"GOOD NEWS DRUMMERS" IN BUJANOVAC AND VRANJE

19. February 2021.

Bujanovac, Vranje – During December 2020, "Group 484" hung out with secondary school students from Bujanovac and Vranje at online workshops, which were held from December 11 to 13.

In Bujanovac and Vranje, "city secrets", or interesting facts about those cities and the personalities that had contributed to positive changes in them and their cultural abundance, were studied. It was established that great heroes were those who had significantly contributed to the development of those cities over time, and then the focus was placed on modern challenges in a pandemic situation and on the "little heroes" of today, or on all people who do something good and encouraging for their community in a situation that is hard for everyone. The secondary school students focused on gathering good news from the community, which send a message of solidarity, encouragement and cooperation or are witty and optimistic.

Upon the workshops, such bits of news were collected and "published" in the city squares and in the streets and parks. The “Group 484” selected four young persons for the street campaign "Good News Drummers". They equipped themselves with costumes and drums and went into action to encourage their fellow citizens by reading the good news about "little heroes and heroines". The reading began with the slogan: "We are fixing bad things, we are good news drummers!", while the good reaction of the citizens led them to repeat their announcements several times during the day and in several places.

The program is implemented by the "Group 484" as part of the joint regional program "Dialogue for the Future: Improving Dialogue and Social Cohesion" between the Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and funded by the UN Peace-Building Fund (UN PBF).

Source: Civic Initiatives and Coordination Body