TIMING IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE

From 2018 Milica Lundin has successfully headed the International Women’s Club of Belgrade from strength to strength. IWC is a club that gathers women of foreign nationality living in Belgrade. Mrs Lundin is a Swedish musician and culture manager. Her husband is current Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, H.E. Jan Lundin. Due to her husband’s diplomatic vocation, Milica has lived with her family in Sweden, Lithuania, Russia, Germany and Serbia.

What are the biggest challenges, in your opinion, for particularly critical. It should be a matter of the individual’s female leaders today? choice and life circumstances, but no doubt this critical - First of all, being the female director of a big enterprise time can be seen as an obstacle for her productivity by her is probably much harder than being president of an Inter- colleagues and employers. Not everyone believes that a national Women’s Club. To be honest, I see the challenges woman can be an ambitious employee and at the same time, in leadership as already given, regardless of gender. I engage in her children’s early school age, for instance. Our have never been exposed to gender stereotypes myself, but that is because I do not have so much experience in so- I was lucky to see some excellent diplomatic leaders in 30 called “male jobs”. years of my diplomatic life

I also presume that there are huge differences between being a female leader in Sweden and children do occupy our mind a lot. But I believe it is achievSerbia. As I understand, in Sweden today, the number of able by those fierce women who possess a strong ability female diplomats is exceeding the number of male diplo- for planning and a reliable support network. mats. There is still a huge discussion about the remaining salary differences between female and male employees How far have we yet to go until balance and equality and bosses. become a part of the everyday work-life?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge for a woman would That, again, depends on the country. Some countries have be the timing: does a woman want to pursue advancing in very developed gender equality policies in work-life and her career simultaneously with the most intensive period beyond. For example, Iceland: You would be amazed by how of her children’s upbringing? That is if we can call any period independent women are and how many gender stereotypes

are broken there. For example, it is not unusual for a child to adopt its mother’s maiden surname, although parents are married and living together.

I would say, as soon as everyone is embracing feminism regardless of their own gender, we are on a good path. By feminism, I mean the desire to make women simply equal with men both by law and in practice. Not privileged because they are “a weaker sex”, but simply equal. It is still nice that we are different in some other aspects. Of course, laws have to be applied and obeyed. I think it will be much harder to introduce true eguality in everyday life than in a high level of professionalism. As a mission-driven organisation, IWC aims to help women to adjust to Serbia and its culture, as well as to take part in its charitable actions. How challenging is achieving this goal in 2020, the year marked by the pandemic? This year is putting particular pressure on us since our club depends on social gatherings. Many of our members are a little exasperated by this long period of self-preservation. What we miss the most are joint visits to museums and trips. But we socialise online, keep each other in good spirits and offer help to those of us alive, and we are publishing all the news we with the elderly and four of them deal with humanitarian we looked to our own resources. In the end, why couldn’t a group of strong, educated, cosmopolitan women create came up with an idea to publish a book of our impressions of, or rather our relationships with, the city of Belgrade.

who need it. There is also a very intensive exchange through social networks. Our website www.iwc.rs and Facebook page are very much IWC will publish a book of our impressions of, or rather our relationships with, the city of Belgrade can about our projects funded by the proceeds from last Our foreign ladies each contributed with a text about year’s Charity Bazaar. their favourite place in town and explained why they are

We can proudly say that the beneficiaries were very attached to it. When matched with nice photos, it will be appropriately chosen. All six of the projects we chose deal a popular read, I think. a product that would be sold for its cultural value? We help throughout different parts of Serbia. The help has What do you believe are the main traits and characteristics already been delivered, and the projects were vital for of the successful female diplomatic leader of today? the critical period of May and June 2020. There is no such thing as a particular prescription for female diplomats. I was lucky enough to see some excellent diploIWC is producing a book instead of the annual Charity matic leaders in these 30 years of my diplomatic life, both Bazaar this year, due to pandemic restrictions. Please women and men. When it comes to success in diplomacy, it tell us more about the idea behind the book. is erudition, respect for other people and impeccable tact We all know how difficult it is right now for all in the private that make the difference. You may have a good head on sector to keep their heads above water. We are, therefore your shoulders, be operative and constructive, but without trying to avoid asking for donations and sponsorship as knowledge of history, scholastic and contemporary, and much as possible. With a lack of donated goods and with without respectful and a dignified approach to people, restrictions of public gatherings comes the question of our you will not gain respect in return. This applies to both annual Bazaar. We gave up on planning it for this year, and women and men.