TODAY, IN THE ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ SERIES, WE’RE SPEAKING WITH PROgramme manager AT A 11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, Milica Marinković. Milica WILL BE TELLING US ABOUT HER ROLE AND THE ROLE OF a 11 WITHIN THE TANGO PROJECT.

Thanks for speaking to us today. Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us where you are based?

Hello, I’m Milica Marinkovic, I come from an organization that deals with human rights with a special focus on vulnerable groups (A 11 Initiative), we are stationed in Belgrade, Serbia.

What is your main task in the TANGO project?

Our task is to accompany the process of forming an digital innovation that aims to facilitate access to the right from the sphere of social protection, as well as to make a case study about that process and how we estimated the impact it would have and looked at the possibilities of violating the achieved rights in relation to vulnerable groups.

What do you like most about your role?

It is an interesting and unique opportunity to work with people from quite different sectors. Until now, as a lawyer, I have not had the opportunity to collaborate with such a large number of people coming from science. On the one hand, it is difficult to understand all these specifics in one’s work, but it is certainly something new and challenging.

How do your professional interests match the objectives of TANGO?

When I encountered topic of digital rights for the first time a few years ago, due to the introduction of digitization in social protection in Serbia, I started to deal more with it and research. My interests in digital rights have grown quite a bit, and every opportunity to put the acquired knowledge into practice, as well as to gain new experiences, is very important to me.

What is unique about TANGO in your opinion?

I think it is an important message that large funds have been set aside for the further development of technology, but which will focus on human needs. And maybe from the donor’s point of view, it is not so tempting, but it brings a very important message. Also, it is interesting that this is a rather large consortium of various acters.

What makes your organisation ideal for participating in the research/activities of TANGO?

We have significant knowledge in the field of human rights and standards that should be respected when introducing new technologies. In addition, we are one of only a few organizations in Serbia that deals with the impact of technology on human rights, and we already have experience with this specific topic.

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us, Milica. We look forward to more updates from the team at A 11. 

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