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Savremeni
svet prolazi kroz duboke transformacije. Globalizacija, digitalna revolucija
i kulturne polarizacije redefinišu javni prostor i društveni život. U takvom
okruženju, sloboda govora i pluralizam mišljenja postaju ključni temelji
demokratije i društvenog razvoja.
Charlie Kirk
(1993–2025), američki konzervativni mislilac i osnivač Turning Point USA,
svojim delovanjem postavio je standarde u odbrani slobode izražavanja i
promociji konzervativnih vrednosti. Njegova misija bila je da mladim
generacijama ponudi alternativu u vremenu kada javni diskurs često postaje
uniformisan.
Kirk je često isticao: „Ako
ne branite pravo drugih da kažu ono što misle, ni vi nećete imati pravo da
izrazite svoje mišljenje.“
Fondacija „Braća Karić“ posthumno mu je dodelila priznanje za doprinos
slobodi govora, pluralizmu mišljenja i vrednostima koje oplemenjuju društvo.
Sloboda govora
- stub demokratije
Sloboda
govora je univerzalno pravo koje garantuju Univerzalna deklaracija o ljudskim
pravima (član 19) i Evropska konvencija o ljudskim pravima (član 10). To
pravo nije samo pravna norma – ono je temelj demokratske kulture.
Kirk je pokazao da sloboda izražavanja nije apstraktna kategorija, već
svakodnevna borba. Njegova upozorenja na „kulturu
otkazivanja“ i preteranu političku korektnost podsećaju da demokratija
gubi smisao ako pravo na drugačije mišljenje postane iluzorno.
Globalni odjek njegovih ideja potvrđuje da sloboda govora predstavlja
zajednički izazov za čitavo čovečanstvo – od razvijenih demokratija do
društava u tranziciji.
Donald Trump
je u više navrata isticao važnost slobode izražavanja i angažmana: „Mi branimo slobodu govora jer je to
temelj svih sloboda.“
Konzervativne
vrednosti i moralni okvir
Za
Kirka, porodica, zajednica i vera bili su stubovi društvene stabilnosti i
međugeneracijskog kontinuiteta. U vremenu ubrzanih promena i relativizacije
identiteta, smatrao je da očuvanje tradicije i moralnog okvira omogućava
zdrav razvoj društva.
Ovaj pristup posebno je značajan za Balkan i Bliski istok, gde brze društvene
promene često izazivaju tenzije. Naglašavajući moralnu doslednost i društvenu
odgovornost, Kirk je ukazivao na vrednosti koje se ne smeju izgubiti u
procesu modernizacije.
Donald Trump je o očuvanju vrednosti i porodičnom okviru izjavio: „Nacija koja gubi poštovanje za porodicu
i tradiciju gubi samu sebe.“
Dijalog i
uvažavanje drugačijih mišljenja
Kirkova
spremnost na dijalog bila je istovremeno izraz doslednosti i otvorenosti.
Iako je zastupao konzervativne stavove, uvažavao je neistomišljenike i
pokazivao da odbrana sopstvenih vrednosti ne znači isključivost.
Ovaj model dijaloga može biti značajan i za balkanska društva, gde je kultura
političkog i javnog diskursa često nedovoljno razvijena, i služi kao primer
prevazilaženja ideoloških i kulturnih podela.
Mladi i aktivno
građanstvo
Jedan od
ključnih doprinosa Kirka bio je rad sa mladima. Kroz Turning Point USA
podsticao je kritičko mišljenje, aktivno građanstvo i odgovornost prema
zajednici. Pokazao je da mladi, kada im se pruži prostor za obrazovanje i
angažman, mogu biti pokretači društvenih promena.
Ovaj model posebno je relevantan za Balkan i Bliski istok, gde uključivanje
mladih u društvene procese jača demokratsku konsolidaciju i stabilnost. Kao
zagovornik aktivne uloge mladih, smatram da im pravo glasa treba omogućiti
već sa navršenih 16 godina.
Univerzalne
poruke
Nasleđe
Charlieja Kirka ukazuje na tri univerzalne poruke:
- Pluralizam
mišljenja je temelj demokratske kulture.
- Porodične
i moralne vrednosti čuvaju društvenu stabilnost i kontinuitet.
- Otvoren
dijalog jača koheziju i prevazilazi podela.
Fondacija
„Braća Karić“ – priznanje i inspiracija
Fondacija
„Braća Karić“ iz Beograda, Srbija, posthumno je dodelila Charlieju Kirku
nagradu za doprinos slobodi govora i vrednostima koje oplemenjuju društvo.
Ovo priznanje simbolizuje trajno delo Kirka, ali i obavezu budućih generacija
da nastave putem kojim je hrabro koračao.
Njegovo nasleđe sada postaje još snažnija inspiracija za aktivizam,
obrazovanje i promociju demokratskih vrednosti.
Po(r)uka
Charlie
Kirk će ostati upamćen kao mislilac i aktivista koji je dosledno branio
slobodu govora i promovisao vrednosti koje čine osnov zdravog društva.
Njegovo delo živi u svima koji veruju da su sloboda, porodica i vera večite
kategorije, vredne zalaganja i afirmacije.
Sloboda govora nije privilegija – ona je odgovornost svake generacije. Upravo
ta poruka ostaje najjača nit njegovog života i rada.
Preuzeto od IFIMES
Ljubljana
Ljubljana / Beograd,
1. oktobar 2025
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The
contemporary world is undergoing profound transformations. Globalisation, the
digital revolution and cultural polarisation are redefining the public sphere
and social life. In such an environment, freedom of speech and pluralism of
thought stand as key pillars of democracy and social development.
Charlie Kirk
(1993–2025), an American conservative thinker and founder of Turning Point
USA, set new benchmarks in defending freedom of expression and promoting
conservative values. His mission was to offer younger generations an
alternative at a time when public discourse was increasingly uniform.
Kirk often emphasised: “If
you do not defend the right of others to speak their mind, you will not have
the right to express your own.”
The Karić Brothers Foundation posthumously honoured him for his contribution
to freedom of speech, pluralism of thought and values that enrich society.
Freedom of
speech – the cornerstone of democracy
Freedom
of speech is a universal right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (Article 19) and the European Convention on Human Rights
(Article 10). This right is not merely a legal norm – it is the bedrock of
democratic culture.
Kirk demonstrated that freedom of expression is not an abstract category but
a constant struggle. His warnings about “cancel culture” and excessive
political correctness serve as a reminder that democracy is deprived of
meaning if the right to hold different opinions becomes illusory.
The global resonance of his ideas confirms that freedom of speech is a common
challenge facing all of humanity – from developed democracies to societies in
transition.
Donald Trump
repeatedly underlined the importance of freedom of expression and civic
engagement: “We defend
freedom of speech because it is the foundation of all freedoms.”
Conservative
values and the moral framework
For
Kirk, family, community and faith were the pillars of social stability and
intergenerational continuity. At a time of rapid change and the
relativisation of identity, he argued that preserving tradition and the moral
framework ensures the healthy development of society.
This approach carries particular weight in the Balkans and the Middle East,
where swift social transformations often provoke tensions. By highlighting
moral integrity and social responsibility, Kirk underscored values that must
not be lost in the course of modernisation.
Speaking about the preservation of values and the family unit, Donald Trump
stated: “A nation that loses
respect for family and tradition loses itself.”
Dialogue and
respect for differing opinions
Kirk’s
willingness to engage in dialogue reflected both his consistency and
openness. Although he advocated conservative positions, he nonetheless
respected opposing voices and showed that defending one’s own values does not
imply the exclusion of others.
Such a model of dialogue may also be significant for Balkan societies, where
the culture of political and public discourse remains underdeveloped, and
serves as an example of how ideological and cultural divisions can be
overcome.
Youth and active
citizenship
One of
Kirk’s key contributions was his work with young people. Through Turning
Point USA, he fostered critical thinking, active citizenship and a sense of
community responsibility. He showed that, when offered opportunities for
education and social engagement, young people can become catalysts for social
change.
This approach is of particular relevance to the Balkans and the Middle East,
where the involvement of youth in public life contributes to democratic
consolidation and stability. As a strong advocate of youth participation, I
believe the right to vote should be extended to 16-year-olds.
Universal
messages
Charlie
Kirk’s legacy conveys three universal messages:
- Pluralism
of thought is a cornerstone of democratic culture.
- Family
and moral values safeguard social stability and continuity.
- Open
dialogue strengthens cohesion and overcomes divisions.
The
Karić Brothers Foundation – recognition and inspiration
The
Karić Brothers Foundation, based in Belgrade, Serbia, has posthumously
honoured Charlie Kirk with an award for his contribution to freedom of speech
and to values that enrich society. This distinction not only symbolises his
enduring achievement but also places an obligation on future generations to
continue along the path he courageously pursued.
Today, his legacy serves as an even greater source of inspiration for
activism, education and the advancement of democratic values.
A message (and
a lesson)
Charlie
Kirk will be remembered as a thinker and activist who steadfastly defended
freedom of speech and championed the values that underpin a healthy society.
His legacy endures in all who believe that freedom, family and faith are
timeless principles, worthy of commitment and affirmation.
Freedom of speech is not a privilege – it is a responsibility borne by every
generation. That message stands as the most powerful thread running through
his life and work.
Taken from IFIMES Ljubljana
Ljubljana/Beograd, 1 October 2025
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