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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Children’s Week begins in Serbia

Belgrade, 1 October 2007

Serbian Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic said today, on occasion of the beginning of Children’s Week that in Serbia more than 400,000 children are living in poverty, while half of them live in extreme poverty.

Author: Tanjug

Ljajic told a press conference that this event will last until October 7 and added that according to UNICEF statistics, 150,000 children in Serbia are malnourished, and 46% of Roma children do not have a meal every day.

Opening the event, the Minister said that a number of concrete measures will be taken and legislation will be completed which will contribute to improving the position of children and create conditions for a safe and happy childhood in Serbia.

He said that in 2004 the Serbian government adopted a national action plan which is a strategic document to improve the position of children in the country.

According to Ljajic, priorities are to reduce poverty among children, to provide quality education and better health to all children, to improve the position of children with disabilities and those without parents, as well as to protect children from abuse and violence.

Ljajic said that by the end of the year a law on protection of children will be adopted. He added that the adoption of this law is envisaged by the Convention on the Rights of the Child which Serbia ratified, and it is also envisaged that a general antidiscrimination law and a law on protecting children from violence will also be adopted.

Serbian Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Vesna Fila said that this ministry has for a number of years implemented actions such as School without Violence, which in cooperation with the UNICEF is being realised since two years in 76 schools in Serbia. She also mentioned projects such as the Fund for Young Talents which provides scholarships to talented children.

Director of UNICEF in Serbia Maria Luisa Fornara said that democratic changes have improved children’s position in Serbia, but more than 300,000 children are still living in poverty.

During the Children’s Week which is being held this year will include several events and one of them will be the traditional Neven literary award ceremony.