The objective of the visit, organized under the auspices of the 141st IPU Assembly in Belgrade, was to present the situation and operation of the largest residential institution for children in Serbia.

The Centre accommodates a total of 355 children and the professionals working there are constantly trying to improve the quality of care by engaging volunteers, organizing inclusive activities and actively facilitating contacts between parents and children whenever possible.

The process of de-institutionalization was initiated in 2000 as a priority facet of the overall social system reform and as one of the long-term priorities of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Today, Serbia is one of the countries with the lowest institutionalization rate in the region. However, despite the progress made, the overall rate of child/family separation remains high which calls for further investments in strengthening family support. Children with disabilities are of particular concern, as they represent 72% of all children in residential institutions.