Students blocking faculties at the University of Novi Sad have called on citizens to join them today, January 17, for a major protest titled “What Does Victory Mean?”, set to take place at 18:00 in Liberty Square (Trg slobode).
In statements to local media, the students said the protest aims to share the results of more than a year of activism and to present their vision for institutional mechanisms to combat corruption.
“We want to show citizens the ideas and principles that will guide us in the fight against corruption at an institutional level,” the students said, explaining that the protest is intended to mark the transition into a new phase of civic engagement.
According to the organizers, the rally will present what they described as “the first tangible signs” of what follows after over a year of joint struggle, emphasizing responsibility as the core value of their movement.
“Responsibility was the first word that united us. It became the foundation of trust that citizens placed in us to help steer society toward freedom, rule of law, and a healthier system,” the students stated.
Focus on Process, Not Just the End Goal
The organizers stressed that social change does not happen quickly or easily, underlining the importance of explaining the process rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
“This evening, we will slightly turn the helm and introduce some of the key principles and mechanisms for achieving accountability,” they said, adding that the protest will also outline future actions and upcoming events.
Program Centered on Speeches
The protest will follow a structured program, with a strong emphasis on speeches. While the identities of the speakers have not yet been disclosed, the students confirmed that both student representatives and expert speakers will address the crowd.
“The protest is designed around speeches — they are the central event. Alongside students, experts will explain our proposed mechanisms in a way that is accessible to everyone,” the organizers noted.
Students have also announced efforts to provide heaters at the venue to mitigate cold weather conditions. They encouraged residents of Novi Sad to attend in large numbers, saying there is strong public anticipation for the gathering.
Although the protest is expected to be relatively short due to weather conditions, organizers emphasized that it will serve as an introduction to a new phase of civic action, during which future initiatives will be announced.
