The public hearing on "From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development" organised by the Poverty Reduction Committee was held at the National Assembly House. 17 October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The European Union defines social inclusion as a process which ensures that those prevented from fully participating in social relations and trends due to poverty, lack of basic skills or discrimination gain the opportunity and resources necessary to participate in economic, social and cultural life and enjoy a standard of living considered normal in the society in which they live.

Addressing the participants of the public hearing the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic said:

“Welcome to the National Assembly House where, I am very pleased to note, we often meet to discuss, even outside of the plenary hall, topics of life interest to our citizens. I am extremely glad that we have with us today representatives of the ministries of health, labour and social policy, economy and regional development, as well as education and science of the Government of the Republic of Serbia as this guarantees that the discussion in the course of the public hearing organised by the Poverty Reduction Committee whose initiative I commend wholeheartedly, on “From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development", will be comprehensive indeed.

In the course of the day we will have the opportunity to hear, among other things, findings presented by our colleague from the Government, Mr. Zarko Sunderic, who will speak on the behalf of the Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Team, relating to the poverty profile in our country. The data showing that, for example, in 2010 more than 9% of our population became part of the category of the poor is extremely alarming and urges all the social elements to join forces so as to beat the odds currently working against us.

The National Assembly’s role emphasises the fact that people are at the centre of the national consensus on poverty reduction and inclusion of vulnerable population categories into trends accessible to other citizens. All the anti-discriminatory laws we passed and all those whose provisions improve the position of marginalised groups are part of the legislative corpus we use to combat poverty as marginalised groups are the segment of our society most exposed to poverty.

I personally deeply believe that inclusion or, in other words, ensuring that everybody has access to what Serbian society has achieved is the key word in the anti-poverty struggle. That is why today’s gathering is so important. The Social Welfare Law passed in March 2011, the Law on Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Law on the Basis of the System of Education and Upbringing, the part relating to inclusive education – these are all concrete manifestations of National Assembly’s taking the necessary steps within its purview in this sphere.

In addition to NARS, every segment of our society shares some of the responsibility and plays its role in overcoming the problems we will deal with today. Applauding the intensely developing social dialogue in this high house, allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to once again welcome you to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and wish you fruitful deliberations.”