Serbian Unity News

Serbian Unity Congress Concludes 13th Annual Convention

San Francisco gathering described as “most successful” ever

The Serbian Unity Congress concluded it’s 13th annual convention last week, with leaders and participants alike calling it the best ever gathering of the organization. The convention, attended by over 100 delegates from three continents and more than 500 people overall, melded culture, business, politics and diplomacy in the three day affair.

“Our expectations for the Convention were high, and we nonetheless exceeded them,” said the SUC’s President Nenad Vukicevic, adding, “The solidarity of the Serbian community throughout the world and the passion with which we treasure our culture and people was clear. It was the most successful convention we’ve ever had.”

Highlights of the event included:

A standing room only crowd for the 2nd annual Economic Forum, focusing on business opportunities between businesses in Serbia-Montenegro and the United States.

A gala dinner attended by 400 guests featuring HRH Crown Prince Alexander and the Serbia and Montenegro Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Ivan Vujacic.

A presentation on the expanded operations of the SUC in Washington, D.C., including details on the opening of the SUC’s office in America’s capital city.

Panel discussions examining from diverse angles foreign policy issues facing Serbia and Montenegro - both of a broader scope, and with a specific emphasis on possible solutions to the strategic of Kosovo-Metohija problem, the latter including participants representing the Kosovo Roma community

A discussion of plans for a stepped up anti-defamation efforts to identify and rebut anti-Serb rhetoric in the United States and elsewhere in the Western world.

Discussions focused both on strengthening ties within the Serbian Diaspora and its relations with the homeland, involving heads of the two other organizations comprising the newly formed Serbian-American Congress, as well as representatives from Europe and Australia

Panels aimed at strengthening the organization from within – from identifying ways to better involve Serb youth in the SUC, to improved vertical and horizontal integration

An original multimedia performance and presentation showcasing this year’s successful Blago Fund trip to Gracanica Monastery in Kosovo, as well as a variety of other cultural expositions, including a traveling exhibition of photographs of the famous Chilandari monastic compound.

The Convention also voted to hold next year’s meeting in Washington, D.C. It is again to be held in the fall, with further specifics to be announced at a later date.