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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Drafting of local action plans for children begins

Belgrade, 9 June 2006

Serbian Minister of Health and President of the Serbian Children’s Rights Council Tomica Milosavljevic said today that the drafting of local actions plans for children (LPA) in 14 municipalities of Serbia has begun. The action plans aim to give children top priority in developmental activities in these municipalities.

Ann Lee Swenson, Tomica Milosavljevic and Vladan Vasic

Speaking at a press conference, which was organised by the UNICEF and the Serbian Children’s Rights Council, Milosavljevic explained that the LPA are strategic documents which define the guidelines and developmental priorities until 2010, with particular focus on the poorest and most isolated families and children in society.

The drafting of these plans is in accordance with the National Action Plan for Children in Serbia, which was adopted in February 2004, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Millennium Declaration and the declaration entitled “A World Fit for Children”, said the Minister.

He said that the priorities of the National Action Plan for Children are poverty reduction, quality education, better health, improving the position and rights of children with special needs, protection of orphaned children’s rights, and the protection of children from abuse, neglect and violence.

Municipalities which have, through their mayors, taken on the obligation to begin drafting the plans are Kanjiza, Senta, Valjevo, Koceljeva, Uzice, Krusevac, Lebane, Bela Palanka, Prokuplje, Vranje, Prijepolje, Priboj, Nova Varos and Ljubovija, said Milosavljevic. He added that the local action plans have already been developed in Kragujevac, Sjenic and Pirot.

UNICEF Director for Serbia Ann Lee Swenson said it is very important that the first step in the work of LPA should be an in-depth analysis with special focus on poverty and discrimination against children.

She explained that the municipalities will do research on the condition of children in their environment, and then begin to implement measures in order to improve their position, in accordance with specific requirements of local surroundings.

According to Swenson, development and implementation of LPA demands active participation by the social and private sectors, civil society, the entire community and the children themselves.