The Center for Democracy Foundation organised a debate on child poverty and the 2030 Agenda, on May 23.

The debate included a presentation of the Child Poverty and the 2030 Agenda analysis, drafted by the Associate Prof. Marina Savković, PhD, containing recommendations aiming to contribute to the eradication of child poverty.

The introductory speakers included Prof. Slavica Đukić Dejanović, PhD (Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on the 2030 Agenda), Biljana Mladenović (UNICEF), Jovana Božičković (KOMS), Associate Prof. Marina Savković, PhD (CDF), Jelena Tanasijević, PhD (SOS Children’s Villages), Prof. Nevena Vučković-Šahović, PhD (UN Children’s Rights Committee member 2003-2009; Child Rights Centre) and Nataša Vučković (CDF).

The debate also brought together the representatives of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, National Employment Service Serbia, civil society organizations, researchers, Red Cross, SCTM, social services centers and trade unions..

The discussion highlighted that child poverty impacts those who are most vulnerable in society and produces serious long-term effects on the overall development of society.

In addition to strategic and legal frameworks, it is necessary to strengthen institutional capacities, especially at the local level and in particular those of social services centers. Furthermore, it is also necessary to intensify public education efforts in order to encourage youth become active participants in social processes

It was concluded that children need to be placed at the center of efforts to combat poverty, as this is key to reducing poverty numbers over the long run. It is also vital to take into account the multidimensional child poverty perspective and to think about the welfare of all households in which children are being raised.

The public debate was organized as part of the Advisory Thematic Group – Eradicating Poverty, established within the SDGs for ALL Platform.

Download: Child Poverty and the 2030 Agenda analysis

Video: https://youtu.be/cIYaCxIpE5k