2021-12-10

Nataša Vučković Participates in the Human Rights Forum

Panel Discussion on Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Director of the Center for Democracy Foundation, Nataša Vučković, participated in the Human Rights Forum held 10 December 2021, organised by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue.

“Why is it that today, on Human Rights Day, we have gathered to discuss poverty and the 2030 Agenda? Because there are clear connections between the reality of poverty, the state of human rights and the 2030 Agenda. Together, they form a triangle in which they are conditionally interrelated” - said Natasa Vučković during the panel discussion on Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals.

“The 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs are another way of looking at human rights, given that each goal serves to protect one or more human rights. Eradicating poverty is first on the list of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each of the 2030 Agenda’s SDGs include the fight to eradicate poverty, all are interconnected and the achievement of one helps in the achievement of another.”

“The government avoids addressing the issue of poverty as it demonstrates all too well the other side of reality, the ‘wrong’ side of society, the opposite of investment and all that the contemporary construction industry in big cities, PR and advertising agencies and aggregate statistics represent, etc. It is important to speak about poverty in the media, to create a platform in which the people can unite together, to invite decision-makers to act and to render decisions based on human rights, to apply the ‘Leave no one behind’ principle. This is why we need free media and a critical public. This is why it is important to include various actors in the processes of decision making and creating public policy. This is why dialogue is necessary, and is one of the goals of sustainable development (Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).”

“Those living in poverty shouldn’t be ashamed, rather, those with money should be ashamed that poverty persists. This is why the struggle to eradicate poverty is also the fight for greater equality, that is, the fight against inequality. Human rights guarantee both individuals and groups great freedom, but this freedom must go hand in hand with equality and with a system in which rights are exercised and development perspectives are validated.”

“Poverty multiplies quickly, yet it is difficult to climb out of. It is directly related to education and one’s position in the labour market. If one member of a household has a secondary (high school) education, poverty is 4.5 times less than in households where no one has a secondary education. If one member of a household has a higher education, poverty is 17 times less than in households where no one has a higher education.”

“It is important to again highlight the ‘Leave no one behind’ principle (LNOB), that is, to include and recognise the most vulnerable and most excluded groups. In this way, the end goal is achieved, which is for the most vulnerable groups in society to be consulted, their interests taken into considering and their rights adequately exercised. This is also an obligation of the Republic of Serbia, for several reasons. First, the Republic of Serbia has committed itself to harmonise its policies and activities with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, thus to implement the LNOB principle as one of its guiding principles. Second, the 2030 Agenda is based on UN standards and the implementation of human rights which are the founding principles of the UN Charter and international human rights instruments, which the Republic of Serbia has ratified and are thus binding in Serbia. Finally, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is in line with conditions for Serbia’s accession to the EU, in order to gain full membership in this organisation."

The Center for Democracy Foundation is committed to formulating a new strategic approach to combatting poverty within the Republic of Serbia, one based on the standards set forth in the UN and EU Sustainable Development Agenda.