02. 08. 2010

ANEM supported campaign of Civic Initiatives

ANEM has supported the campaign of the Civic Initiatives by broadcasting radio jingles free of charge on ANEM radio stations on free legal aid to non-governmental organizations and all citizens who wish to connect in joint action and achieve positive change. In this way, ANEM, in cooperation with the Civic Initiatives, strives to contribute to the adequate informing of the general public on the process of re-registration of the civil sector. The jingles come in two music versions of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony ("Ode to Joy") in the rock, or folk copyright arrangement, of shorter and longer length (14 and 32 seconds).

The Law on Associations, passed in October 2009, stipulates the requirement for existing organizations to re-register so that they would not lose legal status. At the same time, the law assists citizens to exercise guaranteed freedom of association. Only 3000 organizations have been registered so far with the Agency for Business Register, which, in line with the new law, keeps records of organizations. It seems that there is insufficient information about this requirement and that citizens and activists need professional assistance in the harmonization and drafting of legal documents of the associations. Hence, the Civil Initiatives, together with the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, prepared a simple guide and facilitated distribution of free copies on the stands throughout Serbia, as well as on the organization's web site. In addition, three times a week, a Civic Initiatives legal expert is providing free legal assistance by responding to questions and inquires asked by phone or via e-mail.

Since August, 16 ANEM radio stations have been broadcasting radio jingles of the Civic Initiatives campaign for a longer period of time and free of charge, as the process of re-registration lasts until April 22, 2011. ANEM stations that have supported this campaign are: Radio 021 from Novi Sad, Radio Kontakt Plus from Kosovska Mitrovica; Radio Kikinda; Radio Kragujevac; Radio Primus from Bajina Basta; Radio Patak from Valjevo; Radio Vrbas; Radio Ok from Vranje; Radio Sport Plus from Pirot; Radio Luna from Uzice; Radio Kovacica; Radio Uzice; Radio Ozon from Cacak; Radio Ema from Bujanovac; Radio Leskovac; Radio Far from Alibunar and Radio Pozega.