Elementary School “Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin” hosted a celebratory event on September 21 to mark the completion of the community mural project “Painting the Way to Tolerance and Inclusion.” The project was funded by the Department of State and supported by U.S. Embassy Podgorica.
At the event, school principal Ljubinka Nedic and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Jeff Adler viewed the mural, which wraps around the wall of the schoolyard. Students joined Nedic and Adler in planting an olive tree.
“The mural tells a story of inclusiveness, equality, and respect for human rights,” Adler said. “The U.S. Embassy is proud to support this school and this community.”
Elementary School Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin has the highest number of Roma students in Montenegro, and the mural has become a rallying point for this diverse community. The initiative came from principal Ljubinka Nedic based on her U.S. experience as a participant in the State Department’s International Visitors Leadrship Program (IVLP). Together with colleagues who participated in the same program, Nedic and her students created the story behind the mural. NGO AUT provided artistic input and direction.
Paining the Way Towards Inclusion and Tolerance (PDF, 5,380 KB)
The goal of this project was to promote social inclusion, diversity, and collaborative learning through the arts. September 21 was the International Day of Peace.
