Game Changers - IN PURSUIT OF BALANCE
The IDEAS Center for Research and Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue and the British Embassy in Belgrade, organized a conference GAME CHANGERS - IN PURSUIT OF BALANCE from February 9 to 11 in Belgrade.
Human rights and solidarity during the global race for economic stabilization due to the pandemic, as well as solutions that will prevent the damage most felt by our citizens from the most vulnerable social groups, was the topic of the opening panel including the Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Gordana Čomić, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on LGBT+ Rights, Rt Hon Lord Herbert of South Downs, HM Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia Sian MacLeod, Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Janković, UNHCR Deputy Representative in Serbia Stefanie Krause, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Mirko Janić.
Two representatives of the Nordic Business Alliance also participated in the opening panel.
Member of the NBA Board and IKEA SEE Communications Director, Maja Vujašković Đureinović spoke about IKEA’s commitment to protect the position of vulnerable social groups. She stated that the vision of the company is to advocate for positive changes in society and to promote the principles of inclusion and diversity: “The principles of inclusion and diversity are our top priorities. For several years now, we in Serbia have been engaged in initiatives that are socially important - we promote closing the gender gap, we fight for the eradication of domestic violence in the context of the Kovid-19 epidemic, we promote LGBT + community rights, and integration of refugees in the workplace.“
NBA Executive Director, Iva Petrović underlined that although we are all aware that in time of crisis it is necessary to pay special attention to the balance between economic growth and social inclusion, it is even more important to lay a strong foundation for an inclusive growth model going forward. This model includes all actors - from the state, through the private sector to civil society organizations. “All of them contribute to a more sustainable human economies and just societies. This model reconciles dynamic growth with equality and social peace, and lessons we can learn are designed to benefit all stakeholders (and the environment) and as a result improve living standards, reduce inequality, and narrow the social divides.”
The conclusion of the conference is that during the socio-economic crisis caused by the pandemic, it is more important than before to discuss respect for human rights and solidarity, and the goal in the coming period is to create a unique platform for dialogue on social and economic justice which will have the power to influence the position of minority and vulnerable groups in the labor market: institutions, companies, international organizations, but also representatives of the civil sector from Serbia.
