2023-05-12

Debate: Availability of Primary and Secondary Education and Health Care Services in the Local Community

Centre Dialogue – Social Forum

On 12 May 2023, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised the debate: Availability of Primary and Secondary Education and Health Care Services in the Local Community, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Partaking in the discussion were: Marija Radovanović, Perspectives for young people in rural areas in Serbia, GIZ; Maja Knežević, Head of Department for Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth, SKGO; Ksenija Petovar, Center for Democracy Foundation; Danijel Dašić, expert on decentralization issues, independent expert; Miroslav Tamburić, FORCA Association Požega; Branislav Todorović, ProTok21 Association Smederevo; Nataša Vučković, Center for Democracy Foundation. The conversation was moderated by journalist, Petrica Đaković.

Almost seven percent of children of primary school age remain excluded from the education system, and many children who complete primary school cannot attend secondary school due to the difficult socioeconomic situation of their families. As many as 40% of municipalities and towns in Serbia with approx. 1,000,000 inhabitants do not have public transportation available to them, depraving them of certain basic social rights. A large number of people are unable to meet their health care needs. Many members of vulnerable groups find themselves in a vicious circle of poverty and social exclusion. The elderly, among others, are in a particularly difficult position, as well as the young, who lack quality support from society.

At this debate we wanted to examine how to improve services of public interest in the local community that improve people's lives. Can we expect systemic solutions to these problems from the state? What are the legal obligations of local self-government units in terms of organising communal activities of importance to the inhabitants? Can we ensure greater access to education for young people in local communities? How can we improve the health care system to increase availability and quality of services? What can be done to strengthen intergenerational trust and solidarity? In what way can we contribute to the development of services in the community in accordance with citizens’ needs? What role does civil society play in this?

We organised the following debate in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Centre Dialogue – Social Forum.