Kragujevac Embraces "Leave No One Behind" Tool - UN Resident Coordinator and UN Human Rights Team Partner to Enhance Inclusion and Human Rights Understanding at Local Level in Serbia

The tool was presented to local self-governments representatives, members of parliament of the Šumadija administrative district, decision-makers and students, to enhance their understanding and knowledge of the human rights and LNOB Tool and the associated pledge to leave no one behind.

„The Government of the Republic of Serbia is committed to building a just society that proposes good laws and policies aimed at all segments in the complex structure of our society. Especially for vulnerable, invisible, and sensitive groups, because a just state should build such measures and policies that will create a society in which no one is left behind”, said Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Tomislav Žigmanov.

“International community and UN that have established the platform for sustainable development with the key principle ‘Leave No One Behind’ are aware of this and Serbia is the first country in the world that had ratified this toll that we will present to communities outside of Belgrade, to see how local self-governements can build policies, take measures for groups that have additional needs and that are often left behind in wider policies,” explained Žigmanov.

“Within the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, implemented by the United Nations, ad new ‘Leave No One Behind’ tool has been developed, with the aim to fulfil the needs of all and especially to involve vulnerable groups that are in need of assistance and support”, highlighted Francoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia.

Jacob also reminded that this year UN marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was agreed upon by politicians and intellectuals in 1948, and is the most important document defining human rights, translated to 500 languages.

“This year, we want have visits and discussions with politicians, communities, students and point out to everyone the essence of the Declaration - which is the importance of the existence of human rights. We want to activate all political actors and all other members of the community develop awareness that human rights are always important, regardless of the year when the Declaration was adopted, and should be fought for every day because this fight is permanent”, she added.

The event was attended by more than 40 members of the local parliament and approximately 50 professors and students from the Faculty of Law. This initiative generated considerable interest among the participants for its further application. It is noteworthy that the organizers have planned to conduct similar events in several other universities and local self-governments throughout the current year.