4 February 2020

Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Science, Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia and the UNICEF Serbia was signed at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Science on February 4^th, 2020.  The Memorandum is the result of joint work on the project carried out by the Center for Research in Social Policy and Social Work at the Faculty’s Department of Social Policy and Social Work.

The project Co-Creation of Knowledge and Building of Expertise for the Protection of Children Affected by Migration and Forced Displacement – Curriculum Development is aimed at further strengthening of the social protection system in Serbia, with particular focus on the protection of migrant children, particularly the unaccompanied ones.

On behalf of the Faculty of Political Science, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Dean, Prof. Dragan R. Simić, who emphasized the importance of this and similar projects, having in mind their aim to protect children and develop expertise of professionals in this field.

On behalf of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of the Republic of Serbia, the Memorandum was signed by Svetlana Velimirović, the Deputy Commissioner, who stressed the importance of cooperation between the academic community and the Commissariat, particularly regarding the plans for opening an education centre in Plandište where academics would transfer knowledge to future professionals, not only from Serbia but from the entire region.

On behalf of the UNICEF, the Memorandum was signed by Ms. Regina de Dominicis, UNICEF Representative in Serbia, who emphasized the importance of cooperation of academic community, institutions offering in-the-field assistance to migrants and international organizations, as an example of good practice that is transferable to other countries.

The Head of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the Faculty of Political Science, Prof. Natalija Perišić, thanked to the Commissariat and the UNICEF on ongoing support in carrying out both this and the MIGREC project, emphasizing that signing of this document is a step forward in the already established, successful cooperation.