Awards presented to winners of the competition marking 20 years of independence

Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović and Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Montenegro Jakov Devčić presented awards today to the winners of the competition "20 Years of Independence - 20 Years of Your Future".

According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI), the first prize in the literary competition was won by Andrej Barba, a student from the Secondary Medical School (SMŠ) "Danilo Kiš" from Budva, the second prize was won by Ema Perazić, a student from the Secondary Economic School "Mirko Vešović" from Podgorica, while the third prize was won by Vuk Janičić, a student from the Secondary Medical School "Ivan Goran Kovačić" from Herceg Novi.

It is added that an exhibition of all the artworks that entered the competition was also organized, among which the best-rated works took a special place.

The first prize went to the work of Ivana Živić, a student of the "Mladost" Secondary School from Tivat, the second prize went to Ajla Kurpejović, a student of the "30. septembar" Gymnasium from Rožaje, while the third prize went to Janko Orbović, a student of the "Stojan Cerović" Gymnasium from Nikšić.

The Ministry of Education and Science said that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation provided the prizes - one thousand euros for first place, 750 euros for second place, and 500 euros for third place.

Jakšić Stojanović pointed out that the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence is an opportunity to look into the future through the eyes of children.

"The goal of the initiative we implemented in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation was to open up space for young people to share their vision of Montenegro with us," said Jakšić Stojanović.

As she stated, the participants weaved emotions and love for their homeland into every word and every movement.

"And they made us proud of the fact that now, more than ever, we are certain that we have this country to bequeath to someone and that these young people have the knowledge, desire, will, energy and love to make their vision a reality and Montenegro a better and more beautiful place for all of us to live," said Jakšić Stojanović.

Devčić said that the students' works show how thoughtful, creative and ready young people in Montenegro are today to deal with the challenges and issues of the future.

"We are pleased with the great interest in this competition and the quality of the works we had the opportunity to see. They clearly show that Montenegro has a perspective and that this perspective lies in young people who are ready to actively participate in shaping it," said Devčić.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports Tatjana Ćalasan, on behalf of the jury members, said that the decision-making process was interesting and inspiring for all members of the commission.

"It's nice to know that young people have ideas, visions, interesting views and desires. They do not deviate from cosmopolitan, bold, well-intentioned, but also critical," said Ćalasan.