OSCE Mission to Serbia announces winners of 2023 Person of the Year Award
BELGRADE, 7 December 2023 – The OSCE Mission to Serbia awarded the 2023 Person of the Year award to Dr. Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović, a full tenure professor in Environmental Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade, and to Mr. Dejan Stojanović, a lawyer at the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications.
The award recognizes the important contributions of these two individuals in promoting the OSCE’s values and commitments throughout the year. Both awardees demonstrated exceptional dedication to the promotion and protection of media freedom and the safety of journalists, the respect for human rights and rule of law, good governance, environmental protection, gender equality, youth rights and sustainable development in 2023.
“The OSCE Mission to Serbia’s Person of the Year award recognizes and honours citizens of Serbia who, as partners of our Mission, have had a positive impact on Serbian society and inspire others to follow in their path,” stated the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Jan Braathu.
Dr. Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović is recognized for her outstanding contribution to the establishment of the Environmental Law Clinic. The Clinic is an OSCE Mission-supported extracurricular program launched in 2015 that has allowed 600 senior law students to strengthen their theoretical and practical skills and complete their professional placements in state institutions. Dr. Drenovak-Ivanović also played a pivotal role in establishing the master’s programme in Environmental Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade.
Mr. Dejan Stojanović received the award for his dedication to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative process in drafting media policy documents and legislation. His efforts contributed to a beneficial environment for media freedom. He has also been a staunch supporter of the implementation of the Media Strategy 2020-2025. Throughout his engagement, Mr. Stojanović ensured that the views of all stakeholders, including media and journalist associations, were reflected in media laws and policies. In every reform process, he has built confidence based on dialogue among participants.
“Engaged citizens and professionals such as Dr. Drenovak-Ivanović and Mr. Dejan Stojanović contribute to the OSCE’s objective in Serbia: Supporting future-oriented reform processes that build lasting security based on human rights, good governance and the rule of law. I salute them for their tireless efforts in advancing reforms in two key areas: protection of the environment and ensuring a free and pluralistic media environment,” said Ambassador Braathu.