The exhibition ‘Ivan’s World’, by young author Ivan Jakovljević, was officially opened in the lobby of the Police School “Josip Jović” at the Police Academy on March 10^th.

The exhibition was opened by Mr Evelin Tonković, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, who among other things said that this collaboration of the Police Academy, Ivan Jakovljević, Association for Promoting Inclusion and Center for Rehabilitation Zagreb is a continuation of a beautiful story, beginning of a new friendship and cooperation. Ivan’s drawings featuring police, installations, police motorcycle and another vehicle made of styrofoam encouraged Ivan’s tremendous unfulfilled desire to become a police officer.

Given that Ivan Jakovljević is a person with intellectual disabilities, Police Academy enabled him to realize his desire for a day. His stay at the Police Academy is a part of the documentary film “Hello and Goodbye” by Tomislav Žaja produced by “Gral film.”

This cooperation with the Association for Promoting Inclusion and the Center for Rehabilitation Zagreb spawned the idea of setting up the exhibition of Ivan’s work, which was realized. The exhibition will be open until March 30^th this year.

“Ivan showed us by example that there is no obstacle in life if you have the will, desire, and an objective. He is an example of how to fight battles in life. I was especially inspired by Ivan’s wish to be a cop. It means that he recognized the humanity of this call. Our Academy is honored to be hosting this exhibition and we are delighted to have Ivan here. I would like to compliment the fact that our Academy has recognized his desire and allowed him to spend a day with future police officers at the Academy. I hope that this beautiful story will continue “; stressed among other things Mr Evelin Tonković, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs in his speech during the opening of the exhibition.

In the name of the host of the exhibition Mr Želimir Radmilović, Chief of the Police Academy welcomed the guests.

“The exhibition of Ivan’s work will enrich our space here at the Police School through the next three weeks, and all those who come to visit it will carry a message of spiritual wealth, creativity and imagination of our dear friend. None of us is an island and is not able to walk through life alone. Often, regardless of our position in society, health and economic status, we come up against a wall and do not know how to master or overcome it. At such times we need kind people, people to whom we are important and who are important to us. Ivan’s strength, and above all his curiosity, creativity and optimism, help to get the people around him to understand and discover real values in life, ” said Chief Radmilović.

The opening was also attended by Mr Krunoslav Borovec, Deputy Chief of Police and the Head of the Directorate, Mr Aco Martinović, Head of Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and many other guests, among which were: Mrs Anka Slonjšak, the Ombudsman for persons with disabilities, representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Youth, representatives of city services of care for people with disabilities, representatives of  Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, representatives of Association for Promoting Inclusion and representatives of Center for Rehabilitation.

On Wednesday first organized group from the Centre for Rehabilitation Zagreb – Branch Paunovac led by Mr Denis Paić visited the exhibition. It is important to stress out that the author himself was also a resident of Paunovac for many years. Everyone was delighted by the exhibition. A new group of visitors from branch Paunovac will visit the exhibition on Thursday.

The exhibition can be seen in the lobby of the Police School “Josip Jović” at the Police Academy at Avenue Gojko Sušak on weekdays from 8 to 3 PM, with prior notice.