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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Innovations, education as drivers of Serbia’s growth, development

Belgrade, 20 August 2017

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic opened today the international conference "Genome editing: biomedical and ethical perspectives" jointly organised by the Centre for Bioethics Studies (CBS) in Belgrade, the Hastings Centre from New York and the Medical School of New York University.

Brnabic pointed out that today's conference brings together world experts and scientists who will talk not only about technology, but also about how different spheres of our lives are affected, stressing that the role of the government is to create an education system that will enable young people in Serbia to develop critical and analytical thinking, at the same time encouraging dialogue from which the best solutions will come from.

This is what is promoted by today's conference, as experts talk about how social justice, morality and ethics impact technology that is growing faster and affects the lives of each of us, she said.

Noting that the confrontation of different ideas and opinions is a feature of a strong ecosystem that fosters innovation, the Prime Minister stressed that Belgrade and other cities in Serbia have always cultivated such a way of thinking.

Education and innovation are the most important priorities of the government of Serbia because they are the key drivers of our growth and development, Brnabic said addressing world-renowned experts and scientists participating in the gathering.

Speaking about the acceleration of our growth, the Prime Minister stressed that reliance on traditional development sectors is not enough, but that as a society we must actively seek ways to prepare our young people for the future.

Under conditions of constant changes that globalisation imposes on all countries, and especially those with relatively small populations, Serbia must prepare for the change. We must understand how technology and innovation affect our everyday life, starting from what we eat, to how we treat ourselves, Brnabic said.

She added that the government has a decisive role in creating an incentive ecosystem for the development of innovations and strongly supports the field of research and development in innovative companies that are working for our citizens for future business.

I remind you that the Innovation Fund of the Republic of Serbia paid last year alone a financial assistance of €3 million to institutions and companies engaged in research and development, which allowed them to increase their revenues by more than 50%, and exports five times, the Prime Minister noted, adding that this created additional value for our economy as well as new jobs for our youth.

The intention of this government is to promote Serbia as the centre of progressive innovations in the region, the Prime Minister concluded in her address, and stressed that the holding of today's conference in Serbia is a decisive step in the right direction.

She reminded that the Centre for the Research of Stem Cells was founded in Kragujevac, the first of its kind in Europe, and that we should all be proud of that fact.

Brnabic emphasised that she is proud of the fact that our country today hosts top world experts and scientists, adding that she expects Serbia to host again such important meetings and send a message on modern Serbia, which is already part of the modern world that is rapidly changing and developing.

The International Genome Editing Conference, to be held in Belgrade, is announced as one of the most important bioethical events in the world this year. Although genetic and therapeutic editing, which implies this process at an early stage of development and represent a breakthrough in the field of science and medicine, at the same greater responsibility in their use is needed.

Some of the most prominent names in the world of science and philosophy will discuss at this year's conference, among other things, whether genetic editing leads to the eradication of many diseases (genetic diseases, malignancies, HIV/AIDS) or can slip into unwanted forms of genetic engineering.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed the Centre for Bioethics Studies in Belgrade for the UNESCO Headquarters for Bioethics for Europe, while the University of Cambridge at CBS has established a Cambridge working group for bioethical education.

In the past four years, CBS has organised two major international conferences – in 2013, in cooperation with Oxford and in 2015 in cooperation with the Heistings Centre.