International Youth Day 2006

Tackling Poverty Together

HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER’S STATEMENT

Belgrade, 12th August 2006 - Today is International Youth Day. Our youth deserves a bright future and our country like all countries work for the future of the youth. The situation for our youth in Serbia is a sad one and needs to be remedied. Our future is within Europe and our objective is to become a member of the European Union, to do so we must fulfil our international obligations. We continue to face great economical challenges and mainly the creation of jobs.

A greater effort is needed to focus on our youth. Areas of focus must be on education, employment and future. Our young people are our future and Serbia cannot move forward without qualified young men and women. That is why the top priority and the duty for this country (no matter who is in power), is to provide the young with better education and good job opportunities.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander has created an Education Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation, committed to advance education and academic research in Serbia, to redirect the constant outflow of young brilliant academics and to promote Serbian cultural heritage. The Foundation reflects the Crown Prince’s objective to promote democratic values and economic development in Serbia. By linking Serbian education institutions with highly reputable international institutions and by forming highly educated and well-trained young professionals it connects Serbian youth to the business community and to the World.

The foundation was founded personally by Crown Prince Alexander II with the vision to enable Serbian Youth to get quality education, successful careers and personal fulfilment. This autumn university scholarship students will be going to Nottingham University in the United Kingdom and there are more programmes to come.

It is time to show that we are standing side by side with the World and Europe. It is time for teamwork. Together Everyone Achieves More.

I want to wish all the best for the holidays and International Youth Day. It is time to move forward with decisive, energetic steps.