The thematic collection NATIONAL IDENTITY AND ETHNIC RELATIONS was created as a result of the scientific work of researchers on the subproject of the same name, led by Nada Raduški, and within the framework of the macroproject "Democratic and National Capacities of Political Institutions of Serbia in the Process of International Integration" (number 179009), funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia. The authors of the works in the collection are associates of the Institute for Political Studies, as well as invited researchers employed in other scientific institutions who study national and cultural identity, ethnic relations, the position and rights of national minorities in the context of multiculturalism and multilingualism policies.
Nowadays, within the framework of the current processes of globalization and integration, modern economic trends and intensive migrations, the preservation of national, linguistic and religious identity is becoming the focus of interest not only of the professional and scientific community, but also of the wider public. In Serbia, where there is great ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural diversity, it is necessary to adopt and implement a state policy that will respect, recognize and protect these differences for the purpose of the democratic and stable development of the country. Tolerance, dialogue and understanding are necessary for the coexistence of different national communities in the same area, while respecting cultural diversity and specificity, as well as preserving and improving their ethno-cultural identity.
The papers presented in this thematic collection aim to contribute to a better understanding of the key dimensions of national identity and interethnic relations in the context of preserving multiculturalism and multilingualism, and the strategy of stability, peace and prosperity of the state.
