The project was presented by the director for political development and planning Gordana Rajkov of the Centre for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia. It is her belief that the Working Group should concentrate on tasks dealing with the adoption of new and improvement of existing laws, monitoring of the implementation of laws in practice, improving communication and cooperation with the representatives of PWD organisations in the creation of policies and affirming the principle of independent living in the Parliament and the public.

Gordana Rajkov then touched on areas of special significance for persons with disabilities such as accessibility, strengthening economic independence, inclusive education, decentralisation and social protection. She also said that it would be useful to have topical sittings and public hearings and to assess bills from the aspect of persons with special needs.

Working Group Chairperson Dr Vesna Rakonjac said she was pleased that the Working Group for the Political Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has been set up in the new legislature and proposed that its key task be visiting local self-governments to assess the situation in the field and ascertain the problems faced by persons with disabilities. She stressed another key issue should be the budgeting of projects concerning the independent living of persons with disabilities, through the training of personnel to assists persons with disabilities take more active part in all the spheres of social life.

MP and Working Group member Dubravka Filipovski suggested that the members of the Centre for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia prepare an annual action plan which the Working Group for the Political Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities could follow and give its full contribution to its cause.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Vesna Rakonjac, and attended by the following Working Group members: Milanka Jevtovic Vukojicic, Ljupka Mihajlovska, Marija Janjusevic, Milena Corilic, Dubravka Filipovski, Milena Bicanin and Vesna Ivkovic.