The “Conference of Employment Growth – on path to recovery” organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the World Academy of Art and Science was held in Sarajevo.
Welcoming participants of the Conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Zlatko Lagumdžija said that preparations for this Conference started several months ago, right after the EU adopted a document on a new approach to BiH, in which it announced a package for reforms, but floods hit BiH in May which is why the contents of the Conference have been changed.
”We will share the best thoughts today from the world academic community, and there will also be a debate which will gather people from BiH who are officials in legislative and executive authority, and representatives of international institutions”, added Lagumdžija.
Aim of the Conference, according to him, is to open a process which will lead to forming a network of people and conclusions which will be turned into specific proposals for authorities in BiH, but also for regional and some other initiatives which would result in better relations with EU.
He added they will also talk about preparations for the upcoming donor conference, barriers for opening new workplaces and education.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Vjekoslav Bevanda said he is convinced the Conference will fulfill its primary aim and serve as quality preparation, but also promotion of the upcoming donor conference for BiH.
”This Conference is also an opportunity to continue working on new policy of EU to BiH and employment growth through active actions of all competent persons, which was promoted at recently held Forum for Prosperity and Employment”, added Bevanda.
According to him, unemployment in general, especially unemployment of young and educated people mostly affects the most vulnerable and poorest countries of the world, so BiH is facing the problem how to speed up the process of opening new workplaces.
He reminded that series of activities are being undertaken in making new entity laws on labor to create better environment for opening new workplaces and fight for preservation of workers’ rights in accordance with the international standards. He said the main challenges we are faced with when it comes to obstacles to solving unemployment are: bad investment environment, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financing sources, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises which generate progress and lack of training and skills and unstable political environment.
”Opening new workplaces is the safest way to get out of crisis and private sector is key for employment”, emphasized Bevanda.
Honorary President of the World Academy of Art and Science Ivo Šlaus said that Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the World Academy of Art and Science believe it is necessary to increase employment because it is a key element of future actions. Given that right to employment is one of the basic human rights, he added, it is important to form such conditions where more people will have full-time jobs.
”That is why it is extremely important to launch that in Sarajevo, the multicultural center of Europe, but the aim is not only to launch it in Sarajevo but to expand activities to the entire country and Mediterranean countries which are affected by unemployment”, emphasized Šlaus.
Director of the World Academy of Art and Science Garry Jacobs welcomed political readiness and determination of governments to deal with this problem, especially having in mind that situation in BiH is additionally complicated because of multiple challenges the country has been facing for the last 20 years.
Expert of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Donato Kiniger Passigli said the issue of employment is important in the entire world, not only in BiH. He emphasized problem of unemployment of young, educated people, and emphasized that in 2015 ILO will focus on that issue. He said it is necessary to improve education system and align it with labor market requirements, enable lifelong learning, different trainings and motivate young people to seek work.
Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Ambassador Peter Sorensen and representatives of many international and local organizations and institutions are participating in the Conference.
(Source: Fena)
