CSR Serbia Conference 2024

Dame i gospodo, dobar dan!

It is a privilege to address you today. Thank you, Robert, for the invitation. It is also a pleasure to be here at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, a vital partner in integrating the child rights perspective into the business sector.

Today, as we stand at a crucial point defined by complex global challenges, it is clear that businesses have a great ability to shape our collective future. The decisions we make today have far-reaching consequences for children and families.

UNICEF's latest report, "Prospects for Children in 2024: Cooperation in a Fragmented World," emphasizes the critical need for collaboration to tackle issues threatening children's futures. Key global trends impacting children include geopolitical shifts risking conflicts, economic fragmentation affecting family stability and youth employment, and systemic failures in addressing children's issues due to a fragmented system. Additionally, environmental and technological challenges pose significant threats to children's health and safety.

But any crisis can be a catalyst for change - providing unique opportunities to reshape societies for the better. Organizations that have pivoted around resilience and seized emerging opportunities have not only survived but also thrived.

In Serbia, demographic challenges such as a shrinking and aging population put additional pressure on our working population and social services. In response, it is imperative that we make well-planned investments in education and services to enhance the quality of life for families with children. If we invest in every single child this will ensure that Serbia's future workforce will be big enough and well-equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Collaboration is the key word in an increasingly complex global landscape. Recognizing their pivotal role, businesses are joining this effort, committing their resources and influence to ensure sustainable solutions that benefit children and young people.

Just yesterday, UNICEF proudly announced a landmark partnership with NELT Group, committing US$ 1.3 million over the next three years. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the education landscape not just in Serbia, but also in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Angola. Our joint initiative will equip over 15,000 children in Serbia with critical digital skills, essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. This effort extends beyond digital literacy; it is a direct response to the pressing challenges of youth unemployment and the integration of technology in education.

We know that the well-being of future generations hinges on our foresight and actions today. And our partners in the business sector play a pivotal role. By advocating for sustainable practices and family-friendly policies, businesses directly affect environmental, social, and economic outcomes that will define the futures of children globally and here in Serbia.

Businesses that lead in sustainable growth by investing in technologies and practices that prioritize long-term welfare over short-term gains set a standard for corporate responsibility. They create environments that promote safe and inclusive workplaces, benefiting families and building stronger, more resilient, societies.

Let us be inspired to act with foresight and strategic intent. Our collective efforts can transform how businesses are perceived—not just as profit generators but as builders of enduring legacies that impact children's lives positively.

And finally, I want to take this opportunity to invite companies here today to join UNICEF to shape the future! Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, both here in Serbia and around the world.

Hvala!