“The Republic of Serbia published the 2010 National Report on the Millennium Development Goals aimed at reaching the Millennium Development Goals. The report shows that Serbia is well on its way to reach the Millennium Development Goals, but differences remain. The National Report shows that mortality of children below 5 years of age is three times higher in the Roma than in the rest of the population. Almost 50% of Roma families live below the poverty line. Educational coverage remains high at 94.8%”, said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, taking part in the 124^th IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) Assembly in Panama, from 15 to 20 April 2011.

The NARS Speaker had one of the most important roles in the panel discussion Overcoming barriers: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals and equality for children, organised by the UNICEF and IPU. At the beginning of the panel, comprising 200 members from about 70 delegations, the participants were addressed by IPU President Theo-Ben Guribab who highlighted the importance of the panel and the selected panelists. In addition to the NARS Speaker, a European parliament speaker, Kenyan and Chilean parliament speakers, as well as African and South American parliament speakers also spoke at the panel.

In her address, among other things the Speaker presented the work of the Children’s Rights Working Group as it is the only body of its kinds in the region and wider. “It is my great pleasure to inform you that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is highly involved in promoting and protecting children’s right in our country. The NARS Children’s Rights Working Group, created in late 2009, comprises the highest NARS dignitaries and UNICEF representatives. This body rises above our political differences and works for the children’s best interest”, stressed the Speaker.

The second part of the panel discussion was marked by a wide debate gathering 19 participants. Following the completion of the panel the Speaker declared that important experiences had been shared and important steps taken which have to be followed by concrete action in the near future, so that they do not remain on paper. During the session, various bilateral meetings were organised between the NARS Speaker and other IPU member states’ parliament speakers.

The NARS Speaker, who is also the head of the NARS standing delegation to the IPU, and deputies Zeljko Tomic and Nemanja Sarovic took part in the general debate, as well as in all the Assembly committees. The Assembly’s main topic was Parliamentary accountability: living up to people’s expectations.