Addressing the participants of the General Assembly, Jana Ljubicic stressed that anti-discrimination, the right to work and the protection of special population categories such as the youth, women and persons with disabilities are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia. Our country has ratified almost all international agreements guaranteeing human rights and equality, stressed Ljubicic underlining the role of the National Assembly, as the supreme legislative body, in creating the conditions conducive to social equality, combating poverty and social exclusion and achieving social solidarity. Pointing out that the goal is not only to secure social welfare for the poor but to find a lasting solution to the problem of unemployment and stimulate social inclusion, the National Assembly Secretary General highlighted the importance of adopting the Bill on Social Entrepreneurship and Employment in Social Enterprises, currently in assembly procedure. In her address, Ljubicic also said that one of the National Assembly’s priorities is to improve its control role by monitoring the implementation of the adopted legislation.
The participants were also addressed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour, Social Issues, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction, Milica Dronjak who presented the Committee’s scope and role in the fight against poverty.
The President of the European Anti-Poverty Network Sergio Aires and the President of the Anti-Poverty Network Serbia Management Board, Slobodan Cvejic also spoke at the opening of the General Assembly of the European Anti-Poverty Network.
The General Assembly of European Anti-Poverty Network, held in Belgrade on 14 and 15 June 2013, is organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network and Anti-Poverty Network Serbia, with the support of the European Commission.