We want our regional office in Novi Pazar to be a source of support and a reliable partner for all those who share our vision: a society without discrimination and a society of equal opportunities for all. This was also the reason why Bogdan Banjac, Head of the Project Group of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, and Almir Pružljanin from the Commissioner’s regional office in Novi Pazar held a series of meetings over the past several days.

An exceptionally substantive discussion was held with the principals of primary and secondary schools, with whom colleagues from the Commissioner’s Office discussed concrete steps for advancing equality, recognising and preventing all forms of discrimination, as well as strengthening awareness of human rights within the education system and the need to improve and build a safer, more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

A working meeting was also held in Novi Pazar with representatives of various services and sectors of the local self-government. During this meeting, among other things, the discussion focused on social protection mechanisms, the necessity of improving the system of free legal aid and laying stronger foundations for systemic cooperation.

Banjac and Pružljanin also spoke with Dr Šemsudin Plojović, Coordinator of the Regional Innovation Smart City Centre, about the possibilities of integrating the principles of equality into modern technological developments.

Challenges in the field of equality and the improvement of the position of groups at greater risk of discrimination were discussed at the regular meeting of civil society organisations in Novi Pazar, which was also attended by our colleagues. Through meetings such as these, we strengthen mutual trust, exchange experiences and jointly plan activities that directly contribute to the prevention of discrimination and the advancement of equality for all citizens in the region, Banjac pointed out. The host of this important meeting was the organisation “Svetionik”, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia (Novi Pazar Office) and Europe House Novi Pazar.

During the week, an exceptionally substantive meeting was also held with representatives of the media outlets Takt Info, FreeMedia, a1 TV . net, Radio Sto Plus, Snews and Sandžak TV, at which possibilities for cooperation and joint work on education regarding non-discriminatory reporting were also considered.

Representatives of the Commissioner’s institution discussed the economic empowerment of social groups facing greater difficulties in employment, as well as joint cooperation on projects aimed at the development and support of women’s entrepreneurship in the region, with the management of the Sandžak Regional Development Agency “SEDA” – General Director Samir Kačapor and Professor Amela Lukač Zoranić, Head of the Sector for Education, Youth and Innovation.