At the end of June, the EU Corner, located within the OPENS Youth Centre in Novi Sad, became a meeting place for philosophy, science, and activism. Organised by the Europe House Novi Sad and the EU Corner, this special edition of the Socrates Café explored one of today’s most pressing questions: Does economic development inevitably come at the expense of environmental protection?
The discussion was led by Dimitrije Radišić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad and a long-standing member of the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia. Dimitrije brought a unique perspective to the conversation, combining scientific expertise with a strong commitment to environmental activism.
“I have the impression that we are overwhelmed with information about the environment, and accessing it is no longer difficult. On the other hand, there may be a lack of guidance on the direction our thinking about environmental issues should take. What is generally missing from the public discourse is the ability to connect these issues to the bigger picture and provide them with proper context.”
The discussion focused not only on ecology in the technical sense, but also on ethics. Participants reflected on how our fundamental beliefs shape the way we perceive the world around us and influence the decisions we make when economic interests and environmental protection appear to be in conflict.
Stay tuned, as the Europe House continues to open its doors to conversations that challenge perspectives and inspire new ways of thinking.