The Centre for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities Serbia celebrated its 30th anniversary with a ceremony at the Mona Plaza Hotel in Belgrade on February 6, 2026.
In addition to members and beneficiaries, the event was attended by over a hundred representatives from other centers for independent living in Serbia and the region, personal assistants, friends, allies from the civil sector, independent institutions, and both city and national services.
Guests were greeted by Milena Stojanović and Mimica Živadinović, while the presentation alternated between photos from the thirty-year history of the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Serbia.
-The Center has been building models that are becoming standards and improving the lives of persons with disabilities for three decades, but it is an ongoing process. The society of equal opportunities could evolve only with a strong community of persons with disabilities living the philosophy of independent living, as emphasised in her introductory speech, Milena Stojanovic, the president of The Centre for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities Serbia.
– The Centre for Independent Living of Person with Disabilities Serbia is the first cross-disability organization in this area, whose work is a testament to endurance and collective effort.
This ceremony pays tribute to our past and to those who are no longer with us—those who envisioned freedom and paved the way for a brighter future for young people with disabilities today, said legal representative and coordinator Mimica Zivadinovic. She invited the attendants to watch the documentary The Idea that Lasts: 30 Years of The Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities Serbia.
The film documents the initiator Gordana Rajkov, the founders, collaborators, challenges, efforts, aspirations and successes of the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Serbia from the beginning to the present day. It is a significant testimony to the work of the greats of the movement for the rights of persons with disabilities in this region, from Gordana Rajkov and Damjan Tatić, to Svetislav Ceci Marjanović, Julijana Čatalinac, Lepojka Čarević Mitanovski, Dimitrije Gligorijević, Vojislav Mladenović, and all of us here today.
After the screening, numerous present guests expressed their pride, honor and gratitude for being Gordana Rajkov’s friend, knowing her, learning from her and collaborating with her, or they shared with those present their experiences and memories of working together, the benefits they personally achieved from that work and/or they just wished the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia many more years of work and lots of success.
Brankica Janković, human rights expert and former commissioner for equality – It was a privilege to know Gordana Rajkov and to be her friend. I think it is very important that in this dehumanisation time you always reset us and remind us of our humanity. It is a shame for all of us that deep-seated prejudices still exist, and to change them, we should not allow anyone who ignores 10% of the people living in our society to be in power.
Marija Obrovacki, a recipient of personal assistance from Novi Sad – For thirty-eight years, I lived on a farm and felt invisible. Thanks to personal assistance, I am now a woman living with the effects of cerebral palsy, an accomplished individual who completed her education in her forties and became an artist who paints with her mouth.
Ljubinka Borisovski, participant in the SPAS project supported by the Embassy of Ireland – Back then, three of us shared one assistant. Neither the assistants nor we knew what it was. Back then, it was difficult for people with disabilities to decide on assistance, and today, many people would like assistance but cannot get it. For many, personal assistance equals Gordana Rajkov.
Suvad Zahirović, Information Centre for People with Disabilities at Lotos, Tuzla – At the end of 1996, Gordana Rajkov came to Tuzla to promote the concept of independent living. I encourage everyone to look beyond borders, seek ways to support one another, and live with dignity by making independent choices, whatever they may be.
Ivanka Jovanović, an activist in the movement for the rights of persons with disabilities, a member of the Association of Dystrophists of Belgrade, and executive director of the National Organisation of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia – I could not perform any of my roles without personal assistance. I wish the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Serbia to provide personal assistance 24/7 to every place in Serbia and to every person who needs it, and to continue for many more years.
Svetlana Janković Beljanski, an activist for the rights of persons with disabilities from Valjevo, a member of the Board of Directors of IZ KRUGA VOJVODINA– I am proud to have met the greatest intellectuals and the greatest people of the movement of persons with disabilities. The road to an independent life is always paved with thorns, but we will never give up!
At the end of the program, the associates of the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia invited the attendees to lunch and handed each of them a gift packet with ‘a picture of the small boats of our voyage, the smell of the sea and freedom, to continue sailing towards the horizon together‘.
