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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

112 schools apply for “School without Violence” project

Belgrade, 17 April 2006

Serbian Minister of Education and Sport Slobodan Vuksanovic stated today that 112 schools have applied to participate in the continuation of the project "School without Violence", which clearly shows their motivation to solve the problem of violent behaviour among students.

At a press conference Vuksanovic stressed that the project aims to make schools a friendly environment for students. UNICEF Area Representative for Serbia and Montenegro Ann-Lis Svensson, Deputy Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Policy Vesna Piperski and principal of Belgrade's Miroslav Antic elementary school Biljana Radosavljevic also attended the conference.

Vuksanovic recalled that the project has so far involved 54 schools in Serbia and that it is carried out in cooperation with the UNICEF, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy, the council on child rights and office for educational development.

This project is different because it involves everyone at school in a process of training and education during which they learn how to recognise, prevent and properly react to any instances of violent behaviour. This will reduce the level of violence on school premises, said the Minister.

According to Vuksanovic, children, parents and teachers formulate the rules of behaviour together, and they also determine the responsibility for and consequences of breaking the rules. They are the ones who establish the procedure and instruments to facilitate the implementation of measures for the prevention of violent behaviour, he added.

Ann-Lis Svensson at today's press conference

Ann-Lis Svensson said that violence in schools exists in all countries of the world and noted that Serbia has made a first step in its prevention.

She said that cooperation of schools, parents and the whole community is necessary for implementation of the “School without Violence” programme, whose aim is to build a safe and positive environment.

The funds for financing the project, whose realisation was sponsored by basketball star and UNICEF’s ambassador Aleksandar Djordjevic, were provided from the private sector and individual donations.

Funds for this project will also be raised from the Belgrade marathon, which takes place next week. Local authorities are also to take part in the project.