from European institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as from our own members. Despite all challenges, our shared goal remains the same — improving the status of students and enhancing the quality of higher education across Europe,” Golović concluded.