Citizens continue to have the most trust in the army

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At the SAMOinicijativa fair, BCSP presented current projects to interested attendees, acquainted them with the benefits of the organization’s new website (www.bezbednost.org), and shared their latest publications.

Interested passersby were able to participate in the survey which consisted of three questions: Have you ever given a bribe to a police officer? Does Serbia need to cooperate with NATO? Which institution do you most trust?

Judging by the voices of the fair’s visitors, the Serbian Army is the institution holding the greatest trust of the citizens (34%), followed by the National Assembly (22%), and security services (16%).

In last year’s survey with identical questions, the army also received the most votes. But this year, the police, which previously were shoulder to shoulder with the army, ended in last place with only four percent of the votes.

Interestingly, only seven percent of the respondents trust the Serbian president, a great drop compared to the number of votes this institution received from visitors to the previous fair.

The fact that 103 of the 148 survey participants voted for our country to cooperate with the North Atlantic Alliance supports the conclusion of the debate recently held in the BCSP library.

Also, the fact that one in four respondents admitted to giving at least one bribe to a policeman, as have most drivers, coincides with the data presented during the promotion of the book, “Guidelines for the Preservation of Police Integrity”.

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In addition to the survey, the BCSP booth led interesting discussions about the problems in the security sector. Visitors were especially interested in the “Advisors for gender equality in the security sector of Serbia” and “Serbia's public on security” debates.

Students had the opportunity to be thoroughly informed about the internship program at BCSP, and a number of passersby approached the stand simply to express their dissatisfaction with the country’s current situation.

The third civil society organization fair, “SAMOinicijativa” was held the 24-25^th of May in Nikola Pasic Square in Belgrade. The fair was attended by approximately seventy organizations focusing on different social spheres, which during the two days presented their projects, plans, and fruits of their labor to attendees, and exchanged experiences amongst each other.

The fair’s opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the international community, including the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick and Head of Belgrade Office at Council of Europe Antje Rothemund.

Translated by Alina Smyslova – BCSP intern