Stephen Wordsworth, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Belgrade supported signing of the Memorandum of co-operation between Save the Children UK and Serbian Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

 

 

At the reception held at the Residence on 18 September Tim Bainbridge, SerbiaProgramme Country Manager and RasimLjajić, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare signed the Memorandum on joint implementation of "Work Together for Child Protection" SC Programme.  The purpose of the Memorandum is to confirm common efforts by the Ministry and SC UK to improve the situation of all children, especially those coming from the most vulnerable groups, such as children from socially deprived families and minority groups, children deprived of parental care and so forth.

 

Ambassador Wordsworth reminded that Save the Children is the oldest and the largest independent global organisation for children, making a difference to children's lives in over 120 countries.

 

 

Tim Bainbridge pointed out that this programme on child protection, which will be implemented together with Serbian Government in the next three years, has financial support of the European Union.  He emphasised that in Serbia only 30 percent of Roma children receive education, and that around 150.000 children are classified as being poor.

 

Minister Ljajic stated that in Serbia there are around 1.660.000 children and young people up till 19 years of age and that because of that fact National Action Plan has been adopted in order to improve the situation.

 

"There are 400.000 poor children in Serbia, and between 150-200.000 children unable to meet their basic needs. Our obligation, as a state, is to create legal and political framework for poverty reduction", said Ljajić.

  

 

Margarita Yianakieva and DraganaStrinić, SCProgramme Managers presented two main Save the Children efforts in introducing and mainstreaming of inclusive education and child protection programmes, particularly in assisting the most vulnerable categories of children: children with needs for special support and Roma.