CENTER FOR THE AFFIRMATION OF FREE THOUGHT
SREMSKI KARLOVCI
SERBIA
About us
“Center for the affirmation of free thought” from Sremski Karlovci is a non-profit, non-political and non-government association of individuals whose work is based on the self-criticism and critical thinking of social and cultural phenomena that are aimed at the development of free thought and creative potential among young people. In its effort to provide an adequate starting base for the adoption of new cognitions and the extension of knowledge, CEZASM tries to present and consider all those problems that appear as insufficiently known or accepted within the contemporary societies. Founders of CEZASM believe that only through the exchange of points of view and experiences it is possible to provide quality conditions for the growth and development of individuals and society. That is why they are committed to the implementation of projects that for its purpose have: respecting democracy and its values, the promotion of the culture of dialogue, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, raising awareness of the necessity of personal, collective and mutual responsibility for establishing quality human relationships, respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms, the acceptance of gender equality, fostering multiculturalism and so on. As open space of criticism and affirmation CEZASM organizes public discussions, workshops, lectures, panels, seminars, conferences and similar activities. Because of that CEZASM gives a special attention to the establishment and development of local, regional and international cooperation. Besides the tendency to develop international connections, CEZASM also takes the interdisciplinary work as one of its main goals in order to achieve productive results.
Our main project:
Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci
The project “Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci” is intended to create a new academic platform for the exchange of ideas, plans and the results of theoretical research and practical work from different scientific, artistic and cultural perspectives among students and leading experts from Serbia and abroad. Aware of the fact that doctors of sciences, and only in rare cases, PhD students usually have the right to participate in scientific congress, symposiums and conferences, CEZASM has recognized the importance of giving the students of all levels of studies (bachelors, masters, postgraduates and PhD students) the opportunity to actively participate in this type of events. Also, having in mind the lack of regional and international cooperation among future academic workers, CEZASM has noticed the importance of connecting the students not just from different Universities in Serbia but also from Universities abroad. Beside the opportunity to present their work, the participants of “Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci” can attend the open lectures, discussions and roundtables within which the leading experts will present the results of their work, all of that within a given thematic framework of the Conference. In this way, active participants and the general public have an opportunity to interact with speakers in order to expend their knowledge.
In short, “Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci” is substantial for the following reasons:
- The establishment of the cooperation among the students of all levels of studies;
- The renovation of the cooperation on the regional and international stage;
- The promotion of interdisciplinary scientific research;
- The revival of quality and productive exchange of knowledge and experiences;
- The incitement of critical thinking, argumentative discussions and culture of open discourse;
- The advancement of actions that are not sufficiently represented in regular academic programs;
- The Encourage of the interest of the general public on issues which can contribute to the establishing a better society;
- The publication of the Journal.
Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci 5-7 June 2015
Days of free thought in Sremski Karlovci (Karlovački dani slobodne misli) is the first international interdisciplinary student forum, organized with the aim to promote science, culture and art, through various interrelated content (congress, public lectures, exhibitions, film festival, etc.). First Days of free thought is a part of the main project of the Center for the affirmation of free thought (Centar za afirmaciju slobodne misli – CEZASM) from Sremski Karlovci, headed by Andrea Ratkovic, the main conceptual designer and the president of the Organizing and Scientific Committee. CEZASM engages in the conceptualization and realization of projects having in focusing on reflection on the current socio-cultural phenomena and promotion and popularization of the culture of free thinking and creativity among young people.