English

Montenegro has enormous potential beyond its borders

Refik Radončić

Mr Refik Radončić, originally from Gusinje, has been living in New York for almost three decades. He is a winner of the award granted by our country to the most creditable representatives of our diaspora. Mr Radončić received this award for his engagement in the area of diplomacy and promotion of Montenegro. In an interview for Dnevne novine, he talks about the award, diaspora, his homeland, “Gusinje” foundation and our people in the world.

DN: Montenegro has recognized your efforts and contribution you have made to its promotion. What does this award mean to you?

Mr Radončić: It’s an incentive to put even greater effort into the promotion of my homeland. I am very happy, the award aroused strong feelings. I’ve been spreading love among citizens during hard times. There are good and bad people, more good than the bad ones, I’ve always believed that. I’ve always endeavored to transfer that love to my family, friends, interlocutors… We have to make our contribution. This award means that everything I had done for my homeland has been recognized and appreciated.

DN: What did you do in order to promote Montenegro?

Mr Radončić: I’d like to tell you first why I do that. Break-up of Yugoslavia hit me very hard. I went to pieces and I wanted to contribute to reconciliation. I didn’t want evil to win. I wanted to build the awareness of our people and make them acknowledge the importance of respect for every individual, whoever he/she is. That was the direction of our activities. One of the first tribunes was held right here in New York. It was dedicated to the promotion of Montenegro and its values, the country of all of us. And it’s become normal practice.

DN: You were one of the organizers of the Movement for Montenegrin independence in diaspora?

Mr Radončić: That’s correct. I’ve been fighting for my country ever since. I always present Montenegro as a destination that must be visited.

DN: Do you cooperate with the association of our emigrants worldwide?

Mr Radončić: I take part in many associations in NY which are directly related to my homeland and the town I was born in. Our activities are diverse.

DN: What does Montenegro look like to you today?

Mr Radončić: I am a great optimist by nature. A dreamer. I had great expectations about the renewal of independence. I even wanted to come back. My dream came true in America but I wanted to live that dream in Montenegro. A lot of good job has been done, but not as much as it should have. Most people in Montenegro expect others to do something for them. It’s not going to happen. Everybody believes that it’s better somewhere else. It’s not, I’m telling you. It’s all up to you.

DN: You are the founder of “Gusinje” foundation. How much has your foundation been helpful  for your town?

Mr Radončić: The foundation was formed in 2006 with the aim of helping the town i was born in. As its founder and first president, I wanted to acquaint Montenegrin public with Gusinje and bring the problems and causes of migrations closer to them. In that context, I was advocating for the renewal of the Municipality of Gusinje. Activities of the Foundation are numerous, and not only in Gusinje. We helped the construction of the Municipality building, arrangement of town cemetery, reconstruction of ambulance, school equipment…

DN: You were president of the Committee on Construction of Montenegrin House in NYC. How far have you come with that project?

Mr Radončić: That foundation was founded with a view to creating room for country representations and all economic representations present on the American market. We planned to turn that house into headquarters of all cultural and promotional activities related to Montenegro where we could exchange opinion related to our diaspora.

Unfortunately, the project failed. However, I firmly believe that somebody will recognize the importance of this idea and put it into effect.

DN: Tell us something about yourself.

Mr Radončić I don’t like boasting. I guess I’m a rich and successful man. It might not be an enormous welath for American standards, but it sure is for a man who came to NYC from Gusinje, with no capital and no language skills. Even from the viewpoint of Americans, what I did was a success. I own many hotels, catering, construction companies…

DN: How much has Montenegro done for diaspora?

Mr Radončić: There’s enormous potential outside Montenegro and if it’s used the right way, it can mean a lot for the economic progress. There are many young people studying at prestigious universities. Also, many young people already work in world-known companies. That’s the potential that should be exploited so that Montenegro can develop further. In that sense, I have to praise the engagement of the Diaspora Administration which is doing a good job in making Montenegro more attractive and more successful.

 

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