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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Digital literacy, digital connectivity for all citizens

Belgrade, 23 March 2021

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today at the Forum "Affordable Europe: ICT for All" that over the last few years digital transformation has been one of the key priorities of her government, and that the coronavirus pandemic has proven that the decision to turn to innovation and digitalisation was the right one, perhaps crucial.

Brnabic emphasised that the government led by digitalisation understood as a necessity and a way to offer better public services, better education, a more competitive labour market and an attractive business environment, and that the current technological revolution brings unprecedented changes in lifestyle and work, without precedent.

Progress in this area, she noted, has enabled a rapid response to the crisis caused by the pandemic, which was also key to the successful launch of the immunization campaign against COVID-19.

Thanks to that, Serbia today has the second highest vaccination rate in Europe, after Great Britain, the Prime Minister added.

She said that the state absolutely stands behind the digital agenda, but also has a responsibility to ensure that all its citizens benefit from these efforts, because with the rapid advancement of technology, the risks of social exclusion tend to multiply, affecting the most vulnerable categories in society.

In that context, as she pointed out, the government of Serbia strives to provide two basic preconditions: digital literacy and digital connectivity for all citizens.

The Prime Minister also referred to the reforms of the educational system through the digitalization of schools, with the goal that this process, with the introduction of digital textbooks and digital classrooms, be completed by the end of 2022.

According to her, Serbia was among the first European countries to introduce coding and programming as compulsory subjects in primary schools, while the ultimate goal is the introduction of a broadband network for 99% of households by 2025.

Brnabic reminded that the Strategy for Improving the Position of Persons with Disabilities was adopted last year, which especially focuses on the accessibility of information and assistive technology.

In this regard, the government is working on creating a new e-service that will greatly facilitate and speed up the process of applying for parking stickers and parking spaces for people with disabilities, said the Prime Minister.

With the support of the International Telecommunication Union, a National ICT Accessibility Study has been prepared and will be published soon. This study will enable the mapping and creation of systemic and sustainable solutions that will open space for progress, so that no citizen is left out of the benefits that technology brings, the Prime Minister explained.

The cooperation between the Government and the ITU lays the foundations for future steps that should lead to a fully inclusive society, Brnabic concluded.