INTERVIEW TO…Suzana, administrator in Montenegro

When did you start working with COSV? And how?

In the 90s, COSV had just arrived in Montenegro, following the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, and the state of emergency for refugees from Kosovo. I did an interview with COSV representatives and the next day I started working as an interpreter. I went through almost all positions and roles in this NGO, starting from scratch, developing my competences every day.

What does it mean for you working for an NGO?

This type of work is a constant challenge to all points of view.  Always new, interesting, offers many opportunities to develop both professionally and personally. The fact that I can think of and search tools to find solutions to the problems of my country, that’s satisfying. I find it a great job, full of life.

How is your involvement in an international NGO perceived within your social context?

Working for an NGO in my country means to receive respect to the activities and attempts than you do to improve the conditions of life in your society. People are aware of the various efforts that you make to improve the reality, and respects you, participating and cooperating with more attention than as they would do with those who come from other professional ranges of society.

What do you think is the main impact of the job you are doing?

Working with COSV for many years, we have developed beautiful projects, leaving a variety of human and material values to my country, giving it the chance to recover from the war and develop as a country worthy to be called European and civil. Actively participating in all activities and being involved in this process I can only be proud of what we did. Every day I can see the positive impacts of what we have achieved, together with our many partners, both in human terms, offering opportunities for social inclusion of vulnerable groups, and from the point of view of infrastructure that can be used for the development of new sustainable policies in the areas of tourism and economic development.

Which have been the most meaningful experiences?

For me, the most significant experiences were the ones who brought me to higher levels in acquiring new knowledge, learning new approaches and growing professionally. I cannot chose one in particular because I think all of them are very important for every step I made in my working life.

Have you experienced changes and disappointment in these years?

Changes – of course! I actually have started “from scratch” knowledge about NGOs, then, I have been living many changes. With full knowledge I can say that I have not had any professional disappointment, indeed.

What’s your favourite proverb?

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthias 6:12)

At what age did you get out of the house?

At 18 years.

With whom do you live?

Alone.

Do You have pets?

No at this time.

What cannot you resist?

To love.

In what are you unbeatable?

In being a friend.

Tattoos?

Yes, two.

What makes you blush?

A glance from the person I am in love with.

What are you afraid?

Loneliness in old age.

A hero of the story?

Moses the Egyptian.

A person that you appreciate in international politics?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

What do you expect from your future?

A quiet life, healthy, full of travels and discoveries of new worlds, full of good times and love, with money enough to live a life of dignity and no more.

How do you see Montenegro in 20 years?

I want to see a country that has been able to resume his road, that recognizes its potential to develop into a paradise for those who live here and all those who come to visit.