Government of the Republic of Serbia
The Fourth National Conference on Poverty Reduction in Serbia was held on March 5, 2009 in Belgrade . The Conference was organized by the Government of Serbia and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Implementation Focal Point. Deputy Prime Minister Đelić presented the latest data on poverty trends in Serbia in 2008, line ministries presented their achievements and announced the forthcoming steps relating to poverty reduction and social inclusion in Serbia. In addition to the representatives of line ministries, the Conference was attended by the representatives of the National Assembly, local authorities, non-government organizations, labor unions, employers and international donors.
Head of the World Bank to Serbia, Simon Gray awarded the Deputy Prime Minister’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Implementation Focal Point (DPM PRS IFP) and the Republic Statistical Office with the annual award for Improving the Lives of People in Europe and Central Asia.
At the introductory session of the Conference, the participants were addressed by Mr. Božidar Đelić, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations; Mr. Rasim Ljajić, Minister of Labor and Social Policy; Mr. Alberto Cammarata, Head of the European Integration Section, Delegation of the EC to the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Paul Wafer, Head of Department for International Development (DfID) for Serbia; Ms. Snežana Stojanović Plavšić, Chair of the Poverty Reduction Committee of the National Assembly; Ms. Bobana Macanović, Autonomous Women’s Center, Civil Society Focal Point for Women issues; Мr. Simon Gray, Head of the World Bank Office for Serbia; Mr. Dragan Vukmirović, Director of the Republic Statistical Office and Ms. Gordana Matković, Minister of Social Affairs in the Government of Mr. Zoran Đinđić.
Although the overall goal defined in the PRS to reduce by half the number of poor population in Serbia by 2010 has been achieved, the complex poverty reduction process is far from finalized. It is vital to further promote current and develop new measures and policies in the field of poverty reduction and social inclusion. On its path of European Integrations, Serbia is expected to adapt the quality of life of its citizens, in particular vulnerable population, to European Union standards. Furthermore, we are facing the impact of the global financial crisis which shall have repercussions on accelerated economic development and slow down the realization of envisaged measures in almost all areas. It is necessary, more than ever before, to define our development priorities, in particular in the areas affecting the life of the most vulnerable population of Serbia.
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