Employment and social policy in Serbia and Montenegro

Twenty seventh NGO meeting at The White Palace

Belgrade, 5 May 2004 – Twenty seventh NGO meeting was organized today by the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine. This meeting was attended by over fifty members of NGOs, representatives of World Bank, UN and Red Cross. The present were addressed by the new Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Affairs, HE Mr. Slobodan Lalovic, Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Dragisa Dabetic and Mrs. Vera Kovacevic from the same Ministry.

At the beginning of the meeting the guests were welcomed by HRH Crown Princess Katherine who pointed out the need for working together in achieving the noble causes, and the need to help those who need help most. Despite his many obligations, the meeting was also attended by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II.

HE Minister Lalovic presented the situation in Serbia and emphasized the key importance of solidarity in achieving improvements in our society, giving estimate that it will take up to ten years for the more significant recovery of our country. Commissioner Dabetic pointed out the issue of returning of the refugees to their homes, particularly to Croatia, and Mrs. Vera Kovacevic shortly introduced the Poverty Reduction Program, as well as the efforts to moderate the inevitable consequences of transition.

The central issue, according to Minister Lalovic, is increasing employment in Serbia, and although he predicted difficulties in the next five years, he concluded that all the efforts are being made to find solutions.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 10 June at 10:00 a.m. at The White Palace.

The Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine was established in Belgrade in August 2001 soon after HRH Crown Prince Alexander and HRH Crown Princess Katherine returned to their homeland after more than fifty years of exile. The main task is to continue and expand the humanitarian activities started back in 1993 in London when Lifeline Humanitarian Organization was founded. Lifeline provides humanitarian help to all those in need regardless of religion or ethnic origin. Today Lifeline humanitarian organization under patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine has its offices in New York, Chicago, Toronto, London and Athens, and the centre of all activities is in Belgrade, i.e. at the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine.