Biography

By profession I am a master in philosophy, a certified teacher of animal protection and a yoga instructor. Also, past and present, I am an activist with extensive experience in various areas of animal rights, from the theoretical, educational practice, channeled into my writings. I have collaborated with leading non-governmental organizations, promoting veganism and the equal treatment of all sensual beings. Some of them are: Novi Sad Humanitarian Center, Association for the protection of animals Novi Sad (SPANS), Animal Friends Croatia, Freedom for Animals, Feniks, PETA etc. I was the founder/leader of the organization Animal Friends in Serbia.

As a long time journalist, I published many articles on bioethics, aesthetics, ecophilosophy, yoga and healthy lifestyles. These experiences affected what I am doing today. Currently, I work as a teacher of animal protection and the environment in several elementary schools in Novi Sad (Serbia) within the Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdjevo - school subject "Nature Keepers" accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia.

I am a member of Bioethics Society of Serbia, International Forum of Teachers (IFT) of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Association for the Environmental Protection Refugium, Club of Teachers, Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV) and Research Foundation International of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), where I implement innovative educational programs. Also I am a member of a sports association Fit Land, Yoga Serbia and Yoga Alliance, the most prominent association of yoga instructors and yoga schools in the world, by which I promote the integrity and diversity of yoga.

I see my personal and professional growth and achievement through continually raising the level of my own knowledge and skills, using available resources as well as personal experiences.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

2013 Master in Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy. Level: VII/2
2008 Graduated Professor of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy. Level: VII/1

Further Education

2018 Yoga Instructor, S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru. Yoga Instructors Course (YIC)
2016 Certified Yoga Instructor, Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Novi Sad. Qualification of the III degree in sport
2016 Yoga Instructor, Vidya Yoga Belgrade – Dragan Loncar’s School of Yoga. RYT 200 Hours
2006 Specialized Journalistic Studies, Novi Sad School of Journalism. Duration: Two-Semesters

Seminars and Trainings

2018 Yoga for Diabetes (certificate)
Charitable society VYASA, 1st September, Bengaluru
2018 Purification techniques in Hatha Yoga – Shatkarma (certificate)
Sports and Recreation Association “Bihar Yoga”, 30th June, Belgrade
2018 The Body That is Being Perfected – Siddha Deha, second part (certificate)
Pramiti Yoga School (Ventimiglia) and Vidya Yoga (Belgrade) 16-17 June, Belgrade
2018 The Psoas Awakening by Yoga Techniques
Vidya Yoga and Core Fit Max, 27th May, Belgrade
2018 Vinyasa Workshop
Laruga Glaser and David Fredriksson, 26th May, Belgrade
2018 Crystal Therapy – basic level (certificate)
Crystal Corner, 12th May, Novi Sad
2018 Yoga of Scent - workshop, 3rd International Symposium on Mind/Body Medicine in Ayurveda (certificate)
Serbian Society for Ayurveda “Maharishi College for Perfect Health”, 21-22 April 2018, Belgrade
2017 The Body That is Being Perfected – Siddha Deha, first part (certificate)
Pramiti Yoga School (Ventimiglia) and Vidya Yoga (Belgrade) 16-17 December, Belgrade
2017 Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga
Ranko Stoiljkovic, KPJAYI Authorized Level 2 Teacher, 24 September, Novi Sad

2017 Power in the Hands, the Heart in the Yoga (certificate)
Pramiti Yoga School (Ventimiglia) and Vidya Yoga (Belgrade) 3-4 June, Belgrade

2016 Kundalini (certificate)
Pramiti Yoga School (Ventimiglia) and Vidya Yoga (Belgrade) 10-11 December, Belgrade
2016 Fractal Painting, series of workshops
Organization “Iz kruga – Vojvodina”, September-October, Novi Sad
2016 Pranayama II (certificate)
Pramiti Yoga School (Ventimiglia) and Vidya Yoga (Belgrade) 11-12 June, Belgrade
2016 Yoga for Kids, master class for yoga teachers
Simha-Virya Yoga (Amsterdam), 22 May, Novi Sad
2014 Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation (certificate)
Association School for Survival, 5-6 December, Belgrade
2014. Climate Change Workshop
- Unated Nations Development Programme in Serbia (UNDP) and Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental in cooperation with Centre for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEKOR), 26 June, Novi Sad
2013 Permaculture and Biointensive Farming Course
Association Healthy Land, April-June, Fruska Gora
2011 The University Course “Animal Welfare and Animal-Human Relations” (certificate)
Academy of Human-Animal relationship – Graz and UNI for LIFE (Karl-Franzens University), 8-17 July, Graz
2011 Media Law Seminar
1. Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and USAID/IREX, 3 June, Novi Sad
2011 Depth Psychology and Group Analysis of Dreams, training (certificate)
Gestalt psychologists of Centre for Depth Psychology and Dream Analysis K.G. Jung and NSHC, April-June, Novi Sad
2010 Training on How to Design Quality Project Proposals (certificate)
1. CBIB – Cross Border Institution Building, 10-12 March, Novi Sad
2006 Anti-Corruption and Conflict of Interest School (certificate)
Centre for Peace and Democracy Development and The Citizens’ Pact for SEE, December-May, Novi Sad
2006 Program SCOOP to Help the Development of Investigative Journalism in Eastern Europe
The Danish Association for Investigative Journalism (FUJ), 19-20. August, Kosmaj
2005 Conscientious Objection and Civilian Service in Serbia and Montenegro
1. European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO Balkans), 10-13 November, Vrujci

Language Abilities

Hindi – intermediate level:
2018 Course of Hindi Language – B2.1, Centre for Languages, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy (certificate)
English – upper level:
2013 Business English Language course, American Corner (certificate)
2013 Course of General English for adults – B2, Excalibur language school (certificate)
1. French – intermediate level:
2008 Classes during the school and university days
1. German – basic level:
2006 Course at the Academy language school
1. Serbo-Croatian – native language

Computer Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Various software for audio and video editing
• Editing and design websites: HTML and CMS (Joomla, Elxis, Wordpress, Blogger)

Researching areas

Animal Rights, Ecophilosophy, Bioethics, Indology, Aesthetics, Existentialism, Activism

Work experience

2017 – to date Fit Land – Sport for Everyone:
1. Yoga for Busy People Instructor and Power Yoga Teacher
2015 – to date Ahimsa Yoga & Art:
1. Yoga Instructor and Designer of Aplied Art
2013 – to date Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdjevo:

Teacher of Animal Protection and the Environment, School Subject “Nature Keepers” accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia

2008 – to date Specialized magazines and websites:
1. (Nova misao, Vegazin, Pink, Ziveti zdravije, Blic, Alternative Medicine, BIO Green Medicine;
  Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Animal friends, World Animal Day)
2. Fellow journalist and Editor of publications about aesthetics, bioethics and healthy lifestyle
2011 – 2013 Cultural Centre of Novi Sad (KCNS):
1. Journalist for the cultural magazine “Centre” and Editor of special editions
2010 – 2012 Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre (NSHC):
1. Project Assistant and Coordinator of the Group for the Protection of Animals
2009 – 2010 Private Economy High School in Novi Sad:
1. Teacher of Philosophy
2004 – 2007 Daily newspapers “Gradjanski list”, Novi Sad:
1. Journalist in cultural section
2004 – 2005 Panonia Television, Novi Sad:
1. Journalist for news program and cultural redaction
2004 – 2005 Television Novi Sad (Radio Television of Vojvodina today):
1. Journalist for cultural section in “Novosadske razglednice” newsroom

Other activities

2017 International project “Culture and Art with Indira Gandhi” supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of
1. Serbia and implemented in New Delhi (India)
2013 Selector and co-founder of the film festival on animal rights “Living Meat”, Youth Centre of Belgrade
2012 Editor and co-founder of the film festival on animal rights “Living Meat”, Cultural Centre of Novi Sad
2010 Participant in the shot movie about animal rights “Pork from Prison”
1. Fourth Festival of short film, Radio Cafe, Novi Sad
2009 Guest speaker on animal rights and animal protection
2008 Organizer and participant of activist meetings
2008 Founder of the NGO for the promotion of animal rights “Animal Friends in Serbia”:
1. Leading the organization, team work, PR work, implementation of projects and organization of events
2007 Volunteer associate for several animal protection organizations (DZZ Djurdjevo, AFC, NSHC, SPANS)

Membership in Associations

2018 Yoga Serbia – Association of Independent Societies and Instructors
2017 Research Foundation International – Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
2017 Yoga Alliance
2017 Sports Association Fit Land
2014 International Forum of Teachers (IFT) of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics
2014 Association for the Environmental Protection Refugium
2014 Bioethics Society of Serbia
2013 Club of Teachers
2013 Faculty of Philosophy – Alumni Association
2006 Novi Sad School of Journalism – Alumni Association
2005 Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina

Additional information

2018 Government of India Scholarship for Special Training Programme for Yoga Trainers under The Indian Technical and Economic
1. Cooperation (ITEC)
2018 Profi license – Working permission by Alliance for Recreation and Fitness Serbia (ID: 000236)
2017 Registered Yoga Instructor – RYT 200 (ID: 217301)
2017 Certificate of Appreciation for participation in 1st Animal Protection Congress in Serbia, Animal Rescue Serbia, Belgrade
2014 Certificate of Appreciation for successful cooperation and implementation classes “Nature Keepers”, Veljko Vlahovic School
2009 Driving licence (category B)
2008 Project design and project management experience
2006 Praise Certificate for Outstanding Reader, Novi Sad School of Journalism
2004 Work with children and young people; Cooperation with minority rights organizations

Interests and Hobbies

• Creative and critical writings (essays, reviews, poetry)
• Proofreading of books and articles (published editions)
• Photography (finished course of news photography at the Novi Sad School of Journalism)
• Fine art (painting, drawing, making decorative and useful objects)
• Actively investing in physical and mental development (decade and half of studying and practicing yoga)

Personal characteristics

Precise, Perseverance, Independent, Creative, Initiative, Communicative

Talks and Presentations

2018 International Yoga Day (IDY), presenter
Performance of the Vidya Yoga Belgrade school organized by Embassy of India, 16^th June, Usce Belgrade
2018 Cube of Truth, presenter and educator
Anonymous for the Voiceless, 24th March and 15th July, Novi Sad
2018 The Moral Status of Non-Human Animals in Hellenic philosophy, guest speaker
Center for the Study of Bioethics, 30^th January, Faculty of Philosophy, Belgrade
2017 International Human Rights Day, guest speaker
1. Research Foundation, 10th December, The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
2017 The Forgotten Girl of India, moderator and presenter
The exhibition and book promotion by Maja Familic, 7th December, Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi
2017 The Position of Women in the Society, guest speaker
1. Research Foundation, 3th December, The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
2017 3^rd BeGeVege Festival, guest speaker
Freedom for Animals, 22^nd October, SC Usce, Belgrade

2017 1^st Animal Protection Congress in Serbia „To Match the Cubes“, guest speaker
- Animal Rescue Serbia, 16th September, Hotel Radisson Blu Old Mill, Belgrade
2017 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter (certificate)
- Performance of the European Yoga Federation and Yoga Federation of Serbia, 8^th July, SPENS, Novi Sad

2017 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter (certificate)
1. Performance of the European Yoga Federation and Yoga Federation of Serbia, 1^th July, Tasmajdan Park, Belgrade
2017 International Yoga Day (IDY), presenter
1. Performance of the Vidya Yoga Belgrade school organized by Embassy of India, 17^th June, Kalemegdan Fortress
2016 Catharsis, blue colored, host and guest speaker
1. The opening of the exhibition of paintings by Jasna Djukic, Crna ovca, 12 November, Novi Sad
2016 The Third Meeting of the Associations for Protection of Animals, host and moderator
Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, 7^th October, Novi Sad
2016 Animal Rights Contribution to Non-Violence, host and guest speaker
1. World Animal Day, 4^th October, Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Novi Sad
2016 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter (certificate)
1. Performance of the European Yoga Federation and Yoga Federation of Serbia, 16^th July, Petrovaradin Fortress
2016 International Yoga Day (IDY), presenter
1. Performance of the Vidya Yoga Belgrade school organized by Embassy of India, 19^th June, The National Assembly
2015 International Yoga Day (IDY), presenter
1. Performance of the Hipokrat yoga studio organized by Embassy of India, 21^th June June, Petrovaradin Fortress
2015 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter (certificate)
1. Performance of the European Yoga Federation and Yoga Federation of Serbia, 4^th July, Freedom Square Novi Sad
2015 Animal Rights – Creative Conversation Workshop, author and and educator
1. Youth Centre CK13, 16^th and 17^th May, Novi Sad
2014 Do Animals Have Rights?, host and guest speaker
1. World Animal Day, 4^th October, Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Novi Sad
2014 IV Multidisciplinary Congress with International Participation „Nutrition of the Future“, guest speaker (certificate)
1. Society for Population Policy “Breg”, 4-5 October, SPENS, Novi Sad
2014 Domestic Animals and Humans, host and educator
1. Day of Healthy Food and Animal Protection, 13^th September, Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdevo, Djurdjevo – Animal sanctuary “Monica’s Farm”
2014 Living Danube Caravan, host and presenter
1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Association Refugium and NIDSB Josif Pancic, 1^th July, Novi Sad – Strand
2014 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter
1. Performance of the European Yoga Federation and Yoga Federation of Serbia, 29^th June, Freedom Square Novi Sad
2014 Protest against circuses with animals Corona, presenter
1. Serbian activists for animal rights, 5^th and 25^th June, Novi Sad
2013 Activism for Animal Rights, guest speaker
1. Film festival “Living Meat”, 4^th Oktober, Youth Centre of Belgrade
2013 Activism as a Way to Overcome the Anthropocentric Tradition, guest speaker
1. Third Birthay of Open Kitchen, 4^th September, Youth Centre CK13, Novi Sad
2013 Yoga Days of Good Deeds, presenter
1. “Sun Salutation” yoga series of the Yoga Federation of Serbia, 19^th May, Freedom Square Novi Sad
2012 Five to 12 for Animals, host and presenter
1. World Animal Week, 4^th October, Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Novi Sad
2012 Veg(etari)anism and Animal Rights, presenter and educator of Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre
1. Day of Healthy Food and Animal Protection, 15^th September, Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdevo, Djurdjevo – Animal sanctuary “Monica’s Farm”
2012 Animal Rights and the Education, host and presenter
1. Film festival “Living Meat”, 17-20 May, Cultural Centre of Novi Sad, Novi Sad
2011 We are also Citizens of Novi Sad – protection of animal rights, presenter and educator
1. World Animal Day, 4^th October, Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Novi Sad
2011 Animal Protection and Adoption, presenter and educator of Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre
1. Day of Healthy Food and Animal Protection, 3^th September, Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdevo, Djurdjevo – Animal sanctuary “Monica’s Farm”
2011 The Second Meeting of the Associations for Protection of Animals, host and moderator
1. Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, 30^th March, Novi Sad
2011 The First Meeting of the Associations for Protection of Animals, host and moderator
1. Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, 24^th February, Novi Sad
2010 7. Festival of Joy, presenter and juror
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 13^th June, Belgrade – Sports Centre Olimp
2010 The Hidden Victims of the Laboratory, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 15^th May, Novi Sad
2010 Green Novi Sad Night, presenter
1. Student Association of Novi Sad, 11^th March, Novi Sad
2010 For Novi Sad without Circuses with Animals, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 28^th April, Novi Sad
2010 Meatout Day, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 20^th March, Novi Sad
2010 Did Your Hamburger Have a Face?, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 6^th March, Novi Sad
2010 Large annual protest against fur, presenter
1. Animal Friends in Croatia, 20^th February, Zagreb
2010 Fur Stinks, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends in Serbia, 16^th January, Novi Sad
2009 Planet Vegetarian, presenter and educator
1. Animal Friends, 29^th October, Novi Sad
2008 Veg(etari)anism, host and educator of Animal Friends
1. Day of Healthy Food and Animal Protection, 13^th September, Society for the Protection of Animals and Nature Djurdevo, Djurdjevo – Animal sanctuary “Monica’s Farm”
2008 Blind for Profit, presenter
1. Animal Friends, 26^th August, Novi Sad
2008 Animal Protection, presenter
1. Animal Friends, 4^th October, Animal Friends and Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, Novi Sad

Publications (selection)

Books:

2018 The Breath of Empathy: A Philosophy of Animal Rights. Novi Sad: Self-published. Author Book, Forthcoming (Field of Bioethics)
2010 Fining a Quartz: Friends & Zeljko Medic – Zac. Belgrade: Liber. A collection of poetry (Contribution to the anthology of poems by local authors)

Journal articles:

2017 Animal Rights as a Moral Requirement. Journal of Articles / 1^st Animal Protection Congress in Serbia “To Match the Cubes”, Hotel Radisson Blu Old Mill, September 2017. Belgrade: Animal Rescue Serbia (Scientific article on bioethics)
2017 Top 10 Yoga Exercises for Bigginbers. Novi Sad: Colour Press Group. BIO Green Medicine, number 2 (Author article on yoga)
2017 Yoga Can Keep You From Joint Pain. Novi Sad: Colour Press Group. BIO Green Medicine, number 1 (Author article on yoga)
2017 Yoga Leads to a Higher Level of Energy. Novi Sad: Colour Press Group. Alternativne Medicine, number 1 (Author article on yoga)
2017 Bring Yantras into the House, Change Your Life. Belgrade: Ringier Axel Springer. Magazine “Blic zena”, number 638 (Author article on Indology)
2015 Ahimsa – on a path to personal and collective progress. Belgrade: Macrobiotic prom. Magazine “Ziveti zdravije”, number 69 (Author article on bioethics)
2014 Ahimsa – the ethical principle of non-violence as a path to personal and collective progress. Journal of Articles / IV Multidisciplinary Congress with International Participation “Nutrition of the Future”, SPENS, Novi Sad, 4-5 October 2014. Titel: Society for Population Policy “Breg” (Scientific article on bioethics)
2012 Vegetarianism and the Survival of the Planet. Novi Sad: Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre. Leaflets printed on the occation World Animal Day (Author article about animal rights and environmental protection)
2012 Veg(etari)anism. Novi Sad: Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre. Leaflets printed on the occation World Animal Day (Author article about animal rights and environmental protection)
2011 Everyone Needs to Find Their Expression, Their Style. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, specijal edition number 4 (Interview with the founder of Balkan jazz Dusko Gojkovic)
2011 An Actor as the Main Creator. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, specijal edition number 1 (Interview with Michel Mathieu about experimental theatre)
2011 Symbols of Modern Urban Life. Novi Sad: IU “Misao”. Magazine “Nova misao”, number 14 (presenting the work of Dusan Todorovic)
2010 A Vegan Diet is Ideal. Belgrade: Electronic edition. Magazine “Vegazin” (Interview with Dr Dragan Ivanov about vegetarianism and healthy lifestyles)

Review articles:

2013 Openness and Receptivity to New Trends in Culture. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 19/20 (Review the work of Cultural Centre of Novi Sad)
2013 The Capital Works of the Micro Publisher. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 19/20 (Review the work of publisher “Kisa” regarding tenth anniversary)
2012 Modern Trends of the National Heroine. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 18 (Reviews the exhibition of paintings by Katarina Jovanovic)
2012 Almighty Dialectic of Return to the Nature. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 13/14/15 (Reviews the exhibition of sculptures by Diana Schwarzenberg)
2012 “Realism” as a Representation of the Essence of Things. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 13/14/15 (Reviews the exhibition of work by Constantin Brancusi)
2012 Visual Messages to Archive Changes in Consciousness. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 12 (Reviews the exhibition of representative works by Dusan Todorovic)
2012 Systematic efforts to Be, Become and Remain Free. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 11 (Reviews the book “Philosophical fragments” by Ivan Milenkovic)
2012 Poetic and Visual Essence as the Basis for the Film. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 8 (Reviews the exhibition of photography my Milco Mancevski)
2011 Dali‘s Divine Worlds. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 4 (Reviews the exhibition of graphics by Salvador Dali)
2011 Examination of the Position of Man in the Modern World. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, specijal edition number 1 (Review the theatre show 38. INFANT)
2011 The Emblems of Repressed Emotios That Cannot be Avoided. Novi Sad: Cultural Centre. Magazine “Centre”, number 7 (Reviews the exhibition of graphics by Jasna Gulan)
2010 The Livewire Guide to Going, Being and Staying Veggie! Belgrade: Electronic edition. Magazine “Vegazin” (Book review of Juliet Gellatley)
2010 Skinny Bitch. Belgrade: Electronic edition. Magazine “Vegazin” (Book review of Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin)
2010 Animal Brothers: Reflections on an ethical way of life. Belgrade: Electronic edition. Magazine “Vegazin” (Book review of Edgar Kupfer-Koberwitz).
2010 Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy. Belgrade: Electronic edition. Magazine “Vegazin” (Book review of Joseph R. Des Jardins)

Maja Vučković

Welcome to My Site!

Here you will find a variety of articles on bioethics, aesthetics, ecophilosophy, activism for animal rights and protection, as well as tips for healthy and peaceful life - yoga, veganism etc. Also artistic and decorative items I create, a part of the workshop AHIMSA YOGA & ART.

I hope you will find much more than that, an motivation for your activities and personal development in the first place.

Namaste, Maja