Becoming a teacher in times of democracies under pressure means studying in an academic, social, and political environment shaken by political crisis and social divides. This Open Conversation is proposed by the Teacher Education Network (TENet) of Circle U. to trace how political and institutional environments impact on teacher professionalisation as early as in initial teacher education at university. The experiences of teacher education students at the University of Belgrade are a compelling case unfolding right within the Circle U. partnership.
At the University of Belgrade, teacher education students face blocked classes, postponed exams, and uncertain practicum placements as protests over government corruption and mismanagement continue. Faculty members struggle with administrative and economic pressures such as heavier teaching loads, salary cuts, limited research opportunities and growing threats to academic freedom shaping the environment in which future teachers are trained.
Envisioning a career in the public sector and developing a professional educational identity has turned into a challenge which for many students holds unforeseen doubts and dilemmas as supportive school teachers are currently facing loss of employment and exclusion from teaching positions.
The Open Conversation will be dedicated to highlighting the voices of teacher education students from Belgrade, showcasing their experiences of studying and preparing to teach in a context of political tension and pressure on democratic institutions. Their stories of resilience, advocacy, and navigating an unsettled academic environment will form the centerpiece of the discussion. The broader dialogue will allow for reflection on how teacher education adapts to different social and political challenges, emphasising both the distinctiveness of the Serbian context and the shared commitment of future educators across Europe and beyond to uphold democratic values in their work.
Programme
Opening
Stephan Breidbach, CU.til Chair/ TENet, Director Professional School of Education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Welcome address
- Niels Pinkwart, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Presentation 1
- Anastasija Mitrović, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
- “Student public engagement at the University of Belgrade since November 2024 - How it all began and what it has become”
Presentation 2
- Vladimir Vojnak, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu: “Becoming while being a teacher in a democracy under pressure - reflections on the faultlines of educational professionalisation”
Panel Discussion: Becoming a teacher in times of democracies under pressure
- Moderation: Stephan Breidbach
- Anastasija Mitrović, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
- Vladimir Vojnak, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
- Nevena Buđevac, CU.til Chair/ TENet, Associate professor in psychology of education, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
- Claudia Matthes, CU Democracy HUB, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Frederick Sylvester, UWC
Presentation 3
- John Ruiters, Stellenbosch University, HIT member: “Teacher Education in Emerging Democracies - Reflections on the case of South Africa”
Concluding Remarks
- Christiane Dalton-Puffer, CU.til Member/ TENet, Universität Wien
- Christina Richardson, CU.til Chair/ TENet, King’s College London
