At the very beginning, Paunovic greeted the attendees on her own behalf, on behalf of the National Assembly Speaker Dr Vladimir Orlic, as well as on behalf of all the MPs and members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. She said that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia traditionally organises student parliament sessions aiming to highlight the importance of and contribute to the strengthening of the student parliament as one of the forms of children's participation in decision-making.

"Participation in the work and functioning of the student parliament is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child as the fundamental document for planning and implementing activities during Children's Week. I am glad that today's student parliament session is dedicated to the importance and contribution of children and young people to environmental protection. It is a unique opportunity for you, young people, highlight the significance and importance of children's participation in environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as the positive impact in this area, which you will have on your parents and the society as a whole", stated the Deputy Speaker.

She pointed out that the child's right to a healthy environment is guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international documents, and exercising the child's right to a healthy environment is essential for the full realisation of numerous other children's rights and at the same time obliges the state to undertake measures to prevent environmental pollution. She added that the multiple importance of the right to participation provides that the child has the right to freely express their own opinion and the right to have that opinion taken into account in all matters and procedures that concern them, such as environmental protection.

Paunovic underlined that it is necessary to raise the level of children and young people’s awareness about their right to a healthy environment, strategic policies in this area and how to participate in the creation and advocacy of local policies, adding that all the participants in today’s session should send a clear message about the exceptional importance of children's participation in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Finally, she expressed hope that through the debate at this session, the students would come up with recommendations and conclusions that would greatly contribute to the further improvement of both the environmental protection and the protection of children's rights.