University of Belgrade

Mm

... for the University of Belgrade, Slobodan Markovic estimated that between 21 and 27.65% of the entire Serbian population dies in that war.

It kills a quarter of all of the Serbs that exist, right? That's, like, a pretty good estimate.

Lord.

You just mentioned that your work is related to the soil science and soil health, but can you please tell us more about how it's connected, your work, to this soil science and soil health? Let's say

my basic background is related to the forestry because I graduated from Faculty of Forestry, University of Beneluca, but later on I was moved to Belgrade, at University of Belgrade, studying more on land degradation and soil health, let's say.

So, My professional work has been connected with students and university, but at the same time, I am really actively engaged with the CSO sector in terms of connection between science and the ground, concrete actions and cooperation with people.

But also my career, let's say, was connected to the UNCCD as an SPI from the period of 2018-2022.

This would begin to bear fruit in January 1959, when, at aged 17, he was inaugurated as a full member of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, the ruling party in Tito's communist state.

After graduating from high school, Milosevic studied law at the University of Belgrade and, not wishing to share a room with three or four others, used his party connections to get himself a single room.

Because his brother Borislav, who was far more popular than his sibling, was best friends with the President of the Student Union, he received some preferential treatment in other ways as soon as he arrived in Belgrade.

He was soon met by Ivan Stambulich, an older individual by several years who had connections within the Yugoslav political system and who would act as a mentor and significant patron to Slobodan in the years ahead.

Even at a relatively junior age, the calculating Milosevic knew the value of having friends in high places.

Stambulic would later ascend to some of the most senior offices within the government of the Socialist Republic of Serbia, one of the constituent parts of the Federal Union of Yugoslavia, an ascendancy which would allow him to promote Slobodan behind him.

Slobodan's relationship with Stambulic would pay off as early as the spring of 1961, when Ivan recommended him to be appointed as the secretary of the Communist Party's chapter within the law faculty at the University of Belgrade.

This was a prestigious position which could be used as a springboard towards a political career in Yugoslavia.