Sonja Licht
Encyclopedia
Sonja Licht is a sociologist and political activist. Currently, she is president of the Foreign Policy Council at the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Born to Antun and Susana Licht, she obtained a diploma in sociology
at the University of Belgrade
Faculty of Philosophy
. She is currently president of Beogradski fond za političku izuzetnost (Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence). The aim of this non-governmental organization is to educate young Serbian politicians, MPs
and party leaders, in order to facilitate the transition toward democracy and EU
membership. Sonja Licht is the founder and President of BFPE.
Previously, for more than a decade (1991–2003), she was the president of another non-governmental organization — Fond za Otvoreno Društvo (Open Society Fund), a Serbian branch of George Soros
funded Open Society Institute
. Editors of the Vreme
magazin elected Licht as Person of the Year in 2007.
Since July 1, 2008 she has been a member of Politika AD
's managing board. She has been awarded
several high prizes for her public work, including the latest - the Légion d'honneur
from the French Republic.
Born to Antun and Susana Licht, she obtained a diploma in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at the University of Belgrade
University of Belgrade
The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university of Serbia.Founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School in revolutionary Serbia, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university...
Faculty of Philosophy
University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy
The University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Serbia, founded in the early 19th century within the Belgrade Higher School...
. She is currently president of Beogradski fond za političku izuzetnost (Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence). The aim of this non-governmental organization is to educate young Serbian politicians, MPs
National Assembly of Serbia
The National Assembly of Serbia is the unicameral parliament of Serbia. It is composed of 250 proportionally elected deputies elected in general elections by secret ballot, on 4 years term. The National Assembly elects the President of the National Assembly who presides over the sessions...
and party leaders, in order to facilitate the transition toward democracy and EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
membership. Sonja Licht is the founder and President of BFPE.
Previously, for more than a decade (1991–2003), she was the president of another non-governmental organization — Fond za Otvoreno Društvo (Open Society Fund), a Serbian branch of George Soros
George Soros
George Soros is a Hungarian-American business magnate, investor, philosopher, and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Soros Fund Management. Soros supports progressive-liberal causes...
funded Open Society Institute
Open Society Institute
The Open Society Institute , renamed in 2011 to Open Society Foundations, is a private operating and grantmaking foundation started by George Soros, aimed to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform...
. Editors of the Vreme
Vreme
Vreme is a weekly newsmagazine based in Belgrade, Serbia.After being prepared for seven months throughout 1990 by liberal Serbian intellectuals dissatisfied with the regime's control of the media, its first issue came out on October 29, 1990. Most of its original staff were journalists from...
magazin elected Licht as Person of the Year in 2007.
Since July 1, 2008 she has been a member of Politika AD
Politika AD
Politika a.d. is a Serbian media corporation founded in present form in 2005, and it has continually existed in various legal forms since 1904....
's managing board. She has been awarded
several high prizes for her public work, including the latest - the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
from the French Republic.