CorD Magazine, January 2021, no.195

IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Olympics Back On Track

AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL TO SERBIA

Striving For Europe’s Recovery

www.cordmagazine.com

People Need Hope

NENAD LALOVIĆ

H.E. MARIA VIRGÍNIA MENDES DA SILVA PINA

JANUARY 2021/ ISSUE NO. 195

AMIR ABDULLA

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE United Nations WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

interviews opinions news comments events COMMENT

Evolving

Responsibility UN WFP - 2020 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREAT

People Need Hope

Exclusive

RADMILA PETROVIĆ 783002 771451 9

A Woman In Love Is More Dangerous Than a NATO Tank

ISSN1451-7833

POET

CONTENTS

06 EVOLVING RESPONSIBILITY

BY NADA POPOVIĆ PERIŠIĆ Comment

24 PANDEMIC RESPONSE MUST BE INCLUSIVE FRANCESCA BONELLI UNHCR Representative In Serbia

56 ARTWORKS INSPIRED BY CHRISTMAS: AN ARTFUL ADVENT Art

08 A WOMAN IN LOVE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A NATO TANK RADMILA PETROVIĆ Poet

12 STRIVING FOR EUROPE’S RECOVERY H.E. MARIA VIRGÍNIA MENDES DA SILVA PINA Ambassador Of Portugal To Serbia

31 BUSINESS DIALOGUE 52 AN IRISH SUCCESS STORY

МІСHАЕL FLАTLЕУ DАNСЕR Chоrеоgrарhеr, Muѕісіаn, Flаutіѕt And Brоаdсаѕt Prеѕеntеr

FACES & PLACES

60

61 LIFE DEVOTED TO TESLA BRANIMIR JOVANOVIĆ Assistant Director of the Nikola Tesla Museum

16 GLOBAL DIARY 18 PEOPLE NEED HOPE

AMIR ABDULLA Deputy Executive Director Of The United Nations World Food Programme

55 EVERYTHING I (DIDN’T) WANT DRAGANA MLADENOVIĆ Head Of The SANU Office For Public Relations, Poet And Children’s Writer

66 CHILL OUT 68 FACES & PLACES 70 ENTERING A NEW FASHION DECADE FASHION

@CORD_MAGAZINE

72 CULTURE CALENDAR

@CORDMAGAZINE

74 AFTER WORK

CORD MAGAZINE

CORDMAGAZINE

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR: Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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“CorD does not criticise or critique. We are a place where people can inspire and be inspired by others” Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Ljubica Gojgić Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić, Miloš Belčević EDITORIAL MANAGER: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen

TRANSLATION & EDITING MRP EDITORIAL SALES MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs

OFFICE MANAGER: Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCE: Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER: Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

DIRECTOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com PRINTING: Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica CorD is published by: alliance international media Prote Mateje 52, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia

Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fax: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs office@cordmagazine.com www.cordmagazine.com www.aim.rs ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliance international media 2020

The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by alliance international media

Comment

Evolving

Responsibility How did we imagine 2020 would turn out at this time of 2019? First of all, as a far better year compared to the last one. However, it ended up as a year that surprised us so much that it’s almost difficult to evaluate.

BY NADA POPOVIĆ PERIŠIĆ

T

he first conclusion could be that it was a year that caused us to completely question our confidence in the future and, even more so, our ability to make any predictions.

And it also, finally but much more seriously, brought into questioned our idea of human self-confidence and man as the master of nature. Man has mastered technology, communication and launched a digital revolution, but also stumbled into a conflict with nature.

As Noam Chomsky would say: the climate crisis, the threat of nuclear war and the rise of authoritarianism currently represent the greatest risks to the sustainability of humanity.

We are bearing witness to a deep crisis of democracy worldwide, democracy that represented the only hope that we would be able to overcome crises and succeed in stopping them from spreading. That’s because we can only be helped in that by a truly comprehensive democracy that includes an informed citizenry and implies their participation in the development of crisis management programmes. Many scientists have a tendency to believe that the pandemic we are enduring is not a standalone crisis, but rather a process of climatic or environmental change. Specifically, the pandemic

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is only the end result of our irresponsible attitude towards nature, towards ecology.

Capitalism’s insatiable desire for money, for economic success that’s measured through the excessive acquisition of wealth, will cost millions of lives and create major cracks in the world economy, leading to the further deepening of social differences.

But what might the great crisis that we’re experiencing have taught us?

It primarily brought us face to face with the need to create new forms of solidarity and sharpened the need for us to introduce controls over every kind of power. It caused us to confront the necessity for us to consider creating a new kind of relationship between people. We are currently living sensitive, fragile and insecure lives that are overshadowed by a constant threat. The new normal that should follow the presumed end of the pandemic must differ from the one we’ve lived to date.

It seems that it was essential for us to experience such a catastrophe, in order for us to be ready to think about the society we live in and the kind of society we actually want to live: to first ask ourselves a question about the nature of solidarity as a way to ensure our survival. Established forms of human

relations and coexistence can no longer be taken as given forever. What we have so far experienced as our “daily routine” will turn into nostalgic reminiscences.

In some ways I think that we’re living in a unique historical moment. The future demands that we seriously consider a new way of life and come up with new “rituals” of behaving, socialising and coexisting. The way of life that we were familiar with will not return even after the pandemic ends. And it seems to me that the political elite, whether on the left or the right, don’t understand the reality we’re living in and refuse to accept the full consequences of the current picture of the world. The self-organisation of human life is constantly exposed to disintegration.

The consequences of the pandemic and accompanying economic crisis will soon raise important questions: will there be enough food; how can we find jobs; how should we educate our children? And we are only at the beginning of the climate crisis.

With each day of isolation and the struggle against the pandemic, it is natural that the fear that we may live in isolation for many years to come grows and that we will, as Žižek says, live in a world in which we dream, watch Netflix and lose our sense of time.

Interview Exclusive

RADMILA PETROVIĆ, POET

A Woman In Love Is More Dangerous

Than a NATO Tank

She was a child who desired success, and her teacher kept telling her ‘we’ll see how long you’ll stick it out’. Everything that she does is motivated by a desire not to betray that little girl who believed that, somewhere far away, a better and safer world exists where she will live as a happy, successful and independent woman. Radmila Petrović (24) is today a qualified economist and poet who finds herself in the public spotlight 8

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Interview Exclusive much economics can give me and how much I can give it. Apart from that, I read and write every day in order to work on my “talent” for writing.

That’s all I can do right now. On the other hand, I don’t have any secret skills I could use to raise money for rent and other things. Nobody pays if you write a poem. I’m slowly reviewing all the possible options, I want to try my hand at many more things. When it comes to what I will do for a living, you need to be brave and open enough and to say: who knows?! Is there anything you hated in the village?

would receive it all on a platter. My relatives also constantly made comments about how clever and capable I am, and how unfortunate it is that I’m not a boy. And that might now be funny for some, but the feeling isn’t very nice at all when you’re a little girl who just wants to be loved the way you were born, without comments about how great it would be if you were something that you definitely aren’t and cannot become. How difficult is it to be a woman in rural Serbia today?

It’s still difficult to be a woman, especially in rural areas. You can’t be a lady there. The work is physically demanding, the skin burns and peels off several times during the year, fingernails crack and clothes smell like livestock. Fruit must be picked, animals fed, lunch prepared, no one will ask you if you’ve perhaps just got your period.

Women are mostly housewives, working in the house and in the fields using simple tools, because those more complex tools are reserved for men.

And if, God forbid, something happens to their spouse, they are left to the mercy of neighbours and relatives, without a trade with which to educate their children. Many women stay in abusive marriages with wife beaters precisely because of their material dependence. Many take on casual work in their later years in order to provide for the most basic living conditions. And those aren’t just women – no farmer receives a pension for all those years of hard work. In my village women

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In my village women aren’t members of any committee and no meetings are attended by women aren’t members of any committee and no meetings are attended by women. Did you enrol in economics and complete your studies because you needed to have a secure occupation in your hands?

I dreamt of being a businesswoman. I saw that in a Spanish soap opera. As a child I did not know anyone who was engaged in anything other than farming. I didn’t know anything about the arts; I didn’t know that you could be a playwright, a director or a photographer, that some people make a living from that. When you grow up in small communities you don’t know the possible range of professions you can pursue. As a result, it can happen that you only realise what you were actually meant to study at the age of 25 or 35.

In recent months everyone has been confronting me with questions like: are you a sincere poet and an insincere economist? I won’t lie: there is something in that question that scares me. I don’t think I’m anything insincerely, or at least I wouldn’t want to be. I’m currently engaged in what I studied, I want to see how

Mostly the way men treat women, or the majority of them. The law of the wilderness reigns in the village, the law of the stronger. And everyone minds their own business only when they need to report that a neighbour is beating his wife. I also don’t like the kind of thinking that’s bothered about what the village will say; that life that you determine according to the expectations of your surroundings. Competing over whose sow will weigh the most. The feeling that you’re fighting an invisible enemy (the neighbourhood) and that you always have to be better than him so that won’t rejoice over your sadness and shame. What did you learn in the village that you need for your life today and tomorrow?

In the home they spoke about why some families “disappear”, I think that discovery that “everything comes back to you” always kept me far from the thought of causing anyone harm. I learnt that life is merciless and that if you don’t help yourself then no one else will. I learnt to fight. I promised myself that I wouldn’t allow anyone else to manage my life.

I was a child who desired success, and the teacher kept saying that we’ll see how long I’ll stick it out. Everything I do, I do in order not to betray that little girl who believed that, somewhere far away, a better and safer world exists where she will live as a happy, successful and independent woman. What did your initial encounters with literature and poetry look like? Which writers and poets did you like first and why?

That was back when I was 16 or 17. I read a poem

by Miodrag Pavlović from my sister’s textbook and was delighted. There was no rhyming in it and that surprised me. There weren’t any big

words or events either. I didn’t even understand precisely what that poem was about. I just liked something about it. It was as though poetry had found its own way to me. It was as though poetry had come to cheer me up, and it succeeded in that.

Nothing has brought me as much happiness as poetry. I’m not just talking about how I feel while reading, but also about the situations I’ve found myself in thanks to it and the people I’ve met, and who finally understood my language, and I theirs.

I first read those most famous poets, like Miljković, Neruda, Yesenin. I think I fell in love with poetry because it was there that I found emotions that no one in my environment had expressed in that, or expressed at all. Which writers and poets are you discovering today?

I’m discovering many, both those that are not yet known and those that it’s “shameful” not to know. What’s the greatest compliment or accolade you’ve ever received for your poetry?

The greatest accolade is the people who approach me and say that they’ve read my collection several times and that it has in some way comforted, encouraged or made them laugh. You know, that one thing in my life wasn’t in vain and that’s a wonderful feeling. How do your parents comment on your poems?

My parents generally don’t make any comments related to my poems in front of me.

I heard that my Dad said to my uncle: Radmila wrote both about what she should have and what she shouldn’t have.

What would I say to that, except that I didn’t write poems for my parents or relatives? I talk to them in prose and we’ve already told each other what we needed to.

My parents and relatives have certainly supported the policy of maintaining silence all their lives.

I think differently; I think that nothing will ever change if we all remain silent. When someone says ‘a good life’, what does that mean to you?

To me that means living in peace (of the soul), with family and friends, pure of heart and cheek, with the minimum materials to exist secured. It is hypocritical to say that economic resources aren’t

how much has your life changed and narrowed as a result of the pandemic?

it’s difficult to be young, particularly if one’s environment creates the impression that everyone is doing great and you’re the only one with some minor or major problems, discoveries and considerations important. Around the world 25,000 people die of hunger every day. I know children who’ve never overcome the humiliation they received at school, and that humiliating was based purely on material things, or what they lacked. You have to have some level of resources in order for that to become irrelevant to you.

A good life, to me, also implies a life in which you accept challenges and do things that you previously wanted to do but weren’t able to do for some reason. And a life in which you are constantly learning something new. COVID-19 has been the most common topic in our lives in recent months. How much has the story of this virus been present in your life, how afraid are you,

I’m afraid because I had asthma, and probably still do, though I don’t use an inhaler pump and don’t have any problems. I feel sorry for the people who passed away and their families.

In such a situation as this I try to organise my day as best I can. I say to myself: okay, don’t think about the future, what can you do today?

That gap between wishes and possibilities has further widened for all of us. I generally deal with it well because it’s not as though I’m really used to everything in my life being made to measure.

Take care of yourself and others, learn something new, watch good films, read beautiful books, exercise in your homes. Discipline awakens hope. Do you have any desires that you can talk about?

I want us all to be healthy and not so hypocritical. For us not to lie about how perfect we are at work and not lie about how we live perfectly and have lived perfectly. I want that because of young people, because it’s difficult to be young, particularly if one’s environment creates the impression that everyone is doing great and you’re the only one with some minor or major problems, discoveries and considerations. I want everyone to find what causes their sadness and where their happiness is. My happiness can also be in helping other people, at least by saying what someone needed to tell me at some point.

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Interview

H.E. MARIA VIRGÍNIA MENDES DA SILVA PINA

AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL TO SERBIA

When the Portuguese look at the Western Balkans they know that, naturally, the time will come when those countries will finally belong to the EU, as this a quite normal and suitable path – Maria Virgínia Mendes Da Silva Pina

Striving For

Europe’s Recovery 12

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By Ljubica Gojgić

TERRORISM

We need a strong and resolute response to this scourge, but one that does not undermine either our civil liberties or our record of tolerance and respect

T

he Portuguese ambassador comes from a country which from a historical perspective - as she says - has been focused more on cooperation with neighbours that it is connected to via the Atlantic Ocean than on the Balkan Peninsula. However, H.E. Maria Virgínia Mendes Da Silva Pina says that she feels as though she’s already been adopted in her new environment in Belgrade! “The two countries have excellent political relations, which can be seen in the way we mutually support our international candidacies,” she says in this interview for CorD Magazine, adding that there is plenty of room for improvement, especially of economic relations, in areas such as digital transformation, the environment, energy or E-government. Also contributing to the strengthening of that cooperation is Serbia’s European integration progress, which Portugal will observe more carefully as of 1st January 2021, when the country takes over the presidency of the European Union. Your Excellency, Portugal is holding the Presidency of the European Union for the next six months, as of 1st January 2021. What have been defined as Lisbon’s priorities?

Portugal has five priorities for its Presidency: Europe’s resilience, based on economic recovery, the reinforcement of social cohesion and respect for both European values and the Rule of Law, especially dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic; Social Europe, in which we will press for a political thrust regarding the Action Plan to implement the European Pillar on Social Rights; Green Europe, which reflects the importance of addressing climate change; Digital Europe, an area where Portugal has showed its strengths and goes beyond just the economy, reaching areas such as digital education and digital democracy; and finally

EU INTEGRATION

I believe that, despite all the obstacles, Serbia acknowledges the benefit it brings to Europe and that it is a country that the EU will welcome into its midst

Global Europe, as Portugal is quite keen on global dialogue and wishes to assert that the EU can have a dialogue with all the main geopolitical actors, including the nations of Africa and Latin America. All of aforementioned priorities have the common idea of striving for Europe’s recovery, especially after the pandemic, through the European Social Model and the balancing of social and economic dimensions. Portugal was among a large number of EU member states that ended 2020 under lockdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To what extent have these new circumstances impacted on Portugal’s plans for its EU presidency?

Portugal had already planned to hold the Social Summit in Porto in May 2021, as the flagship event of our Presidency, so the pandemic will only give further relevance to this event and the matters it will address Portugal had already planned to hold the Social Summit in Porto in May 2021, as the flagship event of our Presidency, so the pandemic will only give further relevance to this event and the matters it will address. We hope that the sanitary situation will allow it to proceed as planned, but we are prepared for format changes that do not prevent us

COOPERATION

In our Consular Section we see new applications almost every week from Serbian students wanting to study for longer periods in Portugal in the most diverse areas

from achieving our goal. In fact, this Summit has an ambitious agenda, as I explained in the previous question, and will consist of two separate but intertwined events: a conference with European institutions, social partners and academic institutions; and an informal European Council that will address social matters. Concerning the rest of the programme, despite the obstacles caused by the pandemic, which will still surely affect some physical events planned for the first half of the semester, we will be also prepared to shift to virtual venues whenever needed. We will nevertheless try to turn all the challenges into opportunities. Countries worldwide are already confirming major economic consequences of the pandemic. How hard has the Portuguese economy been hit, given that a significant share of your country’s income is ordinarily generated through tourism?

The Portuguese economy is undergoing a difficult time, because - as you mentioned - tourism is particularly important. Over the past decade we’ve managed to gain a welldeserved reputation as an exquisite tourist destination and we cannot wait to return to normal. As for the economic downturn, we are putting in place the necessary measures to prevent more dire consequences for the economy, bearing in mind that we must balance them with the need to protect the health of our citizens. This is another feature of the importance of European solidarity, as the financial relief mechanisms that were thought out can really help mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on the economy. Are you concerned about new terrorist attacks in European cities?

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Interview President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa thought it would be precautionary to state, in a very assertive way, that similar situations would not be tolerated. We need to raise public conscience and awareness that this type of behaviour must face “zero tolerance”. During a recent conversation with Serbian officials you announced the additional engagement of Portugal, during its EU presidency, in the area of Serbia’s European integration. Considering that this process slowed down significantly in 2019 and 2020, do you think it can be accelerated during this time of great challenges for the EU itself?

Europe faces several challenges and some of them pose an existential threat to our way of life, with fundamentalism, which usually reveals itself with abominable terrorist attacks, being at the top of our worries. We therefore need a strong and resolute response to this scourge, but one that does not undermine either our civil liberties or our record of tolerance and respect. Crisis situations like the one that we’re currently witnessing often result in the strengthening of extremism.

Media reported last summer on the statement of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declaring “zero tolerance” for racism. How did this situation arise and why did the president feel a need to react?

Portugal has been a safe haven when it comes to racist incidents and extremist messages, but this does not mean that we, as a society, are not

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We are putting in place the necessary measures to prevent more dire consequences for the economy, bearing in mind that we must balance them with the need to protect the health of our citizens susceptible to deplorable incidents that need to be firmly decried. This was what happened last summer, when three female Members of Parliament who have African ancestors and are anti-racist activists had their lives threatened by anonymous messages in a display of farright extremism. As you can understand, this unprecedented situation caused an uproar and

Serbia’s European Integration process is itself challenging, but I am confident that, if Serbia shows signs of willingness to move forward and do the necessary reforms, always taking into account the recommendations contained in the Progress Reports, including in the area of the Rule of Law, which highlight Serbia strengths and weaknesses, the process can evolve and the expectations of both parties can be met. Serbia witnesses the advantages that close cooperation with the EU brings every day and I am sure it has understood that fulfilling the criteria for accession will only improve its citizens’ quality of life and perspectives. Therefore I believe that, despite all the obstacles, Serbia acknowledges the benefit it brings to Europe and that it is a country that the EU will welcome into its midst.

I therefore think that, despite the challenges the EU is experiencing, Serbia is part of Europe and is essential for the stabilisation of the Western Balkans. If there is a will, there is a way. What is the stance of Portuguese citizens regarding the enlargement of the EU to encompass the countries of the Western Balkans? What kind of image does the region have in the eyes of the Portuguese?

Due to our geographical situation, it is true that for a very long time we preferred to look across the Atlantic Ocean rather than looking to Europe. In one generation’s time, we made a complete shift that finally, and fully, encompassed Europe, in which our accession to the then EEC made an enormous difference. This ensures that we now look at this geopolitical

region as a fully-fledged stakeholder that takes an interest in all of its parts, albeit some closer than others. This being said, the enlargements of the EU have always been somewhat natural for us, as we are also part of that enlargement process.Therefore, When the Portuguese look at the Western Balkans they know that, naturally, the time will come when those countries will finally belong to the EU, as this a quite normal and suitable path. You arrived in Serbia during the summer of 2019. What is your impression so far when it comes to bilateral relations between our two countries, and in which areas do you see room for progress?

In order to develop other institutional bonds that can contribute to the fostering of better relations between Portugal and Serbia, I think it would be a very interesting base for work if the most direct representatives of the people of both countries could have a forum to interact I have to say that I feel at home in Serbia.

You welcomed me in such a way that I feel as though you adopted me. Our two countries have excellent political relations, which can be seen, for instance, in the way that we mutually support our international candidacies. However, there is great room to improve, especially our economic relations. I am keen on improving cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, the environment, energy or E-government.

Those are areas in which Portugal has great expertise and skills, with Portuguese companies willing to invest and come to Serbia. The strengthening of cooperation through parliamentary friendship groups

was proposed during your recent meeting with Serbian National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dačić. How do you see that idea?

Portugal prides itself on its representative democracy, which has gone through several challenges but proved itself to be quite resilient. Our Parliament (“Assembleia da República”) represents the 10 million Portuguese citizens who live inside our borders and the five million members of the Portuguese diaspora. In order to develop other institutional bonds that can contribute to the fostering of better relations between Portugal and Serbia, I think it would be a very interesting base for work if the most direct representatives of the people of both countries could have a forum to interact. Will there be a continuation of the cooperation between Portugal and Serbia that has already successfully connected universities and scientific institutions?

Definitely! Our two countries can only benefit from strengthening our relations.

The flow of people between Portugal and Serbia will, in a very natural way, continue to increase and results in other connections surfacing outside the academic world, where it has delivered quite interesting results and can deliver even more. In our Consular Section we see new applications almost every week from Serbian students wanting to study for longer periods in Portugal in the most diverse areas. With a continuous influx and exchanges of experience, it is only natural that those connections, and the mutual discoveries that they allow, will find different ways to develop in other areas, such as the arts or the economy. They will then continue to spillover into everyday life, so, yes, there is a vast field of cooperation that can be explored and deserves that. During my tenure here I will do my best to foster all the opportunities that exist.

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GLOBAL DIARY

“China is willing to keep on contributing to the world and enhancing human well-being with Chinese space solutions,” – WU YANHUA, DEPUTY CHIEF COMMANDER OF THE CHINESE LUNAR EXPLORATION PROGRAMME

NO DEAL BREXIT Boris Johnson warned a No Deal Brexit was ‘very likely’ unless Brussels caves on its ‘unreasonable’ demand over fishing rights. In a phone call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister warned negotiations were in a ‘serious situation’. And he said that it now looked ‘very likely’ that an agreement would not be reached ‘unless the EU position changed substantially’. Fishing was the key area where the EU’s position ‘needed to shift significantly’, Johnson said.

He added that if a deal could not be struck, the UK would leave the EU ‘as friends’, but trading on Australian-style terms.

Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen said ‘substantial progress’ had been made on a Brexit deal. But the EU chief also warned ‘big differences’ which will be ‘very challenging to bridge’ still remain, with both sides now set to take negotiations down to the wire.

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID The French presidency has announced that President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for coronavirus. He will self-isolate for seven days and cancel all upcoming trips, including a planned visit to Lebanon. The diagnosis was made following a PCR test performed after he showed initial symptoms, though his symptoms were not listed.

His office is also currently in the process of identifying those people with whom he may have been in contact.

Macron attended a European Council heads of state meeting on 10 and 11 December, where EU leaders met in person for the first time since October.

At the summit, Macron also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who tested negative for COVID-19 after the meeting.

SWEDEN’S LIGHT-TOUCH CORONAVIRUS STRATEGY HAS ‘FAILED,’ SAYS KING GUSTAF Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf criticized Sweden’s policy to combat the coronavirus pandemic in his Christmas address, as the Nordic country added a record 8,881 new cases in a single day in mid-December. “I think we have failed. We have a large number who have died, and that is terrible. It is some-

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thing we all suffer with,” Gustaf said in an excerpt of a pre-recorded Christmas address which will air in full on 21 December. Sweden’s coronavirus strategy has been the subject of international debate, as authorities decided not to mandate lockdowns, rather advising citizens to make responsible decisions to contain the virus’s spread. The loose policy, which depended on a sense of “civic duty,” meant Swedes enjoyed relative normalcy during the first wave of the pandemic, as the rest of Europe closed shops, restaurant and schools.

“The evidence that has been studied in great detail on the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine highly outweighs any of the issues we’ve seen,” – DR HAYLEY GANS, STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

ELECTORAL COLLEGE MAKES IT OFFICIAL: BIDEN WON The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden as the next US president, ratifying his November victory in an authoritative state-by-state repudiation of President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede.

The presidential electors gave Biden a solid majority of 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232, the same margin that Trump claimed was a landslide when he won the White House four years ago.

Heightened security was in place in some states as electors met to cast paper ballots, with masks, social distancing and other pandemic precautions the order of the day. The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a 6 January joint session of Congress over which Vice President Mike Pence will preside.

BITCOIN HITS ALL-TIME HIGH RISING ABOVE $20,000 The volatile virtual currency has gained more than 170% this year amid stock market turmoil.

On 16 December Bitcoin jumped 4.5% to as much as $20,440 buoyed by demand from large investors keen on its potential for quick profits.

There are also expectations that it may gain more widespread traction as a payment method from the likes of Starbucks and Microsoft.

But it has been a bumpy ride for investors, with the cryptocurrency passing $19,000 in November before dropping sharply.

EU TO START COVID VACCINATIONS ON 27 DECEMBER Vaccinations against COVID-19 will begin across the EU starting on 27 December, shortly after the jab is expected to be approved.

By the end of December, the first people across the European Union will be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced. “It’s Europe’s moment. On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU,” von der Leyen tweeted. The vaccine rollout is conditional on the European Medicine’s Agency (EMA) approving the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.

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Interview AMIR ABDULLA

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

We have to learn to expect more and more cases of famine, because we’re at the beginning of what has been called the “grand reversal” in development gains, spurred by the pandemic but also reflecting the impacts of climate change, migration, ongoing conflicts and a sudden increase in global poverty rates that is tipping millions more into a hand-to-mouth existence.

People L

ike probably every person in the world, our interlocutor, Amir Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), wishes for the pandemic to end in 2021. According to Abdulla, “we can then begin assessing and picking up the broken pieces of the Sustainable Development Goals”. Last October saw the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the World Food Programme “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”. As this interview unfolds, we learn that a huge amount of work lies ahead of us, as the pandemic is perhaps an acute reason, but represents only one of many factors that are driving people into hunger and poverty, not just in the developing world, but also within wealthy donor countries.

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January

Need Hope Being so mesmerised by the pandemic, did we forget about hunger? Where is this issue on the agendas of wealthy countries?

Donor countries are acutely aware of the dangerous situation facing the most vulnerable communities in the most at-risk countries.

However, the pandemic has exposed two things in particular. Firstly, it has revealed underlying fragilities in wealthy nations, which they have clearly struggled to address.

They’ve had to tackle hunger, illness, mass unemployment and sudden spikes in poverty rates within their own borders. This has been a shock for donor governments, a shock for their electorates and a distraction from other matters, as they strive to restore normalcy to their economies. The second thing is that the socio-economic impact of the pandemic is going to run far deeper and for far longer than the pandemic itself, with spillovers that

will ripple across the planet for many years to come. Cumulatively, in terms of economic loss, poverty, lost education, hunger, increased exposure to disease due to malnutrition and so on, the pandemic is likely to have an overall impact that will only become clear in later years, as long-term data reveals the bigger picture.

How many more people were pushed into hunger by the pandemic and how much more funds were allocated to them? What do the numbers say when it comes to empathy?

We estimate that the numbers of people suffering from acute food insecurity in the 79 countries where we work might have risen by as much as 80 per cent, from 149 million people before the pandemic to 270 million people in 2020. It’s bad in West, Central and Southern Africa, but worst in Central America, where severe food insecurity has nearly quadrupled.

UN WFP - 2020 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREAT

PHOTO/WFP/DEBORAH NGUYEN/MOZAMBIQUE, ZAMBEZIA, NHAMPOCA, MARCH 2019

Right now the WFP faces a funding gap of around $5 billion, which reflects the hunger spike that came as a direct result of the pandemic, as well as the fact that the World Bank estimates that 150 million people will have been pushed into extreme poverty by the end of 2020. We reached almost 100 million people with food assistance in 2019, and we are planning for 138 million in 2020. The virus is also changing the face of hunger by dragging new urban populations into destitution, as well as compounding the effects of climate change, conflict and socio-economic shocks in regions of the world that had previously escaped severe levels of food insecurity. One thing the pandemic has taught us is that we are really only as strong as our weakest link.

The virus doesn’t recognise borders, ethnicity or nationality. Aside from the moral imperative of helping our fellow human beings, and the empathetic impulse, we have a clear self-

Cumulatively, in terms of economic loss, poverty, lost education, hunger, increased exposure to disease due to malnutrition and so on, the pandemic is likely to have an effect that will only become clear in later years, as long-term data reveals the bigger picture interest in tackling the pandemic effectively, and in trying to stabilise countries hit by conflict, climate change, endemic poverty and now the pandemic.

Given that the pandemic disturbed regions, people, transportation, export and production, how have you managed to adapt to tackle these numerous challenges?

The almost overnight breakdown in global systems of travel and transport threw up an unprecedented challenge. Cumulatively, the pandemic has provoked the largest humanitarian operation in our history. The WFP had to swiftly adapt its own existing massive and complex logistics and transport operations, transporting humanitarian workers and supplies to places previously served by commercial airlines, and carrying out things like medical evacuations. We put in place a hub-and-spokes system of global and regional hubs that has provided the backbone for global response efforts to COVID-19 through a network of passenger and cargo air links. Since late January 2020, we’ve dispatched more than

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19

Interview

PHOTO/WFP/GABRIELA VIVACQUA/SOUTH SUDAN, PIERI, UROR COUNTY, FEBRUARY 2019

84,000 cubic metres of cargo (equivalent to more than 33 Olympic-sized swimming pools) to 170 countries - or 85 per cent of the world – in order to support governments and health partners in their response to COVID-19. These shipments include personal protective equipment, ventilators and emergency health kits, and WHO and UNICEF have been the main users of WFP services amongst the 64 organisations we’ve served. So, while it was lock-down for many, many countries, at humanitarian agencies we kept going, adapting our safety and access protocols as the situation developed. The WFP was nominated for a Nobel prize as the “driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”. Based on your own merits, how did you fare in comparison to warlords?

Using starvation as a tactic of war is outlawed under international law, but the fact remains

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January

As climate change really begins to impact our world, resource scarcity, hunger, displacement and conflict are going to be constant factors that destabilise the world and threaten peace that war breeds hunger, and the majority of the people we feed are in conflict-affected countries, some of them – like Yemen, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Afghanistan – beset by war for many years.

The Nobel prize recognises the fact that, no matter how hard the conditions and numerous the dangers and complex dynamics of conflict, the WFP has doggedly persisted for six decades in its efforts to prevent civilians

dying from hunger, despite the ravages of war. So, I would say that despite the interests and aims of warlords, we’ve done our best to continue saving and changing lives, and this fact has been recognised implicitly by the Nobel Committee. According to some estimates, one in 11 people go to bed on an empty stomach. How many of them reside in their own countries and how many of them are on the move? What has changed in these dynamics over the years?

Your question highlights a complex dynamic that has been accelerated by the pandemic, and that’s the relationship between hunger and displacement. On one hand, the lock-downs have frozen people in place within their own countries, preventing them from working, and in places like Afghanistan – where 4 out of 5 people work in the informal economy – that quickly translates to liquidated household

PHOTO/WFP/OLUWASEUN OLUWAMUYIWA/NIGERIA, MAIDUGURI SEPTEMBER 2020

savings, poverty and hunger. Countries that employed huge numbers of guest workers lost those workforces as businesses and building sites closed, and workers were compelled to return home, having a severe impact on the one in nine people globally who earn remittances that form a fundamental part of many economies. Some 700,000 Afghans reportedly returned from Iran. In Lebanon, more than half of displaced Syrians reported having lost their jobs by April. On the other hand, people are being, or will be, forced to migrate for work more than ever, and that will probably balloon once the virus has been handled. The last few years have shown that, in places like Central America, climate change is having a massive effect on subsistence farmers, who can no longer afford to keep farming after just one or two crop failures. There’s a subtle vicious cycle here that we need to understand much better through research. As the impact

We haven’t decided precisely how to use the monetary part of the Nobel prize, but it will most likely be used to fund our ongoing research into the nexus between hunger and conflict of climate change and its associated feedback loops compound radically and become more plainly measurable in the coming years, we’ll really begin to understand the scale of change, how quickly it has happened and more about what we need to do to alleviate suffering. Unfortunately, much of this will be in hindsight.

How far or close will we be to the goal of zero hunger once the pandemic ends? Would you say that it is already too late to fulfil SDG2, no hunger?

The current figures don’t bode well. At the moment we think that if the trend continues we will be far from Zero Hunger by the end of this decade, with perhaps 840 million people in a state of constant food insecurity unless we take immediate and decisive action. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound compounding effect on the drivers of food insecurity – mainly through declining economic activity and reduced household purchasing power. But the public health and economic crises we are witnessing today are also clashing with the global climate, which in turn is heating up risks of conflict around the world.

Conflict continues to drive displacement and rob people of their livelihoods, while currency devaluation and escalating prices

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Interview to get ahead of the disaster curve by, for example, distributing cash buffers to vulnerable families likely to be affected by adverse weather events like typhoons. Has food become more expensive?

And, if so, how has this impacted on your ability to feed those in the need?

PHOTO/WFP/KHUDR ALISSA/SYRIA, SALHEEN (ALEPPO), MARCH 2020

are curtailing food access. At the same time, we see flooding, dry spells and desert locusts threatening food availability. According to the WFP, what are the worst countries for food insecurity?

The countries most immediately at risk of famine are, typically, all embroiled in conflict to varying degrees. Yemen, north eastern Nigeria, Burkina Faso and South Sudan are all teetering on the brink of famine, with WFP food the main buffer between daily hunger and actual starvation conditions. Another 16 countries are in a state of serious, acute hunger, with a majority of those also afflicted by conflict that effectively leaves them hovering in a state of food emergency. One indication of the magnitude of the famine issue that

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January

More people needing more food at a time when food became more expensive made our task of feeding hundreds of millions of people much tougher our world faces is that fully a third of the $15 billion of funds that WFP needs in 2021 is devoted just to famine prevention, with the remaining two-thirds allocated to the 690 million for whom hunger is a daily fact, as well as to our work in building the resilience of communities and using funds

Global food prices for staples rose sharply this year, which obviously has an immediate impact on WFP operations, because we need donors to dig deeper and give us the funds to make up the shortfall in our estimates. At the most extreme end, the price of vegetable oil rose by almost 15 per cent. This rise in cereals, sugar, dairy and meat happened for a variety of reasons, not least of which was the conditions created by the pandemic and the resulting increased rates of poverty that strike the most vulnerable hardest. But it also includes crop failures, higher consumer demand in certain countries and a combination of factors making agricultural output even less productive in many countries where we work - extreme weather events in Central America, floods in Yemen and afflictions like plagues of locusts in East Africa. So, this meant more people needing more food at a time when food became more expensive, all of which made the task of feeding hundreds of millions of people much tougher. That’s the major reason we currently have a funding gap of $5.1 billion. You warned in April 2020 that “we could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a few short months.” How close did we come to this prediction?

The short reply is that we were close then, that we’re still on the brink of those catastrophic conditions and that we’re likely to remain there at least for the duration of 2021. We have to recall situations like Somalia in 2011, when a famine killed 260,000 people. That famine was officially declared in July, when it was already way too late to effectively mobilise resources and most people had already died two months earlier. So, these public declarations we make today indicate an imminent and very real threat that can tip over into widespread famine within weeks.

We have to learn to expect more and more

of these declarations, because we’re at the beginning of what has been called the “grand reversal” in development gains, spurred by the pandemic but also reflecting the impact of climate change impacts, migration, ongoing conflict and a sudden increase in global poverty rates that is tipping millions more into a hand-to-mouth existence. This is the 12th time the Nobel Peace Prize has gone to the UN, one of its agencies or personalities – more than any other laureate. What does this prize mean for the UN in practical terms

The prize primarily recognises the WFP’s role in fighting hunger and fostering peace in conflict-affected areas. It’s also further recognition of something that the UN Security Council recognised in 2018 when they passed Resolution 2417, which acknowledged the close connection between conflict and hunger. It’s a tribute not only to the WFP’s daily and highly visible work on the front

The pandemic has revealed underlying fragilities in wealthy nations, such as hunger, illness, mass unemployment and sudden spikes in poverty rates within their own borders lines of hunger in peace and war, but to the entire UN family, as well as the work that international agencies and NGOs, supported by governments and the international community as a whole, do to stop famine in its tracks, prevent hunger, build resilience and take on the huge new challenges emerging as a result of climate change and climate shocks. It signals a renewed commitment to

multilateralism and global solidarity when it is more needed than ever. How would you utilise the monetary part of the prize?

We haven’t decided precisely how these funds will be allocated, but they will most likely be used to fund our ongoing research into the nexus between hunger and conflict, i.e. hunger as a result of conflict, and hunger and resource scarcity as a factor in why people might go to war with each other. As climate change really begins to impact our world, resource scarcity, hunger, displacement and conflict are going to be constant factors that destabilise the world and threaten peace. What is your New Year’s wish?

That a real end to the pandemic is in sight, so that we can begin assessing and picking up the broken pieces of the Sustainable Development Goals. We have a huge amount of work ahead, and people need hope even when they are hungry, tired and frightened.

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23

UNHCR FRANCESCA BONELLI

UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE IN SERBIA

Pandemic Response M

Must Be Inclusive

UNHCR will continue to assist Serbia in keeping the response to the COVID pandemic sensitive and inclusive, also for refugees and people in need of international protection.

The support UNHCR is extending to Serbian institutions in terms of fundamental rights, migration and asylum is complementary with Serbia’s EU accession process, especially with regard of chapters 23 and 24, respectively.

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January

ore than 25,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Serbia from January to November 2020.

According to the statistics of the Serbian Government, almost 7,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants are currently accommodated in 19 governmental asylum/reception/transit centres in Serbia. Most of them are men (86%), followed by children (10%) and women (4%). A significant percentage (38%) of all the children accommodated in the centres represent unaccompanied minors. Around 2,000 refugees and migrants are estimated to remain outside the centres, bringing the overall presence of refugees and migrants in the country to a total of approximately 9,000, representing slightly more than 0.1% of the Serbian population as a whole.

The gap of 14,000 - between the 25,000 arrivals and the actual presence of 9,000 – represents the number of refugees and migrants that arrived and already left the country within 2020 ( Jan-Nov). This is an indication that Serbia is still perceived as a transit country by refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

The worldwide explosion of COVID-19 has not stopped movements, as we continue to record a constant influx of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers across the entire Western Balkan region, but refugees’ human rights and their status have definitely been impacted negatively by the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 emergency has forced an overall worldwide restriction on human movements, not only among countries but also within the territory of each country. That has impacted on refugees’ human rights twofold. Firstly, the capacity of refugees to escape persecution at home and move toward safety has been further hindered by the overall restrictions on movement imposed by the pandemic. Secondly, limitations on working and movement restrictions brought by the emergency response to the virus have provided a tough challenge to the capacity of Governments, UN Agencies and civil society actors in responding to needs for the protection of refugees,” says UNHCR Representative in Serbia Francesca Bonelli.

As a consequence of this, COVID-19 has restricted overall access to asylum and protection in many parts of the world.

“Nevertheless, Serbia has shown exemplary solidarity towards refugees, notwithstanding the challenges of the pandemic. Refugees and asylum-seekers were received at the centres with a COVID-19 prevention mechanism in place, in order to ensure the minimal risk of infection.

UNHCR responded promptly to the authorities’ requests for the provision of preventative equipment and hygiene supplies for the staff and residents of centres. UNHCR has intensified awareness-raising activities and provided psycho-social assistance.

In view of the requirements of online schooling, UNHCR also supported children from the refugee, asylum-seeker and local population by providing school equipment. UNHCR will continue to assist Serbia in ensuring that the response to the COVID pandemic is sensitive and inclusive for refugees and people in need of international protection,” underlines our interlocutor.

the unpleasant situation. In such an oversimplified picture of reality, the most vulnerable groups – in this case refugees and migrants – can become an easy target. This is not an exclusive characteristic of this particular moment, or of Serbia in general, but those using hate speech and anti-immigrant rhetoric do not base their messages on facts. Even a cursory glance at the relevant data provided by the authorities and international organisations shows that there is no room for any assessment that ‘migrants are stealing our jobs and land’.

Similarly, there is no room for talk of “invasion” and large numbers that cannot be handled. State statistics also show that the number of criminal offences registered among the migrant population is negligible relative to the total number of registered criminal offences in the country.

I am confident that the Serbian authorities will further address the issue of hate speech and xenophobia directed towards people who are in need of international protection.

protection assistance and strengthening the asylum process, from identification to referrals of who is in need of international protection. The refugee child protection system was also strengthened, including with regard to providing assistance to unaccompanied children with legal counselling and education, as well as the support of their integration process.

As many refugees and migrants still perceive Serbia as a transit country, just a few have decided to stay in Serbia and follow the path to full integration. Although still low, the number of recognised and integrated refugees in Serbia has been increasing steadily since 2015. That is clear evidence that Serbian society has recognised their potential and is seeking to benefit from their contribution. UNHCR fully supports the authorities and partners in strengthening this integration. To this end, UNHCR works in close cooperation with the private sector, with private companies like IKEA and others, to promote the inclusion of refugees in the job market.

With that in mind, how do you assess the overall position of refugees in Serbia?

You have been in the region for quite some time and know Serbia well. How have your mandate and the issues in your focus changed?

Serbia has extensive experience of hosting refugees.

The response to the 2015 European Refugee Crisis, when both government institutions and civil

You’ve said that anti-immigrant rhetoric in Serbia is gathering momentum and that anti-refugee movements are a cause for concern, yet they don’t show the true face of the Serbian people. How do you explain the rise of this rhetoric?

Together with the very experienced and committed UNHCR Serbia team, I plan to maximise the capacity of operations to achieve objectives in close synergies with the Government, donor community, civil society and refugees themselves

Part of the answer can be found in all the challenges brought about by this very moment that has seen the entire planet paralysed by the pandemic. The measures introduced to prevent the spread of the virus have already taken their toll – economically and psychologically. When faced with looming insecurities, people tend to seek answers and explanations, and it is easier for them to identify someone to blame for

society organised humane and dignified assistance to refugees, was consistent with that experience.

Citizens themselves helped and showed formidable compassion towards newly arrived refugees. Since the 2015 crisis, UNHCR has supported Serbian Institutions in responding to the refugee crisis, expanding asylum/receptions centres, providing

Yes, it was back in 2000 that I had my first professional experience in Serbia, with the assistance of refugees in the collective centres organised across the country at the time. Since then I’ve served in various emergency missions in Asia, Africa and America, but I came back to Serbia in 2015, when I was part of the UNHCR response at the peak of the European refugee crisis. Five years later I’m back again in the capacity of the High Commissioner’s Representative.

Many things have changed since my first experience with refugees in Serbia 20 years ago.

Serbian Asylum legislation has evolved, procedures for determining refuges status have developed further to factor in the new refugee reality of a mixed movement of asylum seekers and migrants.

New receptions centres have been opened to receive refugees and migrants with proper standard conditions.The protection of unaccompanied child refugees and the guardianship system has been strengthened in both legislative and operational terms. Efforts are also being exerted to ensure the inclusion and integration of refugees. What issues are in your focus today and how do you assist the refugee population?

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UNHCR looking forward to continuing its close cooperation with the Serbian Government, with the invaluable support of donor countries in fulfilling these important tasks. What are your plans for 2021?

While a full picture for 2020 is yet to be established, UNHCR estimates that the number of forcibly displaced persons globally is nearing 80 million.

This unprecedented figure in the records of the UN Refugee Agency constitutes 1% of humanity.

UNHCR in Serbia supports refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and those at risk of statelessness. Every one of these groups has specific needs that vary from the provision of legal assistance, via support in building new homes and acquiring personal documents, to the most basic needs like food, shelter and medical treatment.

That represents a vast task requiring an extensive amount of professional and financial resources. At UNHCR we are very grateful to our main donors in Serbia, both institutional donors – such as the EU, U.S., Czech Republic and Russian Federation – and private sector companies like IKEA, UNICREDIT and UNILEVER. How satisfied are you with the cooperation you enjoy with the Serbian Government?

UNHCR has spent almost 45 years supporting the Serbian Government, and prior to that the Yugoslav Government, in helping displaced persons.

Throughout all these years, UNHCR’s cooperation with the Serbian authorities has been positive and productive. The focus of UNHCR’s operations in Serbia has shifted over the course of time. In the early years, UNHCR provided integration and resettlement assistance to refugees from Eastern

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The commitment to support Serbia in ending statelessness will remain an important area of our engagement in 2021 Europe and Africa. During the conflicts of the ‘90s, the focus shifted to emergency and humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons from the region. Serbia has to date provided more than 5,100 housing solutions for the most vulnerable refugees from the former Yugoslavia through the Regional Housing Programme financed by the EU, U.S. and many other donors.

Since the 2015 European Refugee Crisis, UNHCR has been supporting Serbia in ensuring the protection of a sensitive approach to mixed movement. In synergy and cooperation with the Serbian Government, donor states and civil society, UNHCR actively identifies persons in need of international protection, providing them with relevant data and assisting their integration.

The support that UNHCR extends to the Serbian institutions, in terms of fundamental rights, migration and asylum, is also complementary with Serbia’s EU accession process, especially in regard to chapter 23 and 24, respectively. UNHCR is

UNHCR is fully committed to continue supporting the Serbia authorities and civil society in 2021 when it comes to ensuring protection during the pandemic and beyond for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and those at risk of statelessness.

For 2021, UNHCR has a protection-sensitive approach to mixed movements in Serbia and throughout the entire Western Balkan region that promotes synergies, the complementarity of mandates and responsibility sharing among all actors, and which will strengthen and enable national asylum systems to better respond to the rights and needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

In this regard, The UN Refugee Agency is also planning to establish closer cooperation with local municipalities in order to support the inclusion and integration of refugees and asylum seekers.

In parallel, UNHCR will continues to support Serbia in addressing the still remaining needs of displaced people from the conflicts of the ‘90s.

Our support to implementation of the Regional Housing Programme will continue, as will our engagement in finding solutions for internally displaced persons from Kosovo*, with the help of international partners.

The commitment to support Serbia in ending statelessness will remain an important area of our engagement in 2021. UNHCR’s work on the prevention of statelessness, together with the Ombudsperson and relevant government ministries, as well as civil society, will be also relevant during the coming months.

The EU Pact on Migration will also have an impact on the countries of the Western Balkans.

UNHCR will identify synergy between the EU Pact and the Global Compact on Refugees, and will support the Government of Serbia in fulfilling its international obligations.

UNHCR colleagues past and present take great pride in the differences they have made, in the lives they have protected, changed and saved.

They take pride in rising to new challenges, such as the impact of climate change or, most recently, the coronavirus pandemic – factors which magnify the already significant problems posed by displacement.

Interview

By Aleksandar Miletić

S

erbia isn’t a country that has great influence around the world, but one Serb is among the most influential people in world sport.

He is Nenad Lalović (62), a member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who also holds around a dozen other important positions in sports.

To begin with, let’s just mention that he’s also the president of the United World Wrestling (UWW) governing body and a member of the management boards of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

“I have three functions at the World AntiDoping Agency alone. It’s not easy to harmonise everything, but I consider it as recognition. I have the most obligations in wrestling, as the top man of the world governing body,” says Lalović, a native Belgrader who has been based in Switzerland in recent years, although he more often finds himself aboard planes, except during this time of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

NENAD LALOVIĆ,

IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Olympics Back

On Track

This member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a man who holds around a dozen important positions in world sports, discusses the challenges he faced in 2020, including retesting at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to reveal those who cheated 12 years ago, while he reveals that a vaccine will not be mandatory for the Tokyo Olympics

We would presume that it isn’t difficult to single out the event that marked 2020 for you – given the postponement of the Olympic Games in Tokyo?

If we set aside the pandemic, which changed the face of the entire planet, the postponement of the Olympics was something that I would single out. The decision to postpone the games was difficult, but also optimistic. Some accuse us of hesitating with the postponement, which isn’t true. We didn’t hesitate, but rather made an overview of all the consequences of every possible solution. It is much easier to cancel the Games than to shift them by a year. Cancellation would be pure surrender. IOC President Thomas Bach sought a solution and negotiated directly with the Prime Minister of Japan and the Mayor of Tokyo, together with the Organising Committee. And together they reached a solution. It was normal that, as a member of the IOC Executive Board, I was present at the source of all events; I knew what was happening at all times and believed that we would find the right solution.

We are satisfied that the Games will be held, although we are aware that this causes plenty of complications for international federations, and for the organiser the most. It wasn’t easy for

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Interview international federations. The IOC’s goal wasn’t at all for insurance to be paid because there are no Games, rather we directed all of our efforts towards creating conditions that would enable athletes to fulfil their dreams and compete in the planet’s biggest sporting competition. You head the governing body of world wrestling, and it is known that martial arts have been hit hardest by the pandemic, due to the nature of the sport requiring direct physical contact between competitors?

NENAD LALOVIĆ IN THE COMPANY OF IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH (CENTRE), DURING THE 2015 ELECTIONS FOR IOC MEMBERS

us at the IOC either. It was necessary to carry out an overview of all the ramifications: some federations have a problem with financing if the Games aren’t held, then there are relations with the owners of TV rights, disruptions to the qualification system etc. Just over 50 per cent of competitors have so far qualified for Tokyo. We are all convinced that the remaining qualifications will be held in a fair and sporting way. Any kind of administrative qualification is out of the question, because that is not in the spirit of sport and the Olympics. It’s no secret that many sports live from the distribution of money earned from selling TV broadcast rights for the Olympic Games, so this ensures that the pandemic created a difficult situation for many?

On the basis of analysis, the IOC redirected part of funds to international sports federations, to those who needed it the most. That is actually an advanced payment of the income that these federations will earn on the basis of TV rights.

We also helped the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games to a certain extent. We see in the media today that the cost of the Games has risen by 2.8 billion dollars as a result of all that. Of course, the greatest challenge confronted Japan, which reorganised itself phenomenally

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January

NENAD LALOVIĆ AND LIVERPOOL FC’S EGYPTIAN FOOTBALLER MOHAMED SALAH IN DUBAI, WHEN THEY RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF THE CREATIVE SPORTS AWARD

despite all the difficulties. Have the new circumstances led to any changes in the way the Olympic Games are insured?

The insurance is valid only for Games that ultimately aren’t held. Insurance cannot intervene in this case, because the Games will take place. The situation is the same with

This is a particularly harsh blow for all indoor sports. We didn’t have any major competitions in wrestling after 15th March. We finished the last competition in Ottawa, where we had qualifications and the championship of North and South America. Competition had already started when the pandemic was announced, and then – with the special permission of the authorities of the City of Ottawa – we continued and completed the competition. We didn’t have any infected participants, but we did have a lot of problems. Many teams were unable to return home because planes were grounded. Some spent a month travelling home. Some athletes were accommodated in their embassies, while we helped some of them by renting apartments and transporting them home in various ways.

This was a great odyssey for some… It seems to me today that everyone is aware of the infection and the pandemic, to cope with it. Life goes on.

Solutions must be found for ways to continue normally, alongside all sanitary measures that prevent the spreading of the virus. That’s more difficult in the halls, but we are witnessing that basketball, handball, and other team sports that have more contact at some points than wrestling, are being played. We are already used to some players not playing because they have tested positive, that matches are postponed but still played. We postponed competitions for two months at a time, because we didn’t want to quash the hopes of athletes that they would compete in the foreseeable future. And that lasted until October, when we started with tournaments in Moscow, Warsaw and Zagreb. News arrived from the IOC in early December confirming that Thomas Bach would not face an opponent in running for

a new four-year term (the first term was eight years). How would you interpret that?

There is no great ambition for the position of president of the IOC, at least not that I’ve recognised. Here is why: in the Olympic movement there is a well-established practise of choosing the best among us. For now we know that we’ve chosen the best, and that position is very delicate, demanding and difficult. I don’t know if any president before Bach had so many challenges in an eight-year term. I will mention, alongside all the political crises, North and South Korea – the solution of a joint team in Pyongyang, then the Russian problem of doping, then the Zika vurus in Rio de Janeiro, where no one was infected in the end… Then there were problems related to athletics, FIFA, as well as regular pressure from some media to again seek scandals within the IOC. I won’t even mention the COVID-19 virus. Since Bach’s arrival there has been much greater transparency in functioning, a greatly increased influence of athletes over decision making, much greater participation of women

THE MAN WHO BROUGHT KUWAIT BACK INTO THE OLYMPIC FAMILY Three years ago, California-based professor of journalism Alan Abrahamson, one of the best experts on the opportunities of the Olympic movement, ranked Nenad Lalović among the most serious candidates to replace Thomas Bach as head of the IOC when he leaves that position. Lalović has imposed himself on various fields in sport. He became the first person from Serbia (Yugoslavia) to be elected to join the IOC Executive Board, and prior to that he became a member of the IOC (similar to the assembly that included fellow Serb and former FIBA Secretary General Bora Stankovic from 1988 to 2005).

Alongside all the functions noted at the start of this interview, Lalović is also a member of the Olympic Solidarity Commission, which is one of the IOC’s key commissions, tasked with helping to finance athletes and national Olympic committees. He is also a member of the IOC Olympic Summit (which is held annually), head of the Oversight Commission of the AIBA (World Boxing Association) and member of the Crisis Group for Changing the Qualification System in Sports for the Tokyo Games, while he was also head of the Crisis Group to return Kuwait to the Olympic family (Kuwait is again an IOC member state), a member of the Management Committee of the Mediterranean Games etc. Prior to Lalović and Stanković, IOC members from the territory of the former Yugoslavia were Serbian Olympic Club founder Svetomir Đukić, then Franjo Bučar, Stanko Bloudek, Boris Bakrač and Slobodan Filipović.

in management. In boxing, all qualifications and the Olympic tournament are organised by the IOC and not the International Boxing Association (IABA), because it is suspended.

We’re also solving the problems of doping

in weightlifting, which aren’t related to any particular country but rather the entire culture of that sport. These are all challenges for which Bach offers solutions. We are today considering whether someone will go to Japan in July,

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Interview Association is considering introducing a mandatory vaccine for flights, but I don’t consider that this will not be an obstacle for Tokyo. The IOC has decided that the vaccine is not mandatory and Bach has announced that, and the Japanese aren’t seeking that either. However, this is about respect for human rights. A small percentage of people think that the vaccine is not good – not to get into a discussion about what anyone

IN THE COMPANY OF PRINCES AND PRINCESSES

THE SERBIAN FLAG ALSO FLIES AT THE IOC HEADQUARTERS IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND

while Bach is already going to Japan regularly.

And he doesn’t travel by private plane as some people think. As a member of the Management Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), how much has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way drug testing is conducted?

The fact there are fewer competitions means that we have much less testing at arenas. Targeted testing out-of-competition is still being conducted. It is neither easy nor safe to test athletes under these conditions. It has happened that the representative of a national anti-doping agency infected an entire team when he came to take samples from competitors. WADA has found a way to boost protection against the virus when taking samples. The essence of WADA is to provide the same conditions for clean athletes and to protect them from those who try

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to steal. With very harsh sanctions we send a clear message that cheating does not pay off.

As you can see, with these retests from Beijing 2008, athletes exposed by new technologies for analysing their samples are today falling, 12 years later. They are retroactively deprived of their medals. The IOC has also invested significant funds in storage facilities for storing samples from the Olympic Games, so it is always possible to retest athletes within a ten-year period. The appearance of vaccines against COVID-19 have raised a number of questions regarding next summer’s rescheduled Olympic Games. Bach has said that the vaccine will not be mandatory for Tokyo, but what if the airlines flying to Japan don’t want to accept unvaccinated passengers?

I’ve seen that the International Air Transport

Nenad Lalović is one of 15 members of the IOC Executive Board and one of 102 members of the IOC. We asked him what the IOC looks like from the inside: “Within the Executive Board are President Thomas Bach, four vice presidents and ten members. The board also includes five ladies: Anita DeFrantz, who is also a vice president of the board, then Nicole Hoevertsz, Kirsty Coventry, Nawal El Moutawakel and Mikaela Jaworski. Everything presented at an IOC session is first discussed and proposed by the executive board. IOC members then vote during the session. IOC members include many public figures from around the world. Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is chairman of the IOC Ethics Commission.

We have various rulers, even up to the level of kings, as kings cannot be elected. These include Prince Albert of Monaco, Luxembourg Grand Duke Henri, Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, the UK’s Princess Anne, Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sabah, Qatari Prince Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Danish Crown Prince Frederik, Jordanian Prince Faisal bin Hussein and Belgian Baron Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant. There are also renowned philanthropists, film directors and other public figures…

thinks about vaccination now... I think that the IOC has approached this well, and if airlines decide that the vaccine is mandatory for them we can’t do anything to oppose that. The games will be held nonetheless and will not suffer because of a vaccine. I don’t believe that some athletes who’ve been preparing for years will miss out on the Games because of a vaccine.

Science has advanced more in this area in the past nine months than it has in the past nine years, so I believe that all possible obstacles will be overcome by next summer.

Leaders’ STEVAN GADOL Ferry Agent d.o.o.

STYLIANOS TSOKTOURIDIS Alumil YU INDUSTRY a.d.

NENAD MIŠČEVIĆ Nectar Group

Logistics Accomplishment

Alumil YU Is Expanding

Growth With A Purpose

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PAGE /34 EMRE TOKMAK Tasyapi

JASMINA SIMOVIĆ Militzer & Münch

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MEETING POINT

M&M Militzer&Münch Strives For The Top

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The Highway That Will Develop The Region

AIGO

Smart Cities...

Empowering Innovation PAGE /43

DR IGOR RISTIĆ CDEI

MILOŠ LJUŠIĆ, UMKA factory MARKO JANKOVIĆ, Kappa Star Recycling BOJANA PERIĆ, Ekostar Pak PAGE /46

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CDEI – Where Digital Technologies In dentistry Are Applied

DRAGOLJUB ZBILJIĆ EJB

No Vision, No Progress PAGE /49

STEVAN GADOL, DIRECTOR, FERRY AGENT D.O.O.

Logistics Accomplishment Ferry Agent is a road transport company that’s focused on the UK market, where it has been operating since its inception 15 years ago.

Ferry Agent handles more than 50 per cent of transport services related to total trade between the United Kingdom and Serbia

T

his is a company that organises transports of all types of goods, from deep frozen food that is subject to a special temperature regime, via excise and perishable goods, to regular commercial products. All goods that are loaded during the course of a week are delivered by the end of the following week at the latest Apart from freight forwarding services, you provide clients with goods storage services, customs brokerage and customs clearances of goods under short deadlines. Do you succeed in meeting transit and delivery deadlines?

Respecting transit and delivery deadlines are our company’s primary goals. We have at least four guaranteed departures from the UK per week, two during the week and the other two on Saturdays and Sundays, so all goods loaded during the course of a week will be delivered by the end of the next week at the latest. This can be reduced to five to seven working days, which is one of our company’s main postulates. Clients greatly appreciate and respect that, but also the extremely competitive prices we

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offer. We have achieved this efficiency by leasing part of our warehousing from local distribution company in northeast London, where we store all our groupage shipments. Haulage vehicles come to our warehouse for additional loads or complete loading, arriving empty or with other goods that they picked up along the way. Interstingly, we are the only logistics company that has a direct line from Serbia to the UK, and we have that with two shipments per week.

You are known for fulfilling every contractual request, everything you promise to the client, even if that is to your detriment. Does this set you apart from the

We are the only logistics company that has a direct line from Serbia to the UK, and we have that with two shipments per week

competition, along with the motto “the client is always right”?

It certainly does. Every shortcoming that occurs – and that is an integral part of the job – we compensate for to ensure that the client is respected. It has happened that a partner has failed to pick up goods from a location on time, that

the groupage lorry couldn’t wait until the next week, so we sent goods by plane at our own expense in order for us to be able respect the client and meet the promised deadline.

When damage occurs or goods are lacking, we compensate the owner of the goods from our own funds within 30 days, then later recoup our recourse payments through insurance. We are one of the few companies, if not the only one, that possesses an ‘all risks’ insurance policy, which means that the owner of the goods is fully insured against all risks, including for damage, at full invoice value, and that’s despite us having mandatory CMR insurance that has very little breadth of coverage.

Are your membership in the BritishSerbian Chamber of Commerce and the fact that the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia has classified you in the club of successful small and medium enterprises indicators of the quality of your work?

They certainly are. Membership in these chambers has recommended us to many companies and serves as a stamp of quality for the services that we provide. Our team of ten people generates an annual turnover at the company level amounting to 10 million euros, and that has been the case for the last three years, which is an impressive result. Our company handles more than 50 per cent of transport services related to total trade between the United Kingdom and Serbia, which is certainly a result worthy of praise.

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STYLIANOS TSOKTOURIDIS, DIRECTOR, ALUMIL YU INDUSTRY A.D.

Alumil YU Is Expanding Alumil YUI is the region’s absolute leader in the production and distribution of aluminium systems. As an intelligent, vertically integrated company, it can quickly comprehend new market standards and reform its strategy to overcome all potential challenges

D

uring the pandemic, the company succeeded in continuing to implement its investment plan, which is to be completed over the next four years. That includes constructing new industrial buildings, installing new extrusion and anodizing lines that will double Alumil YUI’s capacity and create more than a hundred new jobs.

During a year filled with limitations and problems, you nonetheless succeeded in outdoing your previous great results. How? It is a fact that 2020 was indeed a hard year for everybody, at both the personal and business level. The near instantaneous economic recession triggered by the COVID-19 shutdown wreaked havoc on businesses large and small. Our very way of life is also said to be threatened. On the basis of sweeping proclamations about “the end of commuting,” “the demise of retail,” and “the collapse of globalisation”, we came to assume that we needed to react fast to adapt to the new challenges and reform whatever had to be changed in order to sustain our business and remain successful despite the difficulties.

Our outstanding performance throughout this year is the best proof of our efficiency.

You’ve continuously increased your production capacities, range, sales and employee numbers since you launched the

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first greenfield investment in Serbia in 2002... Others are making redundancies, while you are hiring!? How many employees do you have today?

Alumil YUI has been developing continuously since 2002, by increasing its capacity, manpower and investments. We currently employ 350 people. Even during the year of the COVID-19 crisis we still managed to

For Alumil YUI, the construction industry is always a challenging market that we monitor

sustain and even increase our manpower, and to remain devoted to supporting the local community, contributing to the local economy by increasing our exports to Europe and contributing to the industrial development of the country.

The pandemic raised a lot of substantial challenges for our employees. We suddenly had a lot of new territories to handle during the crisis. Along with trying to diversify revenue streams or digitise our business model, we also had a difficult time trying

to balance the privacy of employees, ensuring communication-related transparency, providing a boost in morale to those who were particularly struggling with navigating their way through this unprecedented crisis.

Did the expansion of the construction sector represent a big challenge for you? Are you focused on large projects or are you equally committed to all clients?

It’s an interesting time for the construction industry. Growth has been strong over the past several years, with a short recession during the months of the curfew caused by the pandemic crisis. For Alumil YUI, the construction industry is always a challenging market that we monitor. Rising material and labour costs, labour woes, increased competition and shrinking profit margins are some of the challenges construction firms face. We therefore reformed our strategy in order to serve this market more efficiently, differentiate our services from those of the competition and provide solutions to assist our customers in overcoming these problems. Our strategy does not distinguish between retail and large scale projects. For Alumil YUI, all market segments are equally important and we remain focused on best serving both, by increasing our technical support, investing in our branding and improving our products and our presence on the territory of Serbia.

NENAD MIŠČEVIĆ, CEO, NECTAR GROUP

Growth With A Purpose Nectar Group, the largest producer of fruit juices and processor of fruits and vegetables in Southeast Europe, has strengthened its position as a regional leader, but Nectar’s aspirations don’t end there. This group has a portfolio, know-how, strength, the desire and motivation to promote globally the quality of food and beverages produced in our region

W

e will certainly stay true to the “It does matter” philosophy of our operations, because that represents what’s most valuable at Nectar - that determination that every fruit, every person, every decision, but also the community in which we operate, are important, because “it does matter” - announces Nenad Miščević, new CEO of the Nectar Group Do you view your appointment as CEO of the Nectar Group as a great challenge and an honour or as a huge responsibility?

It was with great enthusiasm that I took over the position of CEO of the Nectar Group. It is a great honour but the responsibility is even greater. We need to preserve our leadership position and push the boundaries even further, achieving more and leaping further. Nectar has driving energy, know-how, a winning spirit and perseverance, and we have ahead of us a new development and investment cycle of the company that will be marked by further integration, with even greater synergy among all members of the Nectar Group, investments in new technologies, the further development of knowledge and new functional competencies for our people and the strong expansion of our business beyond regional borders.

We will focus on further strengthening the agriculture sector through the strengthening of the local network of farmers, and we will be guided by the key words ‘healthy, quality, domestic’. We are proud of the fact that, together with the Chamber of Commerce &

Industry of Serbia, we initiated the Čuvarkuća [House Guardian] campaign, because we believe that through choosing and buying products that are produced in Serbia out of domestic raw materials, we enable that the value created remains in our country.

You arrived at Nectar from a multinational company. Will the way you worked there help you when it comes to running Nectar?

What drives me, both privately and professionally, is growth, but growth with a purpose that’s

Nectar has driving energy, know-how, a winning spirit and perseverance, and we have ahead of us a new development and investment cycle of the company

aimed at creating better working conditions for our people, developing brands, meeting the needs of our consumers, introducing healthy nutritional habits through the development of wellbeing products, conquering new systems, new technologies, operating sustainably and responsibly and achieving leadership in environmental protection. The fact that Nectar is a

family business that’s 100% family-owned, and that it has grown from a small entrepreneurial venture to become a regional leader, confirms that a good vision, great and dedicated work, constant learning and growth through knowledge and people, led by a winning spirit, knows no bounds. It is precisely this vision, translated into the business philosophy “it does matter”, that is something to which we remain faithful.

That is our pillar of support for new victories in the period ahead of us.

You are known for setting high standards when it comes to sales, introducing innovations and achieving business strategies and processes... Will you continue to rely on that in the new development cycle?

We will continue investing, innovating and expanding beyond the borders of the region – our aim is to be on the shelves of shops around the world and to enter into completely new categories and industries. Strategically, we are focused on the implementation of a sustainable business agenda, in which one of our key focuses is on further improving energy efficiency and maximising possible reductions in emissions of greenhouse gasses. We have invested more than seven million euros in sustainable energy sources and our goal is to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gasses by 20% as of 2030. Through partnerships with local governments, we will also work on improving the model of collecting recycling waste and improving the efficiency of water use by at least 15% by 2027.

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“The EU is Serbia’s largest donor and trading partner and our IPA assistance plays an important role in supporting SMEs.” – SEM FABRIZI, HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO SERBIA

LOCAL NEWS

VICEROY HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCES DEBUT OF VICEROY KOPAONIK SERBIA EARLY 2021 Global hospitality brand Viceroy Hotels & Resorts will soon unveil Viceroy Kopaonik Serbia, a ski-in, ski-out luxury mountain resort that marks the brand’s European debut.

Opening early 2021, near the end of the winter season, Viceroy Kopaonik will add glamorous, West Coast flair to the foot of snow-crested mountains in one of Serbia’s most beloved National Parks. Known for legendary locations in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts chose the most famous ski resort in Serbia for its first European debut highlighting Serbia’s enriched tourism potential and furthers the brand’s visionary philosophy of embracing authentic and culturally rich destinations.

THE NELT GROUP MAINTAINED BUSINESS STABILITY IN THE COVID ERA Nelt Group generated the planned consolidated revenue in the amount of EUR 940 million in 2020. Nelt Group, a leader in providing state-of-the-art distribution and logistics services, employing 4,000 people in 15 companies in 11 markets in Southeast Europe and Africa, has been constantly investing in business development, application of new technologies and affirmation of employees for over 25 years.

“The year we are saying was a year of sacrifice for everyone in Nelt. Our supply chain has functioned continuously in all markets in which we operate and thus enabled the uninterrupted supply of key products to all consumers. We have stepped more significantly into the digitalization process, enabled greater efficiency of business processes and continued with investments. Based on company values, the transformation of the business continues in the desire to provide a long-term business perspective for Nelt and our business partners, “said Milos Jelic, CEO of Nelt Group.

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SUSTAINABILITY BECOMES A CORE ELEMENT OF UNIQA’S NEW STRATEGY As part of its new corporate strategy “UNIQA 3.0 - Seeding the Future”, UNIQA is doubling down on its efforts to reach new goals in climate protection and sustainability. UNIQA already took action at the beginning of 2019 when it announced and committed to its exit from the coal business. Sustainability - or ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) as it is known as in the financial industry - is at the core of the new corporate strategy.

As part of its investment policy, UNIQA is working on the ongoing improvement of the ESG portfolio scoring system that has been introduced in order to consistently continue on the pathway to climate neutrality.

“Among the priorities of the Ministry of Economy are further improvement of the business environment and an increase of investments.” – ANĐELKA ATANASKOVIĆ, MINISTER OF ECONOMY

RIO REPORTS MAIDEN RESERVE IN SERBIA A maiden ore reserve of 16.6-million tonnes, grading 1.18% lithium oxide and 13.4% boron trioxide has been declared at mining major Rio Tinto’s Jadar lithium/borate project, in Serbia.

The company on Thursday announced that the project contained a mineral resource estimate of 55.2-million tonnes of indicated resource, at 1.68% lithium oxide and 17.9% boron trioxide, with an additional 84.1-million tonnes of inferred resource, at 1.84% lithium oxide and 12.6% boron trioxide.

Prefeasibility studies have shown that the Jadar project had the potential to produce battery grade lithium carbonate and boric acid.

NESTLÉ REDOUBLED EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE Actions focus on supporting farmers and suppliers to advance regenerative agriculture, planting hundreds of millions of trees within the next 10 years and completing the company’s transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025. Additionally, Nestlé is continuously increasing the number of ‘carbon neutral’ brands.

As a signatory of the UN ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C’ pledge, Nestlé is one of the first companies to share its detailed, time-bound plan (pdf, 10Mb) and to do so ahead of schedule. The company is taking measures to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 – even as the company grows.

THE POTENTIALS OF POME AND STONE FRUITS AND THE PLANTING MATERIAL SECTOR IN SERBIA Ripe, ruby apples, crimson clusters of cherries, golden pears – Berries, stone fruits all grown in orchards in Serbia’s plains make their way to groceries, dinner tables, fruit bowls and countertops from Kazakhstan and Russia through Turkey to the EU every year. The fruit sector is currently the most competitive industry in Serbia. The key is good planting materials, a good environment for orchards, favourable international trade and a good economic environment which ensures competitiveness.

The production of pome (apple, pears) and stone fruits (plums; cherries; peaches) and planting material in Serbia has been increasing in volume over the past several years. The global pandemic increased the demand for fresh produce.

Serbian fruit producers recorded a rise in export of pome and stone fruits by 19.8% in the first half of 2020.

CONNECTIVITY – A ROAD TOWARDS GREATER ENERGY SECURITY In autumn of 2020, new temporary “COVID hospitals” were built in Serbia – in Batajnica near Belgrade and in Kruševac. Both hospitals are supplied with electricity through 35/10 kV mobile substations donated to Serbia by the European Union (EU) as part of the EU assistance in the European integration process. Serbia previously did not own any mobile substations at a voltage level that can handle the supply and uninterrupted operation of large systems. This goes to show how taking care of the reliability of supply in a timely manner can ensure fast and efficient supply in extraordinary circumstances.

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“No country will be able to compete in the global economy unless it invests much more and more effectively in children and youth.” – DEYANA KOSTADINOVA, UNICEF SERBIA REPRESENTATIVE

LOCAL NEWS

Placements postings

&

appointments@aim.rs

H.E. KATSUMATA TAKAHIKO, NEW AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO SERBIA

Born 11th March 1960, Japan’s new ambassador to Serbia graduated from Gakushuin University’s Faculty of Law in 1982, before joining the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that same year. Advancing through the ranks, he served as Principal Deputy Director of the International Agreements Division of the Treaties Bureau from August 2003, becoming Principal Deputy Director of the Economic and Social Treaties Division of the Treaties Bureau a year later, and Counsel for Treaties Negotiation at the Treaties Bureau in September 2004. He held the position of Director of the Inspection Division at the Minister’s Secretariat from October 2005, before taking on the post of Director of the WTO Dispute Settlement Division of the Economic Affairs Bureau in June 2007 and then becoming director of the Social Treaties Division of the Treaties Bureau in August 2011. In terms of overseas postings, this Japanese diplomat has served as a counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in Turkey, from September 2013, and as a minister at the same embassy, as of January 2015.

Prior to arriving in Belgrade, he served – from July 2016 – as the Ambassador of Japan to Turkmenistan.

H.E. DEMETRIOS A. THEOPHYLACTOU, NEW AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS TO SERBIA

The new Cypriot ambassador has a Ph.D. in International Relations and a Masters in Communications from Washington State University in the U.S. and is a Post Doctoral Fellow of Harvard University and a Senior Associate Member of the University of Oxford. In his diplomatic career, he served as Press Counsellor/Delegate of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN in New York from 1994 to 2001 and as Press Counsellor of the High Commission of Cyprus to Australia. He is serving at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU on the Political and Security Committee from 2004 to 06. Posted as a seconded national expert at the European Commission from 2006 to 09, he was an officer of the European Commission for international relations and international coordination with the Americas, before rejoining the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. After serving as Head of the Asia & Oceania Department at the MFA in 2014-15, he became High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to India and ASEF Governor for Cyprus. Prior to arriving in Belgrade, Ambassador Theophylactou served from 2018 to 2020 as head of the Development Cooperation & Humanitarian Aid Department at the Cypriot MFA. Apart from his native Greek, he is fluent in English and French and proficient in Italian, Spanish and Turkish.

H.E. URS SCHMID, NEW AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO SERBIA

Urs Schmid is a career diplomat. Prior to taking up his current position in Belgrade, he served as ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan, resident in Nur-Sultan from August 2016 to August 2020. He previously served as the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament and as Deputy Head of Mission of the Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the Office of the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, from September 2012 to July 2016.

His former duties have included the positions of Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in London (2009-2012) and Budapest (2005-2009), prior to which he headed the International Security Section at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Berne (2001-2005). He contributed for more than eight years to the setting up of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.

Ambassador Schmid holds an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Zurich and is a married father of three children.

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“Europe is a community of shared values and we’re in Serbia working hard to intergrate the people of the region as full and equal members.”

– TOBIAS FLESSENKEMPER, HEAD OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE COUNCIL SERBIA

VLADIMIR LUČIĆ, NEW TELEKOM SRBIJA CEO

The Telekom Srbija Supervisory Board has appointed Vladimir Lučić as the company’s CEO. Born in the city of Šabac in 1971, Lučić graduated from the Belgrade University Faculty of Electrical Engineering and completed his MBA studies under the programme of Switzerland’s Kurt Bösch University Institute. He has been part of the Telekom Srbija team since the company’s founding in 1997, with minor breaks during the period when he was working and advancing himself professionally in Sweden and Germany. Lučić has held important positions at Telekom Srbija, including, amongst others, serving as Director of Mobile Telephony of Serbia from 2003 and Director of the Directorate for Commercial Affairs from 2008. He arrives in the position of Telekom Srbija CEO from the positions of Executive Director of M:tel Montenegro and coordinator of the Telekom Srbija group for internet and multimedia.

NENAD MIŠČEVIĆ, NEW NECTAR GROUP CEO

Nenad Miščević is the new CEO of Nectar Group, the largest producer of juices and processor of fruits and vegetables in Southeast Europe, which includes the brands Nectar, Heba and Fructal.

Miščević joins Nectar Group from the position of General Manager of PepsiCo for South Central Europe and the Baltic region. He has amassed over 15 years of professional experience in key management positions. He played a significant role in setting high standards in sales results at PepsiCo, introducing innovations and successfully implementing sales and business strategies to achieve business process excellence and ensure a secure path for the company’s business development. Miščević graduated from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Economics.

NUNO PINTO LEITE , NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF PEPSICO FOR THE SOUTHERN MARKETS OF CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE BALTIC STATES

Nuno Pinto Leite now heads PepsiCo’s operations for the southern markets of Central Europe and the Baltic States, while also taking over the position of PepsiCo General Manager in Serbia. He joined PepsiCo in 2017, initially taking on a management position in the UK, before joining the team in Central Europe to take the helm of one of the fastest growing businesses in Europe, in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. He acquired his many years of experience in managerial positions at multinational companies L’Oreal, Bain & Company and Amazon UK. Educated as a lawyer, he also holds an MBA from the prestigious London Business School (LBS).

ANDRÉ CALANTZOPOULOS AND JACEK OLCZAK, NEW CHAIRMAN AND NEW CEO OF PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL

Philip Morris International’s incumbent Chief Executive Officer, André Calantzopoulos, has been appointed as the new Executive Chairman of the PMI Board. Lucio Noto will serve as interim Chairman until Calantzopoulos’s succession, while PMI’s current COO, Jacek Olczak, will succeed Calantzopoulos as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. According to a PMI announcement, these changes will be effective as of May 2021. Olczak has enjoyed a long career with Philip Morris, having previously worked in finance and general management positions across Europe, including as managing director of PMI’s markets in Poland and Germany and as president of the European Union Region prior to his appointment as CFO of PMI in 2012. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Poland’s University of Lodz.

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JASMINA SIMOVIĆ, FINANCIAL DIRECTOR OF M&M, MILITZER & MÜNCH, TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS D.O.O

M&M Militzer&Munch Strives For The Top With the merging of SwissGerman group Militzer & Münch, which has existed for 140 years, and Serbian company Invictus, the market gained an exclusive provider of complete logistics services and a new leader of the transport and logistics sector.

A

t this company they say that they differ from the competition in terms of their top performance and the dedication of all team members, which is why their logistics services are in great demand. Apart from that, the company has the strong support of the extensive network of M&M affiliates and experts, with many years of experience

In accordance with the needs of clients, branches have opened in Požega, Velika Plana and the CI Terminal, alongside offices in Leskovac and Dobanovci

When you founded this joint venture a year ago, your goal was to create the leading logistics company in Serbia within two years. How far are you from achieving that goal? How did the pandemic impact on that?

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Considering that Militzer & Münch Serbia recently celebrated its first birthday, we are very proud of achievements in the first year of operations. Before the founding of this joint venture, Militzer & Münch was more or less unknown in our country, which is why we first had to present the M&M brand, which has existed on the international market since 1880. Today, after a year, Militzer & Münch Serbia is recognised as a serious market competitor, bearing in mind the experience of our team and our extensive network of branches in 30 countries around the world.

Our goal is to be among the leaders of the transport and logistics sector in Serbia within two years. Customer satisfaction is our primary focus. We analyse demand on the logistics market and adapt our services optimally to the requirements of our customers. Our top performances and the dedication of our team has already set us apart from the competition, which is why there is great demand for our logistics services. Since the joint venture was established last autumn, operations have developed well and we are convinced that we will succeed in achieving our goal. We are proud to see that our services are in such high demand after such a short time.

In just one year of operations, our client portfolio has grown to include some very well-known companies that represent large greenfield investments in the country and can note with satisfaction that these are contracts in which we’re the exclusive provider of the entire logistics services.

On the other hand, like the rest of the market, we felt the impact of COVID-19, because in most cases factories reduced their production capacities and thereby reduced the demand for transport and freight forwarding services, while increasing their demand for storage capacity.

As a consequence of this, back in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, the management of Militzer & Münch Serbia adopted an extraordinary busi-

ness plan with which we managed to maintain liquidity and preserve business at the same level as before the pandemic. Furthermore, our business actually developed the most during that period, because by reacting quickly and reorganising we succeeded in providing the market with services adapted to the new situation.

How important is this joint venture for the numerous German companies that have production facilities in Serbia?

We are currently facing a large number of greenfield investments from all over the world, and mostly greenfield investments from Germany. Each of these companies comes from countries where they are provided with the highest quality service and we see our potential and advantage

We analyse demand on the logistics market and adapt our services optimally to the requirements of our customers

over the competition in the fact that we are able to provide new companies with the kind of service that they’ve become accustomed to in their home countries and thus ensure that they feel at home.

And we can provide and enable all that thanks to the full support of the extensive network of M&M branches and experts with many years of experience with international logistics companies on the territory of Serbia.

Militzer & Münch has focused in Serbia on road transport, exports, imports and customs clearances. Do you plan to expand your portfolio and capacity, which

is already considered enviable, both when it comes to personnel and space?

Cooperation was established in a very short period with leading German companies that operate on the Serbian market, for which we are the exclusive provider of logistics services. In accordance with the needs of clients, branches were opened in Požega, Velika Plana and the CI Terminal. In addition to these offices, offices have been opened in Leskovac and Dobanovci since the founding of M&M. Considering the unexpected growth of the company, the office in Dobanovci was relocated in mid-August to a new office and warehouse space of 10,500m2, and the plan is to solve the issue of our own space as early as the start of 2021, so we are considering building a new logistics centre with modern-equipped offices in Dobanovci.

Given that clients dictate the pace of development, M&M’s portfolio of services includes a entire array of services, starting with international road transport, logistics, freight forwarding, air and sea transport. A challenge for us is also the development of collective lines in the countries of the region, which is why we’re already working on the opening of offices in Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Macedonia, which will be under the control of the branch in Dobanovci, as the main centre in the Balkans. I can state with pride that the M&M operations team has established excellent collective lines in Germany, Italy and Austria, via its dense network of branches in these countries.

With regard to this, there is no doubt that the positioning of Serbia is of great geostrategic importance in terms of the new Silk Road and that we represent a kind of bridge to the EU, and above all a bridge to the most important European ports and road routes. That’s why our long-term plan is also to develop a network of branches and services in the countries of the region in order to ensure better connectivity.

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EMRE TOKMAK, VICE PRESIDENT OF TASYAPI

The Highway That Will Develop The Region Tasyapi is a company that’s working on several projects that are important for Serbia and the region, including construction of the Sremska Rača-Kuzmin Highway, reconstruction of the Novi Pazar-Tutin state road and construction of apartments for the security forces in Niš

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n the south, Tasyapi is engaged in preparation of the preliminary design for the Požega-Kotroman section. We strongly believe that the dedicated Serbian government will proceed with amendments to the current commercial contract in order to enable the construction of this section - says Tasyapi Vice President Emre Tokmak.

Tasyapi is designing and constructing the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway. Can you tell us more about this landmark project?

This project has unique importance for the development of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina throughout the Balkan region, and also creates a significant opportunity for the development of business in both countries.

This region faced severe shared issues in the past, thus this project somehow settles

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mutual disputes and promises a bright future for relations in the neighbourhood. As a company, Tasyapi is proud to represent the Turkish construction industry in this landmark project.

The construction of the highway started with the Sava Bridge on the Kuzmin–Sremska Rača section and will continue in the coming months with the construction of 18 kilometres of the motorway. This section is designed as a classic highway profile, with two lanes, a hard shoulder lane and a central dividing zone, for speeds of up to 130 km/h.

The bridge will be made of premium materials and will satisfy high demands in terms of design, quality and usability. On the other side of Sava, the highway will run alongside the cities of Bijeljina and Brčko, as well as the municipality of Vukosavlje. From there it will continue on towards Sarajevo via Tuzla. In the south, Tasyapi is engaged in preparation of the preliminary design for the PožegaKotroman section.

What is the approximate value of the entire project?

It’s hard to estimate the total value of the project at this stage, considering that it’s one of the largest infrastructure projects in this part of Europe. The indicative figure of the Sremska Rača-Kuzmin section is 250 million euros. General project documentation is currently being prepared for the Požega-Kotroman section, covering a length of around 60 km, and value of that section will significantly exceed the ongoing northern part due to the complexity of the terrain. When we add to this the Bosnian part of the highway, we

assume that the total value of the project will be around four billion euros.

Tasyapi is the contractor on projects to rehabilitate the Novi Pazar-Tutin road and construct residential buildings for members of the security forces in Serbia?

Our teams are also engaged in rehabilitation of the Novi Pazar-Tutin state road. This challenging project is divided into three sections and our machinery and staff are working full time to complete this project in a timely manner. Additionally, we teamed up with a local company to complete works on four residential buildings in Vranje, where we built 186 apartments for members of the security forces in Serbia. We are currently also working on five more residential buildings with the same purpose in Niš, with a total of 190 apartments to be built.

Tasyapi is also active in humanitarian work in Serbia?

Tasyapi has participated in numerous humanitarian activities in the countries where it performs works. Considering the worldwide spread of the novel Coronavirus, we would like to emphasise just the activities we performed in recent months related to this serious virus. Namely, we donated 65 hospital beds for intensive care units, 75 anti-decubitus mattresses, six respirators, over 500 sets of bedding, over 600 pairs of shoes for hospital workers, 5,000 PCR tests and much more.

Our donations were delivered to Belgrade’s KBC Dr Dragisa Mišović-Dedinje, the General Hospital in Novi Pazar and the Republika Srpska Institute of Public health.

Smart Cities...

Empowering Innovation We are today living in a world where a connected future is becoming a reality that enables us to open new doors of learning and education, economic prosperity and a more efficient, humane and sustainable way of life.

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onsidering that 70% of global GDP is currently generated by cities and that 53% of the world’s total population lives in cities, cities now have a more important role than ever when it comes to enabling a more sustainable future.

Cities are becoming vital when it comes to addressing major social, environmental, economic and administrative challenges.

Smart cities combine the physical and digital worlds to provide citizens with a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future. It’s about inclusion and not division, cooperation between citizens and the public and private sectors for sustainable transformation and growth. In other words, investing in human and social capital, as well as investing in modern communication infrastructure and smart and collaborative resource management, encourages sustainable economic development and a high quality of life, which represents the foundation for the development of smart cities.

A smart city should enable a platform that will facilitate the city administration to face the challenges of the city today. It’s not just about applying new technologies, it is about social, industrial or business, technological and governance transformation that incorporates technology into city life by establishing a new more attractive vision and more efficient path to the future. While city authorities can and should manage much of this transformation, the state plays a key role in achieving longterm success.

The development of a smart city can be viewed from several angles. On the one hand, we have global trends that create new challenges – and opportunities – for city leaders worldwide:

1. Urbanisation: according to the United Nations, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050.

2. Ever increasing demand for energy and resources: given that cities consume 75% of the world’s energy and contribute just as much in terms of emissions, despite occupying only 2% of the Earth’s surface area.

3. Cities increasingly want to establish a strong identity: cities want to secure the best conditions and quality of life for their citizens, which results in economic growth, higher inflows of talent, the creation of new jobs and, thus, GDP growth.

4. Increasing connectivity: a growing need and public pressure exist for the introduction of advanced, highly efficient systems of city management, due to the need to use city resources optimally.

On the other hand, we have the complexity of stakeholders who are drivers of development of smart cities to a great extent. All cities have something in common when they consider the development of a smart city and

view pillars of sustainability in economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The success of a smart city is dependent on the economic, geographical and social characteristics of the environment. However, there is one other determining factor: good governance. The crisis caused by the COVID-19 viral pandemic only confirmed the advantages of smart cities, because cities with an established digital platform were able to collect and analyse data much faster, as well as adapting swiftly to the new changes.

Smart cities exist where digital technology, disruptive innovation and an urban environment intersect. As such, they become a dynamic place to work and live, as well as an inexhaustible source of new ideas. The mission of AIGO is to use the exchange of knowledge and experience in order to help with the penetration of innovative technologies that are crucial for the sustainable development of a smart city, thus becoming a catalyst for change in the environment in which we operate and live.

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REGIONAL NEWS

“Due to its membership in the EU, its well-developed digital infrastructure and extensive talent pool, Bulgaria is well poised to attract new investments as Western companies contemplate relocating operations to regions that are closer to their headquarters” – LLIA KRUSTEV, CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGING BOARD AT AIBEST

ROMANIA

NEW EBRD FINANCING FOR ROMANIA’S LARGEST WATER AND WASTEWATER COMPANY The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the water utility sector in Romania with a standby liquidity facility of up to €5 million to SC Raja Constanta SA (RAJA), the largest regional water and wastewater company in the country, to help it cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business.

The facility comes under the Vital Infrastructure Programme of the EBRD’s Solidarity Package which includes emergency liquidity for key infrastructure providers such as RAJA. Majority owned by the county of Constanta, RAJA serves more than three million domestic, industrial and public-sector clients in seven counties of Romania. It is a longstanding client of the EBRD and to date has received five loans worth a total of €101 million. Previous financing helped the company achieve compliance with EU directives on water quality and wastewater collection and treatment.

MONTENEGRO

MONTENEGRO ISSUES 750 MLN EURO BOND ON INTERNATIONAL MARKETS Montenegro issued a record-high 750 million euro bond on the international markets on the 9 December to repay old debt, finance minister Milojko Spajic has confirmed.

The government has to repay a 227 million euro debt maturing in March 2021 and the issue of bonds was the only way to avoid a debt crisis and possibly default, Spajic said.

“The largest part of the sum will be used to repay the principal of loans maturing next year. Another part is needed to finance the budget deficit. Part of the money will also be used to support development projects like innovation and startup funds,” economy minister Jakov Milatovic said.

In September 2019, Montenegro raised 500 million euro by placing a 10-year bond on the international markets at an average yield of 2.55%, with investor demand reaching 1.8 billion euro.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

BOSNIA’S SERB REPUBLIC OFFERS FOR SALE 20.98% OF NASA BANKA The Investment-Development Bank (IRBRS) of Bosnia’s Serb Republic said in a statement that it is selling 5,000,000 preferred shares representing a 20.98% stake in Nasa Banka for 4.05 million marka (2.1 million euro), following an unsuccessful sale attempt in August of this year.

The Serb Republic’s Restitution Fund and Share Fund each own 2,500 shares, or 10.48996% of Nasa Banka’s share capital, IRBRS said in a filing to the Banja Luka Stock Exchange.

Nasa Banka is the name of Pavlovic International Bank since November 2019.

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“This is the time for all stakeholders to work together to bridge their differences, so that Montenegro can earn its place in a community that has been prospering and growing for the past seven decades – AMBASSADOR OANA-CRISTINA POPA, HEAD OF THE EU DELEGATION TO MONTENEGRO.

NORTH MACEDONIA

NORTH MACEDONIA’S ECONOMY TO SHRINK 4.9% IN 2020 The central bank of North Macedonia, NBRSM, said in a statement it expects the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to shrink 4.9% in 2020, compared to 3.5% fall projected earlier.

However, NBRSM expects the country’s economy to bounce back to a 3.9% growth in 2021 and 3.6% growth in 2022.

The downward revision was made due to the prolongation of the pandemic and its impact on all aspects of the economy, the central bank said.

The bank has also increased its end-2020 inflation forecast to 1.1% from around zero projected in April. For 2021 and 2022, the inflation rate projection stands unchanged at 1.5% and 2%, respectively.

SLOVENIA

S&P AFFIRMS SLOVENIA’S ‘AA-/A-1+’ RATINGS

CROATIA

BAYWA R.E. SELLS 10.25 MW WIND FARM CROATIA TO KELAG

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its ‘AA-/A-1+’ long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Slovenia, and the stable outlook.

It expects the Slovenian economy to contract by 7.2% in 2020, hit by the coronavirus crisis, and to grow 5.0% next year. The fiscal deficit is seen at 8.6% of GDP this year, and shrinking to 6.2% of GDP in 2021.

The stable outlook reflects S&P’s expectations that the pandemic will have a contained negative impact on the Slovenian economy and public finances over the next two to three years, against a backdrop of significant fiscal and external buffers.

Germany-based renewable energy developer BayWa r.e. said in a statement it sold its 10.25 MW Orjak wind farm located in Croatia to Austrian energy firm Kelag.

The Orjak wind farm was developed by BayWa r.e.’s subsidiary ECOwind in the municipality of Omis, some 25 km southeast of the city of Split.

Commissioned in December 2018 and benefiting from a long-term feed-in tariff, the wind farm produces over 25,000 MWh per year, enough to meet the average annual consumption of some 7,000 households.

Croatia is promoting a premium feed-in tariff as an incentive to boost the growth of its renewable power capacity to 1.9 GW by 2030, from just over 1 GW in 2019, BayWa r.e. noted.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

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MILOŠ LJUŠIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE UMKA FACTORY; MARKO JANKOVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF KAPPA STAR RECYCLING; BOJANA PERIĆ, DIRECTOR OF EKOSTAR PAK

The Circular Economy Is The Future

Economic growth that’s solely reliant on the consumption and exploitation of limited natural resources is unsustainable in the long run, whether viewed from an economic, social or ecological perspective. That’s why the future is the circular economy, which implies the reuse and recycling of resources

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he leaders of the local application of the circular economy are the Umka Cardboard Factory, KappaStar Recycling and packaging waste management operator Ekostar Pak, which all represent shining examples of how this economy of the future looks. Is is for this reason that we spoke with the directors of these three companies - Miloš Ljušić, Marko Janković and Bojana Perić.

The circular economy is a regenerative industrial economy that has a different system of production and consumption in terms of designing and using resources and relations towards the generating of waste. This is a relatively new domain and, considering how long the Umka Cardboard Factory has been basing its production on recycling, we can say that you are pioneers of this concept in Serbia. What is your secret?

“We are proud of the way we do business, which defines us as a company that is a friend of the environment. As the basic raw material for the production of our final product – cardboard packaging – we use waste paper and cardboard that’s left behind after a product completes its life cycle,” explains Miloš Ljušić, director of the Umka Cardboard Factory.

Umka is the largest recycler of waste packaging paper or cardboard in Serbia, with a total annual capacity of 130,000 tonnes. This company has invested more than 60 million euros over the past 17 years,

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Miloš Ljušić

Marko Janković

increasing its capacity, improving product quality and working to meet the industry’s highest standards. “The cardboard that’s produced by Umka has wide applications of use in the production of packaging for food, pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry and many others. Apart from Serbia, our products appear on more than 30 European markets, including the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Germany, Poland, Czechia, Russia, Hungary, Romania and Turkey,” notes Ljušić.

The European Union has accelerated the development of its public policies in the field of the circular economy since 2014, while it has set very ambitious goals for the next five years within the scope of the so-called Green Agreement and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. How does the development of regulations related to the circular economy impact on your operations?

Bojana Perić “Cardboard is the material of the future. It isn’t losing popularity and the initiative to reduce the use of plastic, as defined by the objectives of the European Union, creates great opportunities for the development of the paper industry. We believe that it is only recycled cardboard, as a packaging material, that can satisfy the requirements of sustainable development and the circular economy, both at this time and in the long run,” concludes Ljušić.

Support for the functioning of the entire system is provided by KappaStar Recycling, a company that has more than 500 employees and is an authorised operator for the collection, transport and treatment of non-hazardous waste, primarily waste paper, but also waste foil and PET packaging, packaging glass and other types of non-hazardous waste. That’s why we also spoke with Marko Janković, the director of

DR IGOR RISTIĆ, SPEC. DENT. PROSTHETICS, CENTRE FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS AND IMPLANTOLOGY

CDEI – Where Digital Technologies In Dentistry Are Applied DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED DENTISTRY

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igital technology has entered dentistry in an intensive way and changed protocols. We now use intra-oral scanners to register situations inside the mouth, with the appropriate software applied to create a place to plan patients’ rehabilitation. Using the same software, we add all the data of a patient’s 3D CBCT images, their photo protocol, and conduct virtually planning and present the patient with their dental therapy prior to starting work in the mouth.

The most significant factor is that we can share all digital files with colleagues all over the world, consulting with them in order to improve our work.

Another great advantage of the digital protocol is that we can print a 3D prototype or model of the full volume of future teeth and submit it to the patient before undertaking the definitive work. Once we adjust the prototype to the details, respecting all the wishes of the patient, we advance to the next phase, in which definitive ceramic crowns are created. We thereby avoid any potential factor of surprise and potential disappointment of the patient with the end

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result, because the patient was involved in the entire working process, with the patient pointing out all possible inconveniences on the prototype of definitive work, which are then corrected to ensure that there is no need for corrections to the definitive work.

Such an approach representing the cutting edge at the global level! Our team strives to follow current work protocols, but also to continue developing cooperation with all partners, including software and hardware

companies and manufacturers of materials.

We also have fantastic tools today in other branches of dentistry in orthodontics, as well as in the treatment of younger patients!

However, digital technology in dentistry is not a magic wand, rather it is just a tool.

Never before have dentists been asked to master such a broad range of diagnostics and computerised data acquisition, but there is no doubt that we are now more precise, more efficient and much less invasive!

DRAGOLJUB ZBILJIĆ, PRESIDENT OF ENERGOTEHNIKA JUŽNA BAČKA

No Vision, No Progress With 9,000 transformer stations, 500 km of gas pipelines, heating pipelines and a gas distribution network, 20 awards and almost 300 employees, Energotehnika Južna Bačka has been considered the region’s leading company in the field of energy for 60 years already. vested lots in human and material resources in order to be able to respond adequately to future projects.

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he acquisition of Kraljevo’s Elektomontaža will contribute to the strengthening of both companies, primarily through the combining of their respective resources and knowhow. Merging their potential is a precondition for strengthening the company’s position as the regional leader and conquering some new markets in the surrounding area, announces Mr Zbiljić.

Južna Bačka is a leading company in the region in the field of energy. How did you achieve that result?

In first place, I would certainly highlight the professional and dedicated team that has contributed to our company’s growth and development. We have implemented a deep and continuous process of innovation in our business strategy, which has certainly contributed to improving the quality of the products and services that we provide to our clients. Such an approach has significantly improved all parameters related to the efficiency and economical nature of operations. Likewise, I would also point out our visionary approach as an important precondition for growth and development, which is really an essential component for achieving top results. I can state freely that we’ve recognised energy and infrastructure needs and trends in on time, and that we in-

You recently reached an agreement to purchase company Elektromontaža d.o.o. Kraljevo. Has this meant you taking another step towards fulfilling your company’s ambitions regarding development?

With the acquisition of Kraljevo’s Elektomontaža we’ve moved from the position of competitors on the market to a position of ownership and a strategic alliance. We are certain that this business move of ours will contribute to the future strengthening of both companies, primarily through the combining of the companies’

A visionary approach is an important precondition for growth and development. That is really an essential component for achieving top results resources and knowledge. By pooling our shared potentials we become more competitive, and we simultaneously consider this a precondition for strengthening our position as a regional leader, as well as a precondition for conquering some new markets in our surroundings.

We are currently working on the complex process of creating synergy between the

companies, which implies restructuring and adapting swiftly to the new conditions.

What do you expect from this pooling of resources in terms of capital, finance, knowledge, expert competencies and experience? Which part of that represents your greatest development potential?

We are convinced that our recent acquisition will contribute to realising and strengthening our strategic advantages.

The exchange of knowledge, merging of engineering and construction potentials and increase in capital will certainly contribute to positioning ourselves even better in the region and gaining an advantage over some foreign companies that gravitate towards these markets.

We’ve also recognised the significant development potential of the progressive policy of the Government of the Republic of Serbia regarding investments in energy infrastructure and the environment. We are convinced that significant funds will be invested in these areas in Serbia and the surrounding countries in the next 10 years. It is for this reason that it is crucial that we continue to have a stable political environment and a proactive approach by the Government and the state administration in the future.

To conclude, it is known that I am a great lover of sport and a sports worker, and that I often draw parallels between business and sport. As such, in recent days I’ve been telling everyone that, with the purchase of Elektromontaža, we are creating a winning team for the Champions League that we’ve been competing in successfully to date.

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“Historically, the $21 billion trading for fourth-quarter rebalancing is minor league, but when you add in heavy-hitter Tesla, $82 billion, you end up doubling the historical high, surpassing the $100 billion mark,” – HOWARD SILVERBLATT, SENIOR INDEX ANALYST AT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

WORLD NEWS

USA

FACEBOOK BREAKUP WOULD DEMOLISH ZUCKERBERG’S SOCIAL MEDIA EMPIRE

UK

BRITISH GAS WORKERS VOTE FOR STRIKE ACTION

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission took a major step toward the possible breakup of Facebook Inc. by formally filing an antitrust lawsuit against the technology giant, accusing it of abusing its monopoly powers in social networking to stifle competition.

The FTC and a coalition of states also suing the company zeroed in on Facebook’s acquisition of photo-sharing app Instagram for $715 million in 2012, and the $22 billion deal for messaging service WhatsApp two years later. The deals, which sailed past regulators when they were proposed, were meant to “squelch” competitive threats, the commission wrote in its complaint. Now, the FTC wants Facebook to divest the two businesses -- an idea that poses an existential threat to the empire built by Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg.

Because much of the company’s revenue growth is already coming from Instagram, and WhatsApp is central to Facebook’s bet on digital commerce, losing the two platforms would threaten to erase much of Facebook’s long-term value. The company’s shares, which have soared more than 35% in 2020, fell as much as 4% Wednesday, ending the trading day down about 2%.

British Gas workers have voted in favour of strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The GMB union said its members backed industrial action by almost 9 to 1 in the vote.

However British Gas parent company Centrica said the action has a ‘very weak mandate’ as only 52% of eligible GMB members voted in its favour.

Union officials will meet in the coming days to consider strike dates, threatening action by British Gas engineers over the festive season.

The union said British Gas has set a deadline of 23 December for thousands of engineers and other staff to accept its conditions and pay cuts or be fired.

Centrica has said there is no set deadline.

SWEDEN

IMF STEERING COMMITTEE NAMES SWEDISH FINANCE MINISTER AS NEXT CHAIR The International Monetary Fund said its steering committee has chosen Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson as the panel’s chair, returning a European to the role for the first time in more than 12 years. Andersson will be the first woman to chair the International Monetary and Financial Committee and will serve a three-year term effective 18 January 2021, the IMF said.

She succeeds Lesetja Kganyago, governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

The IMFC, a 24-member body made up of finance ministers and central bank governors representing member states, is the primary policy advisory body for the global crisis lender and normally meets twice a year at the IMF’s Spring Meetings and Annual Meetings.

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“Our PM is on the podium now waxing lyrical about the fact that Italy’s GDP fell more than Greece’s. This is the state of the eurozone today.” – YANIS VAROUFAKIS, MEMBER OF THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT

CANADA

CANADA EXPECTS END TO BOEING 737 MAX FLIGHT BAN IN JANUARY Canada expects to lift its flight ban on the Boeing 737 MAX jetliner in January, the country’s aviation regulator said in a statement, after it approved design changes to the aircraft grounded in March 2019 following two fatal crashes.

Transport Canada rolled out its plans for bringing the jets back to the country’s skies, first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, following a near two-year flight ban.

The regulator joined U.S. and European authorities in insisting on additional pilot training and a software update to the MCAS anti-stall system that contributed to the two crashes which killed a total of 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

SWITZERLAND

SWISS SAY UBER EATS MUST REGISTER AS POSTAL SERVICE PROVIDER Swiss authorities say food delivery service Uber Eats counts as a postal service provider -- and needs to be regulated as such.

Switzerland’s postal supervisory authority, PostCom, announced that the U.S.-based company’s Swiss affiliate needs to register as a postal service provider by the end of January, though it can contest the decision.

Following a nearly year-long assessment, PostCom found that at least part of Uber Eats’ business falls under postal legislation. Food packages in essence meet the criteria for postal service, and “the nature of the contents isn’t relevant when it comes to the properties of a package,” PostCom said in a statement.

BRAZIL

MERCEDES BENZ ENDS LUXURY CAR PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL Mercedes Benz said in a statement that it would wind down car production in Brazil, shutting down its small factory dedicated to producing luxury vehicles in the city of Iraccemapolis, costing some 370 jobs.

The company said in a statement that the pandemic had caused a drop in demand for luxury vehicles that made it unsustainable to keep the factory open.

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Enterpreneur МІСHАЕL FLАTLЕУ

DАNСЕR, СHОRЕОGRАРHЕR, МUЅІСІАN, FLАUTІЅT АND ВRОАDСАЅT РRЕЅЕNTЕR

An Irish

Success Story Аѕ оf Nоvеmbеr 2020, thе nеt wоrth оf Місhаеl Flаtlеу, founder and dancer of Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live іѕ $380 mіllіоn. Араrt frоm dаnсіng, Місhаеl іѕ аn іnvеѕtоr. Не іnvеѕtеd hіѕ mоnеу іn рrореrtіеѕ lосаtеd іn thе Саrіbbеаn, Nеw Yоrk, аnd Веvеrlу Ніllѕ. Тhе аrtіѕt реrfоrmеd іn ѕеvеrаl ѕhоwѕ іn hіѕ саrееr 52

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illions of people around the world have seen Riverdance first hand, and many many more have seen it on television, online or have at the very least heard about it. What started out as a Eurovision Song Contest interval act has now become what is definitely the most popular and probably the longest running Irish performance act in history. The traditional Irish music and dance show celebrated its 25th anniversary this last year and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Місhаеl Flаtlеу’s shows have played to more than 60 million people in 60 countries and have grossed more than $1 billion.

The 62 уеаrѕ оld Місhаеl Flаtlеу іѕ аn Аmеrісаn асtоr, fоrmеr dаnсеr, сhоrеоgrарhеr, wrіtеr, аnd рrеѕеntеr. Тhе dаnсеr іѕ knоwn ѕеvеrаl Іrіѕh dаnсе ѕhоwѕ nаmеd Rіvеrdаlе, Lоrd оf thе Dаnсе, Fееt оf Flаmеѕ аnd Сеltіс Тіgеr Lіfе. Ассоrdіng tо Реорlе mаgаzіnе, hе іѕ оnе оf thе 50 mоѕt Веаutіful Реорlе іn thе Wоrld. Тhе асtоr іѕ аlѕо а сhеѕѕ mаѕtеr. Тhе lеg іnѕurаnсе оf thе dаnсеr іѕ $40 mіllіоn. Тhе ѕіngеr hоldѕ Guіnnеѕѕ Wоrld Rесоrdѕ fоr tар dаnсіng thrее tіmеѕ реr ѕесоnd. Іn 2015, thе dаnсеr rеtіrеd frоm dаnсе bесаuѕе оf ѕріnаl, knее, fооt, аnd rіb раіn. Мауbе уоu knоw аbоut Місhаеl Flаtlеу vеrу wеll, but dо уоu knоw hоw оld аnd tаll іѕ hе аnd whаt іѕ hіѕ nеt wоrth іn 2020?

Michael, Irish dancer, асtоr and entrepreneur wаѕ bоrn оn Јulу 16, 1958, іn Dеtrоіt, Місhіgаn, Unіtеd Ѕtаtеѕ. Не іѕ іnhеrеnt іn Ѕоuth Ѕіdе, Сhісаgо. Не wаѕ bоrn tо раrеntѕ Місhаеl аnd Еlіzаbеth. Ніѕ раrеntѕ саmе tо thе Unіtеd Ѕtаtеѕ іn 1947. Не ѕtаrtѕ lеаrnіng dаnсе аt аgе 11 уеаrѕ оld bу Dеnnіѕ G. Dеnnеhу. Тhе асtоr hаѕ thrее ѕіѕtеrѕ аnd оnе brоthеr. Тhе grаndmоthеr оf Місhаеl wаѕ а сhаmріоn dаnсеr. Тhе fаthеr оf Місhаеl wаѕ а рlumbеr.

Flаtlеу ѕtudіеd іn Dеnnеhу Ѕсhооl оf Іrіѕh Dаnсе. Не tаkеѕ аdmіѕѕіоn tо Вrоthеr Rісе Ніgh Ѕсhооl and bесаmе thе fіrѕt Аmеrісаn tо wоn Wоrld Іrіѕh Dаnсе tіtlе аt Оіrеасhtаѕ Rіnсе nа Сruіnnе, whісh іѕ Іrіѕh Dаnсіng Сhаmріоnѕhірѕ. Тhе dаnсеr wаѕ оnlу 17 уеаrѕ.

Durіng 1975 аnd 1976, thе wrіtеr wоn АllІrеlаnd Flеаdh Сhеоіl. Араrt frоm dаnсіng, hе раrtісіраtеd іn аmаtеur bохіng Сhісаgо Gоldеn Glоvеѕ tоurnаmеnt. Тhе асtоr rесеіvеd tаlеnt оf dаnсе frоm hіѕ mоthеr. Аftеr соmрlеtіng hіѕ grаduаtіоn, thе dаnсеr dоеѕ ѕеvеrаl јоbѕ lіkе ѕtосkbrоkеr, blасkјасk gаmblеr, аnd flutіѕt. Тhе аrtіѕt tоurеd wіth Grееn Fіеldѕ оf Аmеrіса frоm 1978 tо 1979. Не аlѕо tоurеd wіth Тhе Сhіеftаіnѕ, but hе wаntеd tо bесоmе а full-tіmе mеmbеr оf thе bаnd. Не саught thе аttеntіоn оf Маrу Rоbіnѕоn, whісh wаѕ thе рrоduсеr оf thе dаnсе ѕhоw аnd Рrеѕіdеnt оf Іrеlаnd. Місhаеl rесеіvеd аn іnvіtаtіоn frоm thе 1994 Еurоvіѕіоn Ѕоng Соntеѕt. He реrfоrmеd ѕеvеn-mіnutе іn thе соntеѕt. Аftеr ѕоmе tіmе, thе dаnсеr еаrnеd wоrldwіdе fаmе. Не wоrkеd іn ѕhоw Rіvеr dаnсе, whісh wаѕ рrоduсеd bу

Flаtlеу ѕtudіеd іn Dеnnеhу Ѕсhооl оf Іrіѕh Dаnсе. Не tаkеѕ аdmіѕѕіоn tо Вrоthеr Rісе Ніgh Ѕсhооl and bесаmе thе fіrѕt Аmеrісаn tо wоn Wоrld Іrіѕh Dаnсе tіtlе аt Оіrеасhtаѕ Rіnсе nа Сruіnnе, whісh іѕ Іrіѕh Dаnсіng Сhаmріоnѕhірѕ thе Моуа Dоhеrtу, but hе lеft thе ѕhоw duе tо ѕоmе іѕѕuеѕ wіth ѕаlаrу аnd rоуаltу fееѕ.

Immediately after the Riverdance split, Flatley decided to create his own show, Lord of the Dance. It premiered in June 1996 at the Point Theatre (now 3Arena) in Dublin then made its U.K. premiere at the London Coliseum. The music for the show was composed

by Ronan Hardiman. In 1997, Flatley earned £36 million, ranking him 25th among the world’s highest earning entertainers.

In 1998, Flatley created an expanded version of the show called Feet of Flames which was performed outdoors in Hyde Park, London on a 4-tier hydraulic stage, with a live band including guitarists and violins, and over

100 dancers performing on all 4 levels of the stage, again with music by Ronan Hardiman.

The show featured six new numbers; one of which is Flatley’s solo.

In 1999, he produced another version of that show that included half of the original show and half new material. Titled Feet of Flames: The Victory Tour, the show was performed a single-level stage and toured Europe in 2000 and the U.S. in 2001.

Flatley’s next show, Celtic Tiger Live, opened in July 2005. The show explores the history of the Irish people and Irish emigration to the U.S., fusing a wide range of dance styles, including jazz. The show also includes popular elements from his previous shows, such as Flatley’s flute solos and the line of dancers in the finale.

In November 2007, Flatley and a troupe of male dancers performed on Dancing with the Stars in the U.S. In October 2008, he appeared as a guest judge on an episode of the show, filling in for Len Goodman. He performed the solo “Capone” from Celtic Tiger on the show.

Flatley was also the host of Superstars of Dance, an NBC series that ran for 5 episodes in early 2009.

In December 2009, Flatley returned to the stage for a limited run of the “Hyde Park” version of Feet of Flames in Taiwan. The run of shows had to be extended to meet the demand for tickets.

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Enterpreneur time insured for $57.6 million. Flatley retired in 2016 due to constant spinal, knee, foot, and rib pain, but in January 2017, Flatley introduced his troupe for a performance at the inauguration of Donald Trump. Flatley called it “a great honour”.

Аѕ оf Nоvеmbеr 2020, thе nеt wоrth оf Місhаеl Flаtlеу іѕ $380 mіllіоn. Араrt frоm dаnсіng, Місhаеl іѕ аn іnvеѕtоr. Не іnvеѕtеd hіѕ mоnеу іn рrореrtіеѕ lосаtеd іn thе Саrіbbеаn, Nеw Yоrk, аnd Веvеrlу Ніllѕ. Тhе аrtіѕt реrfоrmеd іn ѕеvеrаl ѕhоwѕ іn hіѕ саrееr.

In 2010, he returned to headline the Lord of the Dance show, with performances in arenas in England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Lord of the Dance 3D, the 3D film of the return tour, debuted in theaters worldwide in 2011. The movie featured performances with new sets, new costumes, state-of-the-art lighting, pyrotechnics, and projections. The 3D film was also released on Blu-ray and a DVD and Blu-ray disc, Michael Flatley Returns as Lord of the Dance, were created. Аѕ оf Nоvеmbеr 2020, thе nеt wоrth оf Місhаеl Flаtlеу іѕ $380 mіllіоn. Араrt frоm dаnсіng, Місhаеl іѕ аn іnvеѕtоr. Не іnvеѕtеd hіѕ mоnеу іn рrореrtіеѕ lосаtеd іn thе Саrіbbеаn,

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Nеw Yоrk, аnd Веvеrlу Ніllѕ. Тhе аrtіѕt реrfоrmеd іn ѕеvеrаl ѕhоwѕ іn hіѕ саrееr. Місhаеl аlѕо еаrnеd rоуаltу frоm hіѕ аutоbіоgrарhу. Тhе асtоr раrtісіраtеd іn а fundrаіѕіng еvеnt оf ЈР МсМаnuѕ. Тhе ѕіngеr ѕоld hіѕ раіntіngѕ fоr €1 mіllіоn аnd dоnаtеd mоnеу tо hіѕ сhаrіtаblе оrgаnіzаtіоn. Тhе еntrерrеnеur аlѕо іnvеѕtеd mоnеу іn Веrkѕhіrе Наthаwау. Місhаеl іѕ thе grеаtеѕt dаnсеr оf аll tіmе.

He is credited with reinventing traditional Irish dance by incorporating new rhythms, syncopation, and upper body movements, which were previously absent from the dance. He is in the Guinness World Records for tap dancing 35 times per second and his feet were at one

In 2001, Flatley purchased Castlehyde, the house originally owned by Douglas Hyde, the first president of Ireland, in North Cork, then in a derelict condition, for €3 million. He spent €27 million renovating the mansion and another €20 million furnishing it with artwork and antiques. In 2015, Michael purchased a mansion in Belgravia, London, just off Eaton Square, for €28 million and listed Castlehyde for sale for €20 million. In addition to Castlehyde and his London mansion, Flatley owns valuable properties in the Caribbean, New York, Beverly Hills, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. He has invested a significant portion of his wealth in Berkshire Hathaway.

In June 2006, Flatley began dating dancer Niamh O’Brien, who danced in several of his shows. They were married in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Fermoy, County Cork, on October 14, 2006, with a reception at Castlehyde. He and his wife have a son, Michael St. James, born in 2007. Тhе dаnсеr rесеіvеd Nаtіоnаl Неrіtаgе Fеllоwѕhір аwаrdеd bу Nаtіоnаl Еndоwmеnt fоr thе Аrtѕ and he wаѕ thе fіrѕt rесіріеnt оf thе Іrіѕh Dаnсіng Соmmіѕѕіоn Fеllоwѕhір аwаrd. Іn 2003, Місhаеl wаѕ nаmеd Flаtlеу Іrіѕh Аmеrісаn оf thе Yеаr. Аt Іrіѕh Роѕt Аwаrd, thе wrіtеr rесеіvеd thе Lіfеtіmе Асhіеvеmеnt Аwаrd.

PROFILE

Everything I (Didn’t) Want Although I found it difficult to imagine something that suited my temperament, in a professional sense, more than working in the Public Relations Office of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and writing engaged poetry, I suddenly found myself choosing the phenomenal universe of children’s literature and fell in love with that activity.

DRAGANA MLADENOVIĆ, HEAD OF THE SANU OFFICE FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS, POET AND CHILDREN’S WRITER

I

t all started five or six years ago, when I noticed that the market has a lot of so-called brain teasers, in which children are tasked, among other things, with recognising what doesn’t belong to a certain group, such as, for example, a carrot among fruits. I thought it would be good to raise that to a higher level and compel children to deal with words in a similar way, to find intruders, but to recognise and register words/concepts instead of pictures, and for these “tasks” to be presented to them in a fluttering form of a poem. That’s how “Intruders” was created in 2016, as poetry for children published in a special, children’s edition of the Book Factory [Fabrike knjiga], which was illustrated by Maja Veselinović. The little “Intruders” was actually a nice introduction to writing the much more complex, more branched, crazier and more demanding “Dar-mar”, which was published in 2019 by the Cre-

ative Centre, one of Serbia’s best publishing companies for children. A special element of it is represented by the unusual, inventive and off-the-wall illustrations of Boris Kuzmanović. The goal of this collection of poetry is to keep children engaged in the text, to compel them to carefully follow what is written, because if they read by heart they’ll be deceived and won’t even notice that, say, in one poem it says that “kukurek kukuriče”, or that one Sunday dinner spread, in addition to a delicious meal,

The first season of “the hunt for intruders” ended with the label of “The White Ravens”, which actually means that Dar-mar was selected among the 250 best children’s books published worldwide in 2019 can also be found an exhausted exhaust pipe, or even that someone brought the emperor to Novi Pazar.

And so the first season of “the hunt for intruders” ended with the label of “The White Ravens”, which actually means that Dar-mar

was selected among the 250 best children’s books published worldwide in 2019.

Work on the novel Mr Oliver, which is intended for those just beginning to read, opened the door to a different endeavour.

Specifically, in April of 2020 I started writing the first part of a novel for younger teenagers entitled Everything I (Didn’t) Want. I had no idea that writing a teen novel was so much fun and so addictive! The book was published in September, and the illustrations for it, as well as for Mr Oliver, were down by the masterful Dušan Pavlić. The novel is about an epidemic of a deadly VIR virus that spreads from computers to people and ensures that one day, when half the city has been quarantined, twelve-year-old Nina and her crush, the best guy in school, seventh-grader Maxim, find themselves in an abandoned house, without parents, phones and internet access.

Given that younger teenagers are notorious as readers, everything in that book is subordinated to their taste. So the book is full of dialogue, action and unexpected twists, it is written in a language that’s familiar to teenagers and discusses topics that relate to them… However, it seems to me that it is especially important that the novel deals pandemic traumas at a time when all of us – from nursery-age children, via teenagers, to us adults – really need to at least slightly change our angle of perceiving what hit us in 2020.

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Art

THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

Artworks Inspired by Christmas:

An Artful Advent 56

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If in Europe, ‘tis the season to cozy up in wooly knits, sip hot buttered rum, wander winter wonderlands and ice skate. If on the other side of the world, it’s time to don a Christmas hat and sling some snags on the BBQ. Wherever you are, scenes of Christmas warm the heart. Christmas in art can mean many things – from advertisements and cartoons to winter landscapes and nativity scenes. We take a look at some sensationally seasonal artworks.

COCA-COLA SANTA

ADORATION OF THE MAGI Gentile da Fabriano Fabriano Church Rubens loved The Adoration of the Magi. He loved it so much he painted it over, and over and over again. A staunch Catholic, Rubens rebelled against Protestantism with the luxurious colors and fabrics afforded to him by the Magi. Glimpsing this scene, the viewer can imagine a fire lit, stockings hung, rich colors and mulled wine.

THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS El Greco El Greco (‘The Greek’) was a 17th century Cretan painter who was deeply religious and prayed intensely. El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain, where he firmly immersed himself within the Spanish Renaissance tradition. His deeply religious beliefs and tendency towards mysticism

impart his paintings with shadowy conviction.

‘The Adoration of the Shepherds’ depicts the ecstatic reception of the birth of Christ. Angels hover and shepherds kneel, while light and darkness compose a sense of awe. This painting was intended to hang over El Greco’s tomb – as the angels watched over Jesus in birth, Jesus would watch over El Greco in death.

THE CHRISTMAS BOOK

THE CHRISTMAS BOOK Norman Rockwell No one paints Americana Christmas better than Norman Rockwell. Most famous for his cover illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell painted happy families, beagles with bows and children clutching wholesomely wrapped boxes like no other. Sleigh-rides, caroling, and decorating Christmas trees, this book satisfies each and every holiday craving.

ADORATION OF THE MAGI

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Art

THE MYSTICAL NATIVITY

COCA-COLA SANTA Haddon Sundblom In 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to create a Santa Claus for their advertisements. The original painting has not survived, as economic concerns during the Great Depression led Sundblom to paint over his original canvas. However, the reproduced images and resilient Christmas cheer remain. No Christmas is complete without a rosy-cheeked jolly Santa chuckling and clutching a bottle of Coca-Cola.

SNOW AT ARGENTEUIL

THE MYSTICAL NATIVITY Boticelli ‘The Mystical Nativity’ is not your typical adoration of the birth of Christ type of painting. It combines the New Testament birth of Christ with the Book of Revelation’s Second Coming and there are embedded references everywhere. The garbs of angels dance in the breeze, embracing figures morph into each other – even the rocks on the land appear soft to touch. This brightly lit and exuberant depiction of the Christmas nativity scene brightens the spirit of viewer, believer or not.

SNOW AT ARGENTEUIL Claude Monet Monet’s ‘Snow at Argenteuil’ series is comprised of 18 paintings, all depicting the snow strewn landscape of Argenteuil, where the French Im-

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THE SNOWMAN

By author

WINTER LANDSCAPE WITH BIRD TRAP

WINTER LANDSCAPE

THE SNOWMAN Raymond Briggs

WINTER LANDSCAPE WITH BIRD TRAP Pieter Brueghel the Younger

Raymond Briggs’s beloved children’s book was published in 1978. It has since been adapted into an animated film, theatrical production and even a video game. The ethereal images capture perfectly the magic and mystery of a child’s Christmas.

The images seem to glow with a light inside and their quiet beauty makes them truly memorable Christmas artworks.

The 17th century Flemish painter Pieter Brueghel the Younger is known for his picturesque village scenes, landscapes, and religious subjects.

In this delicate portrayal of winter village life, people play on the ice – running, almost dancing, maybe falling. Snow-capped houses line a frozen river, with darkened windows only hinting the warmth inside.

WINTER LANDSCAPE Caspar David Friedrich Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘Winter Landscape’ is full of symbolism. A crippled man sits before a crucifix – his crutches having been discarded in the snow – and prays for salvation. In the mist behind, a gothic church tower emerges. The rocks and the evergreen trees may have been intended as symbols of faith, steadfast and unmoving, but they also evoke the feels and shape of Christmas tree, standing majestically in a field of white snow.

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Source: theculturetrip.com / Lucy Andia

pressionist lived in the winter of 1874-1875. In this particular piece, a couple stands at the far end of a road, arm in arm, the outlines of their bodies melding into the snow. The ‘envelope of atmosphere’ created by Monet transports the viewer to crisp winter afternoons inevitably followed by a thawing out by a fireplace.

&FACES PLACES 15/12/2020

Sergey Lavrov Visits Belgrade Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, arrived on a visit to Serbia, where he was welcomed at the Nikola Tesla Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković.

Aleksandar Vučić and Sergey Lavrov attended the ceremony of lighting the eternal fire and laid wreaths at the monument “Eternal Fire” at the Memorial Cemetery to the Liberators of Belgrade.

Addressing the audience, Sergey Lavrov said that it was a great honour for him to participate in the ceremony and conveyed the greetings of Russian President Vladimir Putin to everyone.

17/12/2020

The Foreign Investors Council Held Its Regular Annual Assembly The Foreign Investors Council’s Annual Session Of The Assembly summarizing the key achievements and making solid basis for the future growth. Members also adopted Annual and Preliminary Financial Report for 2020. Respecting epidemiological regulations, the Assembly was held via online platform.

Looking into 2020, FIC President and Telenor CEO Mike Michel pointed out that he is ”honoured by the fact that all our work has been done with active engagement of our members, gathering over 120 companies from various corners of the world, all united around the same goal: to create more predictable, competitive, and sustainable business environment in Serbia.

Our expectation remains the same: further acceleration of reforms, ie. continuing and accelerating membership negotiations with the EU, work on sustainable fiscal consolidation and improvement in implementing laws, with focus on ten key areas FIC sees as priorities for future: taxes, labour, inspections and food safety, infrastructure and real estate, health, bankruptcy and Forex, with digitalization and e-commerce as this year’s top priorities.”, concluded FIC President. Assembly meeting gave the opportunity to track the record of past activities and adopt Annual and Preliminary Financial Report for 2020.

17/12/2020

EU Support To The Serbian Economy To Mitigate The Impact Of COVID-19 Head of the European Union, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, met with the newly appointed Minister of Economy, Ms Andjelka Atanaskovic to discuss priorities of the Ministry and ongoing cooperation with the EU. The Minister presented economic trends and measures taken to mitigating negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economy and thanked for the significant help that the EU is providing to Serbia during the pandemic. .

She stated that the priorities of the Ministry of Economy are further improvement of business environment, increase of investments, completion of privatisation process, continuation of reforms in state ownership area as well as development of women and youth entrepreneurship.

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My life

Branimir Jovanović,

By Radmila Stanković

Assistant Director of the Nikola Tesla Museum

Who is Branimir Jovanović, the scientist who has spent more than four decades studying the work of the genius Nikola Tesla? What are the truths and misconceptions when it comes to the inventor from Smiljan and graduate of the Technical High School in Graz?

Are we aware of how important the transfer of the knowledge of the insights and ideas that Tesla gathered during his life and the impact of these ideas on the organisation of a truly sustainable society of the future? How many of us are today alerted by Tesla’s statement that this civilisation leads to comfort and security, but does not lead in the direction of true culture?!

LIFE DEVOTED TO TESLA January

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My life

O

nly proper, great admirers dedicate their professional life to one topic, and even rarer to one person. Branimir Jovanović (65) belongs to that group of scientists who direct all of their interests towards one man, one historical figure – Nikola Tesla.

It is difficult to determine when this happened, when Branimir was first attracted to the work of the inventor from Smiljan an untried graduate of the Technical High School in Graz, but he vaguely recalls once visiting the Nikola Tesla Museum during his primary school days: “I don’t know exactly when that was, but I clearly remember how I started working at the Museum. It was in the summer of 1977, when I was in the third year of my studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. I was returning from Tašmajdan swimming pool, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, with flip-flops on my feet and unkempt hair, and near the building where I lived I encountered a classmate from the faculty who told me he was going to the Museum for a job as a demonstrator. He invited me to keep him company and when I remarked that I wasn’t properly dressed he said that it didn’t matter because there were no visits at that time and the curator was a friend of his parents, so he wouldn’t get angry.

To this day I still vividly recall the oblique sunlight falling on the elegant Museum door, and the smell of museum artefacts when we entered. I was surprised when my friend suggested, in the middle of the job interview, that I start working instead of him for a month and that he would replace me later. The Museum building was only a ten-minute walk from the apartment where I lived with my parents, the salary was decent and I happily agreed. For some reason, my friend never mentioned our agreement, he left me to continue working and that month of work as a replacement turned into a life-long career. “ Born in Belgrade, where he completed the St. Sava Primary School, the XIV Belgrade Gymnasium High School and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Branimir lived with his parents in Krunska Street (then Proleterskih Brigada), so he spent a good part of his youth at the heart of Vračar. He graduated in the history and philosophy of science at Zagreb Faculty of Philosophy in 1987, then earned

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AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER, WITH CHILDREN IN THE MUSEUM

Observing Tesla in the context of Orthodox epistemology became my greatest fascination.

That’s because then a man is fascinated not only by Tesla’s personal genius, but also by the genius in his family, in which people like that included his mother and uncle and grandfather and brother, and who knows which other members of his family

his doctorate from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade sometime later. All of his topics – for his graduate, master’s and doctoral studies – were connected to the works of Nikola Tesla.

He arrived at the Museum in 1977, when he started working as a demonstrator while he was a student, and has remained there – with certain interruptions – until today. He has gone through all positions - from demonstrator, archivist and curator, to senior curator and ultimately director of the Museum. Today he holds the position of assistant director. The married father of Adela, Sofija and Pavle, he is the grandfather of Rastko, Miša and Vanja.

CorD’s interviewee has published dozens of scientific papers, books and studies, but it is certainly worth mentioning the monograph that was published in Cyrillic script in 2001 under the title ‘Tesla - spirit, work, vision’, and republished in a Latin script version by Vulkan in 2014, under the title ‘Tesla’s Wonderful World’. The book has been translated into English and Chinese and represents a synthesis of his many decades of research into Tesla’s personality and work.

When he talks about the upbringing he received at home, Branimir says that it was traditional: “My parents had a modest high-school education and passed down to my brother and I the ideals of life in the former Yugoslavia, which were reflected in the famous sentence: ‘Son, finish college, get a job and be a man’.

Father served on the railways and mother was a housewife. The value system that was nurtured in my family was simple. You should live honourably and honestly, from your own knowledge and work. Mother always told us ‘children, be good’. I intellectually outgrew my parents relatively quickly and to my provocative question - ‘mum, what does it mean to be good?’ - I didn’t usually receive an answer in words. Mother used examples to show this. She lived a life dedicated to her family and children.

The basis for their existence was father’s salary.

The entry of a television into the house was a revolution, and it was relatively late when my father managed to buy a car. First was a Russian Zaporizhzhia, and then a beetle that was produced in Sarajevo. That was the pinnacle of my family’s ambitions in a material sense.”

Branimir Jovanović, Assistant Director of the Nikola Tesla Museum

WITH A DELEGATION OF THE CITY OF HŌFU (JAPAN), WHICH HOSTED AN EXHIBITION ABOUT TESLA’S LIFE AND WORKS

And when did Branimir start getting seriously interested in Nikola Tesla?

It should be known that he graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering with a degree in aerospace technology and should have dedicated himself to a job as an aeronautical engineer. He had numerous possibilities to do so. Engineers in that profession were in demand at the aircraft factory in Mostar, in Pančevo, at the Military Technical Institute etc. However: “Another possibility emerged at the Museum itself. Specifically, the secretary of the Museum retired and a job became vacant. I had a strong affiliation with history, art and philosophy, so I told my parents that I would like to work temporarily at the Museum, until I found a job in my profession. I was interested in continuing research into Tesla’s work in mechanical engineering, which I had just begun by writing a dissertation on his contributions to aviation. That was the time immediately after Tito’s death, and there was a change of director.

Arriving to head the museum was a professor of the Electrical Engineering Faculty in an honorary role. He didn’t have much time to devote to the work programmes of the museum. The atmosphere was relaxed, working hours weren’t strict and I remember those first few years of working at the museum with great pleasure.”

My conclusion is that the issue of genius was closely related to the issues of character, upbringing, value system and worldview His day would begin with him entering the Museum’s Archives, selecting one of six hundred boxes of Tesla’s original material — his letters or notes on scientific work — and spending the day in the company of this great genius. He felt like a child in a pastry shop.

However, he realised after a few years that he hadn’t managed to memorise most of the things that he’d read. He then began taking systematic notes, in order to create a kind of road map through Tesla’s archive: “It was at that time that I first heard from an American professor, who came to visit the Museum, that a scientific discipline called the history of science exists in the world and that I should better acquaint myself with that discipline if I wanted to place my research on solid scientific foundations. After a short inquiry, I discovered that in the then Yugoslavia

only the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb organised postgraduate studies in the history and philosophy of science, and did so at the Inter-university centre in Dubrovnik. I enrolled in the first semester of those studies in 1985, with the idea of concluding by doing a master’s thesis related to Tesla’s research. I see that year as the start of my serious work on Tesla.”

However, his fascination with Nikola Tesla began in his student days, when Branimir worked as a demonstrator at the Museum.

His work was related to the exhibition, and initially he didn’t have access to the upstairs spaces where the library and archives were located. As time went by and he gained the trust of the people who ran the Museum, he was allowed to occasionally spend time in the museum library in order to use the literature to expand his knowledge related to the work of demonstrators. The library was formally open to visitors, but was very rarely used: “When I discussed that more than 150,000 original documents were kept in the archives, it was not clear to me why the smartest minds in Serbia (Yugoslavia) didn’t sit in the library and use the rich material that the museum preserves.

That was my first fascination. Later, when I gained permanent employment and started my serious scientific research, I was fascinated by the fact that a man who enjoyed a reputation as a genius with an incredible memory, who didn’t need paper and pencil to put his ideas into practise, kept even the most insignificant papers related to his life and work. But certainly the greatest fascination is not related to his work, but to his personality.”

Branimir’s doctoral dissertation was dedicated to the methodology of Tesla’s research work. He considered that, if something important existed in that method, it would be worth researching and passing on that knowledge. In his postgraduate studies he was encouraged to shed light from as many possible positions on all the research of scientific ideas undertaken in the past. Not only from the position of his base profession, but also from the position of history, sociology, philosophy etc.: “When I came to the point in developing my thesis that it was necessary to explain Tesla’s specific creativity in more detail, I was confronted by what were, in my opinion, unconvincing scientific theories that in no way met

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My life

the criteria of an elementary understanding and interpretation of this specific aspect of Tesla’s personality. Our materialist-orientated science had no fine tools at its disposal to understand spiritual phenomena. My contextual analysis of researching Tesla’s method had until ended with the influence of British and American scientists, but now - based on the advice of a mentor - I began looking at Tesla’s method in the context of his family’s spiritual history and his family heritage and upbringing.

“I realised that understanding not only Tesla’s method, but also his entire personality, would be incomplete without this kind of insight. Observing Tesla in the context of Orthodox epistemology became my greatest fascination. That’s because then a man is

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Tesla’s ‘foreseeing’ of the future was actually based on the examining of trends of certain social phenomena. He explained the method that he used in his famous technologicalphilosophical study, published in 1900 under the title ‘The problem of increasing human energy’

fascinated not only by Tesla’s personal genius, but also by the genius in his family, in which people like that included his mother and uncle and grandfather and brother, and who knows which other members of his family. My conclusion is that the issue of genius was closely related to the issues of character, upbringing, value system and worldview. The best thing about it all was that my insights and the level of understanding of my own personality, as well as the personalities of my family and friends and colleagues, improved a lot during that period.”

What is the hardest thing to understand when it comes to Tesla’s discoveries? Why does a certain mystification exist when it comes to Tesla’s discoveries? The closest thing to the truth is that the genius himself partially contributed to that, particularly towards the end of his life.

It was then that he made incredible claims that he had discovered new sources of energy and the possibility of a complete solution to the energy needs of mankind. These statements of his provided the basis for an entire series of abuses after his death, when he was credited with discovering machines for using “free energy”, over unity machines (devices that give off more energy than they use) and the like: “After all the insights and research of his entire documentation, for me there are three possibilities to explain his statements: first, that Tesla – regardless of how much of a genius he was – was mistaken when it came to some of his views and alleged discoveries, which would not be unusual because many great people from the past had misconceptions about certain phenomena; second is that, for some reason, perhaps in an attempt to find sponsors for his research, he deliberately formulated his discoveries in a way that could be interpreted sensationally; and the third and most exciting possibility is that he did indeed have some insights that have remained hidden to our science today. A thorough answer to these questions requires resources, time and a team of dedicated multidisciplinary researchers.”

Many people who admire Tesla’s achievements in the field of physics are ready to say that Tesla foresaw the future. How is it possible to explain to a layman, an inhabitant of the planet Earth, what this is and how Tesla foresaw the future? Mr Jovanović answers as follows: “Tesla’s ‘foreseeing’ of the future was actually

Branimir Jovanović, Assistant Director of the Nikola Tesla Museum

based on the examining of trends of certain social phenomena. He explained the method that he used in his famous technological-philosophical study, published in 1900 under the title ‘The problem of increasing human energy’. Tesla was a pioneer of what is today called social physics or ‘big data analysis’. He visited the New York Central Library every day and in all major languages (English, German, French, Italian) followed, or rather ‘scanned’, the information that interested him. We shouldn’t forget that he was endowed with an unusual memory ability and that he was a genius, which meant that he could process a large amount of data in a short period of time, and thus observe social phenomena from the aspect of analysing the forces acting on them, and particularly from the aspect of inertia. To the eyes of the uninitiated, that seemed almost mystical.”

Many are today ready to interpret Tesla’s special, or supernatural, powers. Branimir sees such interpretations as a social and psychological phenomenon. With the advent of the internet, Tesla became a pop culture phenomenon, a kind of comic book hero who could easily be attributed with fantastic qualities. At the basis of this are many phenomena – from the hidden desire of individuals for sensationalism and greed, to the subconscious desire of the common man for a mythical personality, who solves our accumulated problems heroically, in an incredible and delightful way.

When he came to the Museum as a young man, Branimir was aware that that was the time of Josip Broz Tito’s socialism, where not much was said about Nikola Tesla. Do we in Serbia today have an awareness of the greatness and importance of Nikola Tesla?

“An awareness about the greatness of Tesla exists in Serbia. There is probably no other country in the world where Tesla is so glorified and celebrated. But awareness of Tesla’s importance is still at a very low level even in Serbia. Unfortunately, that awareness doesn’t exist to a sufficient extent even among those who create our science, culture and education.

Tesla is the greatest channel of communication with the world that Serbia doesn’t use enough.

When it comes to culture, and not just science, there is no other personality in our history, or even our present, who possesses such communication potential.”

There is one key idea of Tesla related to a solution to the ‘anthropological’ issue of dialogue between the spiritual and scientific elites this civilisation. Tesla defined this as a solution to the spiritual and moral problems of humanity, as a counterweight to its materialistic aspirations This civilisation leads to comfort and security, but doesn’t lead in the direction of true culture – to quote Nikola Tesla. Few people in the world today mention this warning of Tesla’s. On the other hand, many interested people prove that Tesla would certainly have been more celebrated around the world and would have done better in his life if he hadn’t arrived in America from a Balkan province:

“That would certainly have been the case, especially if Tesla’s origins were in the AngloSaxon world, which has opportunities for cultural marketing that Serbia doesn’t have.

But that isn’t the most important issue. A more important issue is transferring to new generations the knowledge, insights and ideas that Tesla amassed during his life, and the impact of these ideas on the organising of a truly sustainable society in the future.

“There is one key idea of Tesla in this regard that I would like to highlight for the conclusion of this interview.That idea is related to a solution to the ‘anthropological’ issue of dialogue between the spiritual and scientific elites this civilisation.

Tesla defined this as a solution to the spiritual and moral problems of humanity, as a counterweight to its materialistic aspirations. This is the main condition for true sustainability and can be achieved through the development of true culture and true education. This would be a culture that isn’t only identified with art and needs to return to the ancient meaning of ‘dedicated nurturing’, and an education that doesn’t only nurture skills for solving material problems, but rather also those for the development of personality and improving of character.”

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CHILL OUT Google Hit With Massive Outage Google’s services went down for about an hour Monday in a massive outage that prevented many people from watching YouTube videos, accessing their Google Docs or sending email on Gmail.

The outage also made Google Classroom temporarily unavailable, preventing many students learning remotely from accessing their classes.

A little after 8 am ET, most of Google’s services came back online. The company’s workspace status dashboard had been red across the board, with every single Google service indicating an outage. Later Monday morning, they turned green, indicating that they’re operating normally.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and continued support,” Google said in a statement.

Zoom Temporarily Lifting 40-minute Call Limit Over Holidays Zoom is lifting the 40-minute video call limit on the free version of its videoconferencing app so families can have extended virtual chats over Christmas and the New Year.

The US firm behind the hugely popular app, which has seen user numbers soar due increased home working from the current pandemic, is lifting the call limit three times during the festive period.

The first window for free calls started on 17 December, and will last until 11am GMT 19 December, to coincide with the final day of Hanukkah.

It will then be lifted once again between 3pm on 23 December 23 and 11am on Boxing Day (also GMT) for users worldwide to celebrate Christmas together virtually. The third and final period of extended free chat will last in the UK from 3pm GMT on 30 December to 11am GMT on 2 January to herald 2021.

Zoom users won’t have to pay anything for video calls within these time periods, even if they last for hours and hours.

Student Heads For Early Retirement After Winning $20 Million Powerball A student from Queensland in his 20s has just become Australia’s newest millionaire after winning a $20million Powerball jackpot.

The man, from MacGregor in Brisbane’s south, had the only winning entry in mid-December night’s Division One draw, which he purchased online.

After receiving a call from The Lott, the ecstatic man, who chose to remain anonymous, said he would have to tell his family the day after, as they were asleep when he tried to call.

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Harry And Meghan Sign £30 million Podcast Deal With Spotify Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have signed a lucrative podcast deal with Spotify worth up to £30million as they took another big step towards building what experts believe could become a $1billion business empire in the US. The couple will produce and host their own shows as part of the newly formed Archewell Audio - starting with a ‘holiday special’ that the couple hopes will ‘uplift audiences around the world’.

Spotify has not revealed what the contract is worth, but the streaming service agreed a £75m ($100m) deal with US comedian Joe Rogan in May. The Mirror reported the Sussexes would be paid £30million - other sources put it closer to £20million.

The Sussexes’ agreement comes just months after the royals agreed a £100million partnership with Netflix and days after Meghan invested in a $28-per-pack oat-milk ‘superlatte’ business later promoted for free by her LA neighbour Oprah Winfrey.

Mariah Carey’s Christmas Song Reaches No 1 After 26 Years Mariah Carey has finally topped the UK charts with her widely beloved festive hit All I Want for Christmas Is You, 26 years after it was first released.

Carey was kept off the top spot in 1994 by East 17 and their – admittedly also iconic – song Stay Another Day. Since the advent of digital downloads and then streaming, the song has been able to work its way back up the charts each Christmas.

It first re-entered the Top 40 in 2007, reaching No 4, and has returned every year since, tantalisingly reaching No 2 in 2018 and 2019.

Star Wars’ Original Boba Fett Actor Jeremy Bulloch Dead At 75 Actor Jeremy Bulloch, famous for playing the bounty hunter Boba Fett in Star Wars’ The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, has died at age 75.

The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like the Roger Moore-fronted James Bonds movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s.

He died at London’s Tooting’s St George’s Hospital after several ‘health complications’ and a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to his personal website.

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Entering A New

Alexander McQueen Dome Choker €1,400

Fashion Decade Whether your plans involve a night on the town or staying home, New Year’s Eve is a night that demands a great outfit. After all, we're also about to enter a new decade!

Roksanda Ilincic Silk Lela Two – Tone Gown €1,900 Galvan Sequin-Embellished Pride Wrap Dress €1,650

Maria Lucia Hohan Lidia Plisse Gown €1,425

Christian Louboutin €75

Here are a few inspiring fashion ideas to consider for this year's festive days.

With the COVID-19 pandemic having already dominated much of the year, it comes as no surprise that it will also impact on the upcoming holiday season.

The result is that we’ve moved into a holiday shopping mindset even earlier than usual. This is partly a practical step, with both retailers and shoppers looking to approach the festive season in a safe way.

As such, we would like to suggest that you stand for what you are and what you believe in.

Caterina Swag Drop earring €925

Jimmy Choo Sequin Callie Clutch bag €690 Cire Trudon Gloria Christmas Edition candle €110 Aquazzura Aria 105 suede pumps €520

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Ciro Trudon Ernesto Room Spray, 375ml €165

Chopard Two Tone Imperiale watch, 28mm €7,500

Pomellato Rose Gold and Amethyst Ring €2,450

Cartier Eau de Parfum Oud & Santal, 75ml €300

Tom Ford Dress Jacket €4,200

Kingsman Velvet Tuxedo Jacket €1,157

Ralph Lauren Poplin Shirt €410

Favourbrook Velvet Tuxedo Jacket €750

Saint Laurent Tuxedo silk scarf €690

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph watch, 42.5mm €30,000

Cartier Leather belt €550

Amouage Overture Man Eau de Parfum , 100ml €280

Diptyque Sapin de Nuit scented candle €75

Saint Laurent Cole zipped boots €950

Etro Black Grosgrain Trimmed Tuxedo Trousers €328

Tom Ford Patent Eve Oxford Brogues €1,090

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Culture

calendar

Holidays With Friends And Books Books BOX 1 January – Belgrade Youth Centre

The end of another year is approaching and let’s try to end it beautifuly.

Although this year’s edition of the Holiday with Friends will take place without accompanying programs, promotions and book signings, organisers have tried to give you, in cooperation with more than twenty publishing houses, the opportunity to buy / or donate book (s) with 10-50% discounts.

Illustrating Martín Fierro

until 28 February – Institut Cervantes The song by Argentine writer, soldier, journalist and politician José Hernández “Martín Fierro” was published in 1872. This epic is composed of two parts: “El Gaucho Martín Fierro” and “La vuelta de Martín Fierro”. Today, this famous work is considered one of the most significant expressions of Argentine literature, it has been translated into more than 30 languages, including Serbian.

The Embassy of Argentina and the Instituto Cervantes in Belgrade present 13 lithographs made by painter, draftsman and engraver Carlos Alonso (Tunuyán, Mendoza, 1929) for the publishing house Emecé, after winning an illustration contest for Martín Fierro and another work by Don Quixote in the 1950s. de la Mancha. The circulation included 2,000 copies with 13 lithographs and 67 drawings.

Then, in 1963, he illustrated postcards for scenes from “Don Quixote” for the Soviet Union, along with other great artists such as Gustave Doré, Honore Daumier and Pablo Picasso.

In the works of Carlos Alonso, there are scars from the military dictatorship (in 1977 he was exiled in Spain), as well as political engagement, not neglecting the eroticism noticeable in the second part of his artistic production. Alonso’s work constantly points to the paradox between subjectivity and rationality, chaos and order, between pleasure and discipline.

Thomas Dylan Verses On Film 26 January, 7 pm, SKC

See you in the bookstore, the hall of the Belgrade Youth Center and at www.beopolis.rs.

P.S. Here is a list of publishers and discounts, so you slowly start preparing.

30% -50% discount: Book Factory 25% discount: Plato Publishing 20% discount: Rašić Literary Workshop, Desk, Geopoetics, Athos, L.O.M., Karpos, Contrast, Bukefal, Faculty of Media and Communication, Komiko, Arete, Fedon, Hoplit 15% discount: Booka, Futura publications, PPM Enclave, Psychopolis 10% discount: Dereta, Clio, XX century

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The sixth edition of the cycle “Performing Poetry on Film” is dedicated to the verses of Dylan Thomas. It builds on an analysis of film performances of poetry by T. S. Eliot, William Blake, William Butler Yates, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman. One segment of the films from which the inserts will be shown is dedicated to his personality, ie in a documentary or somewhat fictionalized way it deals with his nature, life habits and approach to poetry, with a clear emphasis on the specifics of the way he performed his poetry.

The second segment includes those film narratives in which his name is only mentioned, and which are entangled around some specific verses, such as “and death will have no dominion,” or “does not go quietly into that mild night.”

In Soderbergh’s version of “Solaris”, the constant return of a dead unrepentant darling, for which the protagonist finds an explanation in the influence of the planet in whose orbit the space station in which the action takes place, is hinted at by Thomas Dylan’s verses he utters at a real meeting. In John Smith’s Dangerous Minds, verses of disapproval of death are read by analogy with the ethics of street fighting, which is the reality of teenagers growing up in a small provincial town in California, where racial segregation, poverty and complete distrust of society prevail.

RECOMMENDS

THE ICKABOG J.K. Rowling 3.299,00 rsd The Ickabog is coming… A mythical monster, a kingdom in peril, an adventure that will test two children’s bravery to the limit. Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world’s best storytellers. The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustaches you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them.

Everything was perfect – except for the misty Marshlands to the north which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth, to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own.

HILMA AF KLINT: SEEING IS BELIEVING Kurt Almqvist, Louise Belfrage 3.999,00 din The result of a series of lectures delivered during the 2016 Serpentine Galleries exhibition Hilma af Klint: Painting the Unseen, this volume gathers essays examining the last abstract series made by Hilma af Klint (1862-1944). The paintings were all created in the first half of the year 1920 and are the last paintings af Klint made before turning to watercolour.

Reproductions of these images are complemented by essays from Briony Fer, David Lomas, Branden W. Joseph, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Daniel Birnbaum, which shed new light on af Klint and her importance for artists today, also addressing the need for a broader conception of art history that her work proposes.

CHOCOLATE: RECIPES AND TECHNIQUES FROM THE FERRANDI SCHOOL OF CULINARY ARTS Esterelle Payany 3.999,00 din This is the ultimate reference on cooking with chocolate from Ferrandi, the Parisian school of culinary arts that was dubbed the “Harvard of gastronomy” by Le Monde newspaper.

This book offers a complete chocolate course for the home chef from the world-renowned professional culinary school Ferrandi Paris. It presents comprehensive techniques for working with chocolate, from tempering and decorative flourishes to recipes such as the Opéra pastry or molten chocolate cake. From rich chocolate ganache to melt-in-your mouth truffles, this book leads aspiring bakers through every step-from basic to special occasion skills. Starting with advice on how to equip your kitchen, to essential techniques, fillings, and decorations, the books covers everything from quick desserts to holiday specialties and from frozen ice creams and sorbets to candies.

THE LITTLE BOOK OF DANISH DESIGN: FOR CHILDREN AND CURIOUS GROWN-UPS Marie Hugstead, Kitt Stuart Schwenn 4.799,00 RSD The Little Book of Danish Design for Children and Curious Grown-Ups tells fun and interesting stories about 50 Danish design icons. With a light touch and colourful and humorous illustrations, the book takes a fresh look at some of the many great Danish design objects that have been created for the home over the past century.

The book presents popular design classics by Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Hans J. Wegner as well as the LEGO brick, the Panton chair and a selection of new iconic products by Royal Copenhagen and Bang & Olufsen, among many others.

WRITING THE FUTURE: JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT AND THE HIP-HOP GENERATION Liz Munsell, Greg Tate 5.599,00 RSD In the early 1980s, art and writing labeled as graffiti transitioned from New York City walls and subway trains onto canvas and into art galleries. Young artists who freely sampled from their urban experiences and their largely black, Latino and immigrant histories infused the downtown art scene with expressionist, pop and graffiti-inspired compositions.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was among the best known of these emerging artists. He and his fellow creators – including A-One, Fab Five Freddy, Futura, Keith Haring, Kool Koor, LA2, Lady Pink, Lee Quiñones, Rammellzee and Toxic – became avant-garde leaders infiltrating and reshaping the predominantly white art world. This book captures the energy, inventiveness, and resistance unleashed when hip-hop went ‘all city’.

TIM WALKER: SHOOT FOR THE MOON Tim Walker 13.549,00 RSD Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars - Norman Vincent Peale. Tim Walker s monograph Story Teller, published by Thames & Hudson, introduced audiences to this unique photographer s fantastical, magical worlds, conjured anew with each shoot. But every point must have its counterpoint, day its night, light its dark; creativity is no different. Shoot for the Moon, Walker s much anticipated followup, draws audiences close to reveal fantasy s other, darker side. Delving deep into the art and mind of one of the most exciting and original fashion photographers working today, Shoot for the Moon showcases the gamut of Walker s weird, wild Wonderlands. In images that demand to be read as art as much as fashion, his signature opulence and decadent eccentricity encroach ever further beyond the real , exploring the mysteries of imagination and inspiration, and where it is they come from. Dazzlingly designed to a lavish spec, with images featuring some of the biggest names in fashion and contemporary culture, and texts and commentary by a collection of noteworthy contributors as well as Walker himself, Shoot for the Moon is set to be an unmissable addition to the lexicon of fashion photography.

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

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AFTER WORK

10 AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL DEC CONGRATULATES HANUKKAH On the eve of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Ambassador of Israel to Serbia H.E. Yahel Vilan addressed all celebrating this holiday via the Embassy’s official Facebook page.

Ambassador Vilan wished an ending to a very difficult year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and expressed his belief that “the light is at the end of the tunnel”.

Ambassador said that he is happy to have the opportunity to celebrate the great Jewish holiday with the Serbian people, and pointed out the strong ties between Serbia and Israel.

10 DEC AMCHAM 8TH LAP TIME CONFERENCE: E-PROGRESS AmCham member companies believe economic recovery in 2021 would best be promoted by reforms to strengthen rule of law and judicial efficiency, make changes to legislation more predictable, optimize and digitalize public administration, create synergies between public and private healthcare, tackle the shadow economy, and streamline tax administration.

Despite the strong impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both the global and the Serbian economy, members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia are cautiously optimistic in their expectations for 2021. Most AmCham members (56 percent) forecast business expansion and growth in 2021, with 30 percent planning new hiring.

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AFTER WORK

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

17 DEC KOREA DONATES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION EQUIPMENT TO SERBIA The Korean Government has delivered criminal investigation equipment to the National Forensic Center of the Ministry of Serbia, comprising of an advanced video recovery program, a video spectral comparator and IT equipment to support Serbia’s efforts to improve criminal investigation. The value of the donation is $100,000.

At the donation ceremony, Head of Criminal Police Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior Bogdan Pušić thanked Ambassador of Korea to Serbia H.E. Hyoung-chan Choe on the donation, and pointed out that the donated equipment will help Serbia strengthen its capacities in criminal investigation.

Ambassador Choe stated that he was pleased to deliver the Korean digital video recovery program which was developed in Korea with an advanced technology along with other IT equipment and that he hoped these high-quality items would be useful for experts and investigators of the National Forensic Center of Serbia in strengthening its capacity of criminal investigation.

18 DEC CONFERENCE “CULTURE IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC” The regional conference “Culture in the Age of Pandemic” was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia as an opportunity to exchange opinions and best practices and potentially launch initiatives aimed at overcoming the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Representatives of the ministries of culture of the region participated in the online conference. The conference was also attended by ambassadors of foreign countries to Serbia, as well as representatives of the foreign cultural institutions.

The head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, said that the EU had provided support to culture through various mechanisms and programs.

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CSR 2021 New Reality

New Responsibility

COMMENT

Giving Has Become Even More Precious Both CSR practitioners and researchers expect companies to profoundly reconsider their CSR strategies in the post-pandemic era and to interlink their personal goals with those related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

I

t is no secret that the COVID-19 global pandemic has had a profound impact on the globalbusinesscommunityanditsrelations with global and local surroundings. Pressed by the cost of the continuing crisis, countries around the world have decided to open up to the business world and seek support. Indeed, in many countries – Serbia included – numerous companies rushed to support healthcare systems in providing essential equipment and medication. More than half of all companies in Serbia report that the crisis has had a major impact on their finances and operations, while the remaining companies assess its impact as medium. Regardless of these sobering statistics, most companies did their best to channel their CSR activities toward those who are most in need.

This unprecedented crisis has affected both consumer behaviour and company practises. Consumers changed the way they use their spare income and spare time, taking the opportunity to reconsider their values, priorities and sentiments in buying products and brands.

These changes have important consequences for companies. In the face of these new consumer trends, they will need to adjust

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their strategic decisions. Numerous companies have already decided to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to demonstrate their commitment to fighting against COVID-19 and alleviating the negative consequences of the pandemic for their stakeholders.

Both CSR practitioners and researchers

and environmental challenges. This will come as a consequence of the changes in consumer preferences, as the people demand action that is more meaningful and ethical. This, for example, means interlinking CSR activities with sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In a more straightforward way, consumers expect companies to respond toboththeglobalandlocalthreatstoeconomic, social and environmental sustainability that have been imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Such a situation may create space for some improvements in domestic legislation governing CSR, specifically food donations,

Consumers expect companies to respond to both the global and local threats to economic, social and environmental sustainability that have been imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak expect companies to profoundly reconsider their CSR strategies in the post-pandemic era.

Our interlocutors, as well as their colleagues elsewhere around the world, expect that the experiences of the COVID-19 global pandemic could lead to changes in consumer psychology and behaviour, especially in terms of the central role that CSR can play in reconstructing business opportunities and international economies.

For example, it is expected that companies will put much more effort into shifting towards more genuine and authentic CSR that contributes to addressing urgent social

which it seems could be needed even more once the full weight of the economic crisis hits.

As pointed out in our publication, it is estimated that the value of food donated on the Serbian market currently amounts to a value of 525.6 million dinars. If VAT on food donations were to be abolished, donors would increase their contribution by almost a third.

Translated into meals, this would mean an additional 1.2 million meals.

This topic was debated with decision makers at the height of the pandemic, but it remains to be seen whether the proposal will be adopted. â–

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INTERVIEW COMMENT

NEVEN MARINOVIĆ, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF SMART KOLEKTIV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS FORUM SERBIA

Focusing Attention On Sustainable Operations W

We are witnessing changes to values, behaviour and priorities in all aspects of life, as well as in interactions between businesses and the society and communities in which they operate.

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ithout a shadow of a doubt, and without competition, the Coronavirus pandemic marked all aspects of life in 2020, including the domain of CSR activities. “We are aware of how negatively it has impacted on society and the economy, especially certain segments of the economy, the health system and individuals,” says Neven Marinović, Co-founder and Director of Smart Kolektiv and Executive Director of the Responsible Business Forum Serbia.

Companies first had to focus massively on the safety and health of employees, both physical and mental, which is certainly a positive trend, andmanyoftheseexperiencesandpractiseswill continue being applied even after the epidemic ends, notes our interlocutor. On the other hand, as he explains, companies have - like society as a whole – reconsidered their business practises, but also their priorities in doing business. We can state unreservedly that companies will pay much more attention to topics related to sustainable business in the future, because it is now much clearer to everyone how important it is to preserve ecosystems that are already significantly damaged, to turn and direct the majority of business towards the local level, which includes local suppliers and partners, but also to support society as a whole and the support systems that are essential to us, such as healthcare and social care.

Alongside some global initiatives – such as the roadmap to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the manifesto of the World Economic Forum in Davos that calls for more responsible capitalism, and the new measures of the European Commission aimed at combating climate change – we can definitely expect these topics to be in the spotlight even more.

When it comes to the tangible engagements of companies in the period ahead, future investments in socially responsible projects will be influenced greatly by the epidemiological situation – by its seriousness and duration.

Most companies that don’t have endangered operations aren’t planning to abandon their activities to date related to engagements in the community,emphasisingthatsuchengagements should be strengthened during times of crisis.

What do you consider as the key characteristics of company donations directed towards responding to the pandemic?

According to the annual questionnaire Better Business for a Better Society, which was conducted again this year by the Responsible Business Forum, under the scope of the Project to Improve the Framework of Donations that’s implemented by the Charity Coalition with the support of USAID, 95% of surveyed companies were involved in supporting the community during the crisis, with the aim of preventing the negative consequences of the pandemic.

This support came mostly in the form of monetary donations, but we could also see a significant share of donations in products.

Companies also provided support in the form of the provision of pro bono services, through the launching of special projects to support small and medium-sized enterprises and with campaigns calling for responsible behaviour.

The surveyed companies donated an average of around seven million dinars to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic, based on data collected until the end of June this year, while the largest amount of an individual donation recorded was 54.4 million dinars. Almost half of the recorded amount of donations was intended for direct support to the health system (RHIF and health institutions), while the other half was directed towards the support of local governments and local and national organisations dealing with humanitarian work, as well as institutions of social protection.

Organisations that deal with the topic of CSR and companies have been advocating for a long time for the introduction of stimulating legal measures, such as the abolition of VAT on food donations. This partly occurred during the pandemic. Is there space for this kind of change to become a permanent solution?

It was made possible during the state of emergency to donate goods/equipment without paying VAT, for those donations that were sent to healthcare institutions. Most of the companies that we had an opportunity to talk with assessed the implementation of this mechanism as being good. However, it seems that the wider coverage of donations with this measure was lacking, bearing in mind the current needs that have emerged in the wider community and the increased need, among other things, for food donations.

When it comes to food donations, this is a long-term issue that relates mostly to support for the most endangered sections of society, but it also has a great impact on environmental issues and the efficient use of limited natural resources. It is a known statistic that a third

the date of expiry. This certainly isn’t the case in the countries of the European Union, which resolved this issue by adopting the Guidelines for food donations and currently 20 of the 27 EU member states do not charge VAT on food donated before its date of expiry.

Analysis conducted by the Forum for Responsible Business, on behalf of the USAID-supported Charity Coalition, shows that the social benefits of abolishingVATwould greatly exceed the potential social costs. The current value of food donated on the Serbian market is estimated at 525.6 million dinars, but with the measure of abolishing VAT this total would increase by almost a third, i.e. to an amount close to 700 million dinars. If we view this increase through the monetary value of one meal, it could mean an additional 1.2 million meals.

The Responsible Business Forum and Smart Kolektiv have been awarding the Volunteering Award since 2011. An invitation was announced on the eve of 5th December, International Volunteer Day, while the awards will be presented in March 2021. of food is destroyed globally, producing up to eight per cent of all greenhouse gases.

The amount of food destroyed in Serbia is measured in the billions of dinars and has a value ten times that of food that is donated, and one of the reasons for that is the lack of a stimulating fiscal framework.

The situation at present is such that it pays off more for businesspeople to wait for the expiry date of food to pass and to send it for destruction than it does to donate food prior to

We have also presented this proposal to decision makers, and we are hopeful that there will be room to continue the dialogue and for this proposal to be adopted in the near future.

You also advocate for the abolition of the taxable amount of scholarships for pupils and students, and in the previous period you had your first discussions on this topic with the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Administration.

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INTERVIEW The minimum non-taxable amount for scholarships that are awarded to pupils and students was increased from 11,741 to 30,000 dinars with the adoption of amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax in October 2019, and it was subsequently adjusted further, in February 2020, and currently stands at 30,570 dinars.

This is one of the significant achievements that came as a result of joint work with the Council for Philanthropy, which was established by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia within the previous mandate, and included – in addition to the aforementioned ministries – organisations gathered in the Charity Coalition comprising the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Trag Foundation, Smart Kolektiv, Catalyst Balcans, the Forum for Responsible Business, the Serbian Philanthropic Forum and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, as initiators of this initiative.

Which measures are essential when it comes to motivating more companies and wealthy individuals to help society?

The transparency of information and strengthening of mutual trust are prerequisites for establishing lasting partnership relations among all stakeholders in society. For example, when it comes to companies, under amendments to the Law on Accounting, which came into force on 1st January 2020, large companies with over 500 employees are required to report on sustainability, which represents a significant indicator of the quality of operations and, thus, the building of trust and the impact a company has on society. In this sense, the impact that companies have on society will also be an increasingly important measure for the financing of activities, but also for the market preferences of consumers.

What seems to me to be an essential measure is to work on the systematic recognising and evaluating of good practises, the more strategic positioning of responsible and sustainable operations in our country’s development agenda and the building of a general consensus regarding priorities in which to invest. It is with this objective in mind that the Forum for Responsible Business has launched a consultation process with the business community that has the idea of advocating for the initiation and adoption of a new sustainable business agenda. When it comes to sustainable development, the priorities for

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the business sector - according to research into the attitudes of the business community - show that we have a number of topics that need to be worked on systemically. When it comes to people, these are: the hiring of young people, training and educational courses for professional occupations, working inclusivity of persons with disabilities, health and safety at work, as well as reducing inequality and poverty. When it comes to environmental protection, the challenges and opportunities for advancement relate to the management of waste and chemicals, energy efficiency, efficiency of the use of natural resources in production and consumption, as well as the quality and availability of water.

existing relationship with its employees, so this relationship already exists and is further regulated by internal policies that define when and how employees can dedicate time to a social goal, with the company’s support. However, we are also seeing the emergence of new ways of engaging, such as expert volunteering and remote online volunteering, which remain unclear in the legal sense. On the other hand, a clear distinction needs to be made between volunteering and internships, which have been rendered almost equal in some professions.

There are numerous reasons why organisations have pointed out the need for a more stimulating framework for years. However, progress has also been made in that domain this year.

The amount of food destroyed in Serbia is measured in the billions of dinars and has a value ten times that of food that is donated, and one of the reasons for that is the lack of a stimulating fiscal framework This is a time when many people worldwide have volunteered to help their compatriots and other people to overcome the pandemic.

Our Law on Volunteering has been criticised on multiple occasions due to its inappropriate solutions. How much does this result in volunteering, as a form of CSR, suffering?

The whole society suffers due to an inadequate legalframeworkforvolunteering.Unfortunately, volunteering through the legal framework is not valued and recognised as a universal value that should be nurtured and encouraged, rather the emphasis is placed on the prevention of abuse.

Corporate volunteering is based on a company’s

After almost a decade of implementing the Law on Volunteering, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs has formed a Working Group, and we have taken on active participation in its work. An ex post analysis of the effects of the implementing of thislaw,whichwasconductedwithinthescopeof the mandate of this working group - comprising representativesofstateinstitutions,civilsociety organisations and trade unions - showed that the law needs to be amended, so we now expect the forming of a new working group that will work in detail on ex ante analysis and the proposal for amendments to the law on volunteering.

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BUSINESS

LIDL SRBIJA

For A Better Tomorrow

Corporate social responsibility is an important part of the corporate philosophy of Lidl Srbija

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he company’s responsibility motto is “For a better tomorrow”, and it is in accordance with this that Lidl bases its activities on five pillars of responsibility: assortment, employees, environment, society and business partners, through which the company ensures that high quality is affordable, while advocating for the well-being of everyone who comprises the society, achieving long-term partnerships, taking care of its employees and preserving the natural environment.

REset plastic With a desire to preserve and improve the environment in which it operates, a special segment of Lidl’s responsibility is accounted for by a responsible attitude towards the natural environment, through a reduction in environmental pollution and the saving of energy and natural resources.

thicker than 50 microns, which are durable and suitable for multiple use, have been introduced in other cities.

• REdesign - the use of more responsible packaging is reflected in Lidl’s international commitment to reduce the percentage of polymeric materials in products of its private brand by 20% by the end of 2025.

Another goal is to ensure all Lidl brand plastic packaging is recyclable by the end of 2025.

• REcycle - directed towards increasing the use of recycled plastics, this area encompasses continuous increases in the share of recycled plastic products in the Lidl range. Thus, at Lidl you can find products like Crivit sports shoes, which are made from plastic collected on beaches and coastal areas, or winter jackets that have a stuffing made from recycled bottles.

• REmove - implying the removal of waste from nature. The aim is to protect natural resources through the active removal of plastics. In accordance with this, together with partners from the Mountain Rescue Service and company Ekostar Pak, Lidl has organised the cleaning of Nature Parks on four Serbian mountains.

• REsearch - encompassing the area of encouraging environmental innovation and education. The Lidl market has introduced reusable 30-degree machine-washable bags that can carry up to five kilograms of the customer’s favourite fruits or vegetables.

Given that plastic waste is becoming an ever increasing problem for the planet, Lidl is implementing the measures of REset Plastic, the international strategy for plastics that was launched in 2018 by the Schwarz Gruppe

Given that plastic waste is becoming an ever increasing problem for the planet, Lidl is implementing the measures of REset Plastic, the international strategy for plastics that was launched in 2018 by the Schwarz Gruppe. Within the scope of this strategy, activities are focused on five areas of action: • REduce - reducing the use of plastic, which implies the withdrawing of plastic bags from all Lidl stores in Belgrade in early 2020, while bags

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REmove - activities to clean mountains in Serbia The goal of the initiative for cleaning Serbia’s mountains, implemented this autumn, is to preserve the environment and natural resources.

Apart from cleaning up waste that endangers our nature, we also strive to educate citizens and raise awareness of how to reduce waste, how to properly dispose of it and successfully recycle it after it is removed from nature, in accordance with the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.

Lidl launched this action on Mount Kopaonik. Volunteers removed waste from nature on the slopes of the National Park, one part of which has the highest concentration of accommodation facilities and cable cars, and thus a large fluctuation of visitors and, accordingly, a large amount of waste that they leave behind. This endeavour resulted in the

collecting of as much as 45kg of waste.

The next cleaning operation was organised on the Balkan Mountain, Stara Planina. Volunteers participating in this action met up at the Mountain Lodge on the Pirot side of the mountain. From there they headed to Zavoj Lake, only to continue cleaning in the area towards the popular excursion areas of Rosomački lonci and Tupavica Waterfall. The action yielded around 20 kg of waste for recycling.

Fruška Gora was cleaned in October 2020, with a total of 60 bags of waste collected. The cleaning was carried out on Irig Wreath, which has been a favourite picnic spot for years and had accumulated waste that’s left behind by unscrupulous visitors.

This year’s action for removing waste from the mountains of Serbia culminated on Zlatibor. Cleaning activities encompassed the area around the popular hiking trail to the Monument, which is a mandatory route for every visitor to this mountain. These four actions resulted in the collecting of a total of 150 bags of waste, both communal and recyclable, which was taken and further processed by the partner specialised in taking care of its disposal - Ekostar Pak. Instead of celebrations, five million dinars for humanitarian purposes Alongside the strategic and long-term activities mentioned in the area of ensuring a more responsible attitude towards plastics, Lidl is also actively engaged in helping where it is most needed, for humanitarian purposes.

In December 2020 Lidl employees from 30 cities across Serbia were given the opportunity to use funds initially earmarked for annual celebrations to instead select and suggest good causes to receive donations, with the company setting aside five million dinars for that purpose.

Support was provided to both individuals who are raising funds for medical treatment and to institutions working with neglected children and children with disabilities that are based in the same cities

In December 2020 Lidl employees from 30 cities across Serbia were given the opportunity to use funds initially earmarked for annual celebrations to instead select and suggest good causes to receive donations, with the company setting aside five million dinars for that purpose as employees in Lidl stores – from Subotica, via Sombor, Belgrade and Loznica, to Niš.

Most of the money, according to the wishes of employees, has been allocated for the treatment of 15 people registered through the “Budi Human” foundation. In cooperation with this humanitarian foundation, an amount of around four million was directed for the treatment of 14 children and one adult who were most in need at that moment. Help was provided to: Minja Matić, Anika Manić, Oliver Pal Gajodi, Anđela Dimitrijević, Dejan Radojčić, Dražan Vučić, Filip Ivanović, Filip Radojčić, Ivan Filipčev, Jovan Panajotov, Kalina Rašeta, Nataša Stojanov, Ognjen

Stojanović, Ognjen Žužić and Pavle Paunović.

When it comes to local institutions, again respecting the wishes of employees, the remaining part of the total funds was sent to the Centre for the Accommodation and Stay of Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities in Obrenovac, the Vera Blagojević Home for Children and Youth in Banja Koviljaca, the Duško Radović Home in Niš, the Spomenak Home for children without parental care in Pančevo, the Home for children with developmental disabilities at the Monastery of St. Petka in Izvor near Paraćin, the Humanizacija Association in Sombor and Kolevka Home for children with developmental disabilities in Subotica.

With these donations, the Lidl collective showed that humanity must be above everything, for a better tomorrow for everyone.

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Consumers expect companies to respond to both the global and local threats to economic, social and environmental sustainability that have been imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak

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December

MK GROUP BUSINESS

Even in a year that was marked by the Coronavirus Pandemic, the traditional action “Support to the Family” continued, within the scope of which MK Group provides financial support to employees within the group's system who became parents during the year. During 2020, more than five million dinars was secured for 146 newborn babies with a parent employed by MK Group in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.

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peaking at the Sheraton Hotel event where new parents from the company gathered for a video conference, MK Group Vice President Aleksandar Kostić said that, over the past four years, 620 families and more than 1,000 children have been awarded a total amount exceeding 31

of its employees and the community in which it operates.

MK Group last year received the “Friend of the Family” award of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia for this action, and this year’s event was also attended by CCIS President Marko Čadež.

“With the “Support to the Family” campaign and today's event, MK Group – the first laureate of the Family Friend Award that's presented by the Chamber of Commerce and the Serbian Government – celebrates life, as something that is most important to every parent, celebrates children and the future million dinars through the “Support to the Family” campaign.

“The strategic commitment of MK Group is to nurture true values, first and foremost family values, which is why I’m proud that we are also ending this year by supporting families who have bee enriched by a new member,” said Kostić, adding that it is clear to everyone that we live in a time when uncertainty has become commonplace, but that MK Group does not leave to circumstances the support

“With the “Support to the Family” campaign and today’s event, MK Group – the first laureate of the Family Friend Award that’s presented by the Chamber of Commerce and the Serbian Government – celebrates life, as something that is most important to every parent, celebrates children and the future. MK Group is a company that has, for 35 years, cultivated the values of creation, responsibility and sustainability,” said Čadež. He told parents to teach their children about the way they work

MORE THAN 5 MILLION DINARS FOR NEWBORN BABIES IN THE MK GROUP in this company – to be diligent, tenacious, fighters, just like company founder Miodrag Kostić and vice president Aleksandar Kostić.

Also emphasising the importance of support from the employer was MK Group employee Ana Micić. “I’m glad that the MK Group action “Support to the Family” has become a beautiful tradition. Now that one part of the worries and difficulties faced by those of us who received a baby this year is over, this kind of gesture of the employer means a lot to us,” said Micić.

MK Group is among the most successful regional groups, which operates in the fields of agriculture, finance and tourism. Through numerous activities and social responsibility projects, this company strives to provide an adequate contribution to the local community and to support employees in the system. The company’s focus in 2020 was on providing assistance to the health system of the Republic of Serbia in the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic, with over a million euros donated for the purchase of respirators, medical equipment, food and other assistance for vulnerable sections of the population and medical workers.

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Both CSR practitioners and researchers expect companies to profoundly reconsider their CSR strategies in the postpandemic era and to interlink their personal goals with those related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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December

INTERVIEW

H.E. SUBRATA BHATTACHARJEE, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO SERBIA

FIGHTING COVID IN THE “PHARMACY OF THE WORLD”

At least 300 million people will be vaccinated in India by August 2021. India plans to use a digital platform called ‘Co-WIN’ to ensure the real time monitoring of the Coronavirus vaccine. Through this application, people across India will be able to register themselves for vaccination - Subrata Bhattacharjee 2

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CLIMATE CHANGE

TRADE

KOSOVO

In a message given at an event on ‘Safeguarding the planet’, Prime Minister Modi said that India is not only meeting its Paris Agreement targets, but will even exceed them

Exports of Serbian apples to India started in October 2020. There are more such avenues to the Indian market

On the issue of Kosovo, India has a principled stance of supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia

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ust like the rest of the world, India has also spent the last year struggling to cope with the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Given that it is known for its own pharmaceutical industry, it is no surprise that several domestic companies in India are currently testing vaccines against COVID-19.

In this interview for CorD Magazine, Indian Ambassador Subrata Bhattacharjee reminds us that “every third child in the world is vaccinated using vaccines produced in India”. That’s why it is expected that Indian pharmaceutical companies will soon be able to offer citizens of India, but also the rest of the world, a reliable solution for preventing the spread of the virus, which will not be expensive and will thus be available to all countries.

• While nearly the whole world has been witnessing a spike in Coronavirus cases, in India cases have been declining during recent months. Could you explain the present situation in India regarding COVID-19?

- With a large population of 1.2 billion and high population density of 325 inhabitants

have been new daily cases of infection.

Consequently, the total number of active cases has now fallen below four million.

Significantly, nearly 95% of those infected have already recovered and the fatality rate has been less than 1.5%. Less than 4% of cases are active. This success has been possible thanks to the quick and proactive decisions taken by Prime Minister Modi even before the disease could spread throughout the country. Aggressive containment and screening measures were instituted very early. India was among the first to introduce Rapid Antigen Tests, along with the RTPCR test. Large parts of India made masks mandatory way back in April, with PM Modi himself wearing masks in public since early April. India tests as many as a million people every day. With this, cumulative COVID-19 tests in the country number close to150 million. India also used the lockdown period very prudently, by creating facilities for fighting the pandemic. For example, India set up 15,362 dedicated COVID-19 health facilities, about 1.54 million isolation beds,

India plans to use a digital platform called ‘Co-WIN’ for the real time monitoring of the Coronavirus vaccine. Through this app, people in India will be able to register themselves for vaccination per square km, India was naturally worried when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. At its peak in India, the pandemic was causing over 97,000 new infections every day. But that was in mid-September 2020. Until now India has been able to contain the problem significantly, with new infections having now fallen to about 30,000 per day and declining further. Despite the country’s high population density, India has recorded only 6,731 cases of infection and 98 deaths per million residents. At the peak of the pandemic, in mid-September, India had over a million active cases. For many weeks, more people have been recovering every day than there

270,000 oxygen-supported beds and 78,000 ICU beds. It delivered 32,400 ventilators to state hospitals across the country. It also provided 37 million N95 masks and 16 million PPEs to State Governments. With all these measures in place, India is clearly on the path to recovery.

• Speaking at the G20 virtual summit in November 2020, Indian Prime Minister Modi said that terming the pandemic is the biggest challenge the world has faced since World War II. He also called on world leaders to focus their joint decisive action on “preserving the planet”. Do you believe

that awareness of the need to protect the planet could really be raised in the post-corona period?

- In a message at an event on ‘Safeguarding the planet’ on that occasion, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the need to fight climate change in an integrated, comprehensive and holistic manner. He said that India is not only meeting its Paris Agreement targets, but will also exceed them. India has been inspired by its traditional ethos of living in harmony with the environment and has adopted a low carbon and climate resilient development approach.

In order for humanity to prosper, every single individual must prosper, and we should not merely see labour as a factor of production.

Instead, we should focus on the human dignity of every worker. Such an approach, he stated, would be the best guarantee for safeguarding our planet. At the end of the Summit, a G20 Leaders’ Declaration was issued which called for coordinated global action, solidarity and multilateral cooperation to overcome the current challenges and realise the opportunities of the 21st century for all by empowering people, safeguarding the planet and shaping new frontiers.

• India is one of the countries that has experts working on a vaccine against the virus. How far have they progressed and will you insist on a domestic vaccine or will you import vaccines from other manufactures?

- Popularly called “Pharmacy of the World”, India could not have been lacking in efforts to produce a COVID-19 vaccine that is very much needed to end the pandemic. Indian companies are known for producing high-quality vaccines at affordable prices. Every third child around the world is vaccinated with vaccines produced in India. So it is no wonder that three Indian companies have taken the lead in producing COVID-19 vaccine in India.

Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla, producers of two indigenous vaccines, have begun phase three trials of their vaccines in India.

The other company, Serum Institute of India,

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INTERVIEW

is producing a vaccine under an agreement with AstraZeneca. PM Modi himself took a tour of these vaccine production facilities.

Among foreign companies, Pfizer has also applied for permission to use its vaccine in India. The head of India’s National Expert Group for the COVID-19 Vaccine has already announced that at least 300 million people will be vaccinated in India by August 2021.

India plans to use a digital platform called ‘Co-WIN’ for the real time monitoring of the Coronavirus vaccine. Through this app, people in India will be able to register themselves for vaccination. During this time of an acute need for a vaccine worldwide, India is committed to sharing its production capacities with other countries. With this in mind, India invited the ambassadors of many countries to visit vaccine production facilities. Sixty ambassadors visited the vaccine production facilities in Hyderabad, many of whom were greatly impressed and deeply appreciative of India’s role in fighting this global pandemic.

• Cooperation between India and Serbia during the time of the pandemic was reflected in Serbia procuring protective pharmaceutical equipment from India.

You’ve previously stated that Indian pharmaceutical companies are interested in cooperation with Serbia. In which ways?

- Since I spoke about this to the media in September 2020, we have not only been able to create awareness among Serbian and Indian companies about the opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, but we’ve also connected companies from our two countries. We have received feedback that many of them are talking to each other. Some Serbian companies have also conveyed to us that they intend to enhance their business with Indian companies and have proposed representing them in Serbia.

Indian exports to Serbia of pharmaceutical and chemical products, including active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), have increased from a value of US$ 16.772 million in January-September 2019 to US$ 23.992 million during the January-September 2020 period, representing an increase of 43%.

In addition, gloves worth US$2.028 million have been purchased by Serbia.

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• Apart from medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, have you identified other areas where cooperation between the two countries could be improved?

- At a time when disruptions to the global supply chain have had an adverse impact on the export and import activities of every country, there is a greater need to focus on

using technology to improve the delivery of services has opened up further opportunities for this sector and boosted the manufacturing of innovative products.

The Indian textiles sector also has a formidable presence both domestically and internationally and is extremely diverse, with hand-spun and hand-woven textiles at one end

Sixty ambassadors visited the vaccine production facilities in Hyderabad, many of whom were greatly impressed and deeply appreciative of India’s role in fighting this global pandemic specific areas for building closer economic and commercial relations between India and Serbia. Apart from medicines and pharmaceuticals, the agriculture sector offers great prospects. Agriculture plays a major role in Serbia’s economy. Exports of Serbian apples to India started in October 2020. There are more such avenues to the Indian market. Indian agriculture machinery manufacturers are also taking a keen interest in Serbia. A large delegation of Indian companies exhibited at the International Agriculture Fair in Novi Sad in May 2019. There was a plan for even greater participation in 2020, but the Fair was postponed. Indian companies will attend the next fair in larger numbers. India’s chemical sector is also renowned around the world. The chemical industry in India is valued at over US$163 billion and accounts for approximately 3.4% of the global chemical industry. India ranks sixth in the world in this sector. India is a largely diversified economy that has many other sectors to offer. For example, the Indian automotive industry is the world’s fourth largest. With the country being the fourth largest manufacturer of cars and the seventh largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles, India’s auto component industry has emerged as a robust and high-quality sector, with more Indian firms winning the prestigious Deming Prize for Quality than any other country. India has one of the largest electronics markets in the world and this industry is expected to grow by US$400 billion by 2025. Furthermore, the consumer electronics and appliances industry in India is expected to become the fifth largest in the world by 2025. India’s digital revolution and the Government’s focus on

and high-end capital-intensive products at the other. The textiles and apparel industries in India have strengths across the entire value chain, in products such as fibre, yarn and fabric to apparel. With textile exports standing at US$20.5 billion, apparel exports at US$16.1 billion and handwoven products at US$3.8 billion, India has become the world’s second largest manufacturer and exporter. India is a global powerhouse when it comes to the Information Technology (IT) sector. India’s IT industry has over 1,000 global delivery centres spread across 80 countries worldwide. The revenue of India’s IT and Business Process Management industry is estimated at US$191 billion and is poised to reach US$350 billion by 2025. India has made significant strides in the digital space and innovations, and has now diversified its offer using the latest technology and leading ideas in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain.

The tourism sector also offers plenty when it comes to cooperation between India and Serbia. With Serbia offering visa-free entry for short visits by Indians and India offering e-Visa to Serbians, movements between the two countries have become much easier. As many as 23 million Indian tourists visit foreign countries for tourism and leisure per year, spending US$23 billion on these trips. Serbia can gain much by attracting Indian tourists to the country.

• The Embassy of India in Belgrade marked the day of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme during November. Around 160 professionals from Serbia have attended courses to acquire various

skills under this programme since 2008.

What are plans like for the period ahead?

- India’s ITEC programme offers a broad spectrum of 300 training courses of different durations at India’s premier training institutes. This began in 1964 and over 160 friendly foreign countries are among India’s ITEC partners. Serbia has been an ITEC partner country since 2008. A hundred and sixty mid-level career professionals from Serbia have undergone courses on a wide and diverse range of skills and disciplines, including in ICT, Expenditure Management, Entrepreneurship, WTO, Banking & Finance, Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Legislative Drafting, Yoga, English proficiency etc. Due to the cancellation of international flights, restrictions on movements and gatherings, the threat of infection spreading from country to country etc., no Serbian was able to travel to India to attend ITEC training programme courses in 2020. In fact, ITEC training courses have gone online, like

out of India’s firm opposition to interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

Indian leaders have stated this publicly on many occasions. I am aware that Serbia is currently engaged in discussions aimed at solving the Kosovo issue.

• While announcing a major stimulus package to fight the economic impact of COVID-19, India took the initiative to boost manufacturing in India. Can you please share the details of this initiative aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing?

-This is India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, or Self-reliant India campaign, the vision of a new India envisaged by PM Modi. It was on 12th May 2020 that he announced the special economic and comprehensive package of INR 20 trillion - equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP - to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

The aim is to make the country and its citizens independent and self-reliant in all senses. He further outlined five pillars of Aatma Nirbhar

Indian exports to Serbia of pharmaceutical and chemical products, including active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), have increased from a value of US$ 16.772 million in JanuarySeptember 2019 to US$ 23.992 million during the JanuarySeptember 2020 period, representing an increase of 43% many universities that are offering courses in this way. However, this is only a temporary development. As soon as restrictions on movements and gatherings are lifted, ITEC courses will begin with renewed vigour, and Serbians are welcome to visit India again under this programme.

• Your country received thanks for its support in preserving the territorial integrity of Serbia during the recent meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković.

Has the Government of India ever considered accepting calls emanating from certain world capitals that encourage countries that have not yet recognised the independence of Kosovo to change their position?

- On the issue of Kosovo, India has a principled stance of supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. The consistent position that India has taken is borne

Bharat: economy (quantum jumps, not incremental changes); infrastructure (representing the modern India); systems (technology-driven systems); demography (vibrant demography of the world’s largest democracy); and demand (full utilisation of the power of demand & supply). The Government implemented several bold reforms, such as Supply Chain Reforms for Agriculture, Rational Tax Systems, Simple & Clear Laws, Capable Human Resource and a Strong Financial System. As many as ten champion sectors have been identified for production-linked incentives in order to boost the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing and provide a significant boost to economic growth and domestic employment.

These sectors are (i) Advancing Cell Chemistry Battery (ii) Electronic/Technology Products (iii) Automobiles & Auto Components (iv) Pharmaceutical Drugs (v)Telecommunications & Networking Products (vi) Textile Products

(vii) Food Products (viii) Solar PV Modules (ix) White Goods, including LED and Acs; and (x) Speciality Steel.

• India has a very strong agriculture sector and it has undertaken some important legislative measures to reform the agricultural sector.

What are these reforms and how are they going to help farmers?

- In September 2020, India enacted two new farm laws for agriculture and amended another relating to Essential agri-food stuffs. The first farm law offers farmers the choice to sell their produce outside of the regulated system for marketing agricultural produce within the State. The second law is an improved version of the Contract Farming Law that removes the complicated system of registration/licensing, deposits and various other compliance orders required for contract farming in various states.

It intends to insulate interested farmers, especially small farmers, against market and price risks so that they can opt for the cultivation of high-value crops without worrying about the market and low prices in the harvest season. This Act also has safeguards against the transfer, sale, lease and mortgage of the land or premises of the farmer. The third Act lays downtransparentcriteriatoregulatethesupply of essential commodities under extraordinary circumstances.This removes the arbitrariness in invoking the Act. These measures fulfil the long-standing demand for reforms in India’s agriculture sector. The reforms have farmers’ income at the centre of their agenda. They will enable farmers to connect to markets all over the country. Farmers no longer need to pay a large number of market fees, taxes and charges on their produce.This will improve their returns. Better price discovery mechanisms for farmerswillalsoleadtobetterremunerationfor their produce. As such, these reforms provide farmers with new options for marketing their produce and also give them legal protection for actions that were previously deemed illegal.

Furthermore, these reforms are expected to boost investment in the agriculture sector, through better backward linkages, assured prices and contracts for farm services. They will incentivise private sector investments across the entire cold chain, reducing post harvest losses and ensuring better prices for farmers.

December

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

By Mudit Narayan

THE JOINT EFFORT

The recent technological advancements in India reflect not only the immense youthful energy and innovation in the country, but also substantial reforms undertaken by governments, and enabling platforms created by public-private partnerships. Here are some recent developments based on coordination among public and private sectors

I

ndia’s innovation ecosystem has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years.

It is currently ranked third in the world, with more than 50,000 startups and more than 500 incubators estimated around the country. More than just numbers, it is the astoundingly wide range of new services, products and technologies deployed by startups that attest to the strength of the country’s ecosystem. These innovation have directly or indirectly re-envisioned the future for a variety of sectors like financial transactions, shopping and retail, urban transport and office commute, and many more.

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SECURING FINANCE For thousands of years of recorded history to date, money was seen only in the form of currencynotesandcoins,ofvarioussizes,materials, shapes and colours. Over the recent years, the

speed of transformation in the financial sphere has seen exponential growth.Take for example instruments such as cheques and bank drafts that only appeared in the last few decades and have already become almost obsolete.

Only feeling scared of COVID-19 will not help. We have to take the right precautions and fight this pandemic. Aarogya Setu is an important step in that direction. By leveraging technology, it provides important information. As more and more people use it, it’s effectiveness will increase.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

The Public-Private Partnership model shall be the bedrock of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, taking Indian science, technology and innovation to new heights

In India, it is common these days to pay for our daily essentials like phones and TV, our commute, or even a cup of our favourite ice cream by scanning a QR code or entering an email address-like string called the VPA. More than a billion transactions a month are carried out on UPI. It is foreseeable that within a few generations, all currency notes and coins would be visible only in museums or history books. Digital technologies such as smartphones and online connectivity have enabled changes in how money manifests itself. Transfer of money from the consumers’ wallet to the vendor’s bank account is enabled by a system called the Universal Payment Interface or UPI.

This UPI system is enabled and administered by the National Payments Corporation of India Ltd, a public private partnership of all of India’s banks. This payment layer can connect every bank account in the country to every other, through a simple virtual payment address (VPA) that looks like an email address, or the aforementioned QR codes. The very design of the UPI made space for private innovation and therefore its success has been driven by a plethora of private companies building interface layers or transaction apps for consumers to use the system seamlessly and as a matter of habit and preference over currency.

What defines power and determines national standing is no longer the same. Technology, connectivity and trade are at the heart of new contestations.

The relevance of our talent to global technology is another factor, one likely to grow in time.

Our ability to shoulder greater responsibilities at a time when the world is more reticent is also evident.

Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs minister December

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

FUTURISTIC HEALTH In recent weeks and months, India’s fight against the global pandemic of COVID-19 was significantly strengthened by a tracking and tracing app called AarogyaSetu (Aarogya meaning a state free of disease and Setu meaning a bridge), designed quickly and promptly by a collaborative team comprising of professionals from NITI Aayog, Ministry of Information Technology, and India’s top startups. This app established a record of rapid adoption, racing to 50 million users in just 13 days, allowing Indian citizens to keep abreast of COVID-19 in their locality or region, and also access other services.

Similarly, a massive effort is underway to establish the Indian National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which will provide a personal health ID to each citizen, connecting each to the medical system, while ensuring portability, privacy, fraud prevention, and grievance redressal. NDHM will have the IT backbone and governing rules, but the interface layers will be provided by the private sector, bringing in innovation, user-customisation, and lowering of costs for consumers.

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VISIONARY APPROACH UPI and Aarogya Setu are just two of several examples of how the public and innovation systems have come together for changing lives of Indian citizens. Many more such changes can be expected in coming months and years. In the month of July 2020, a new public-private collaboration, called the Open Credit Enablement Network (OECN) was also launched. It will enable easier credit for Indian consumers, and will allow lenders and marketplaces to create innovative products for financial credit at a large scale. This will be done through a common platform utilising a shared language base and ushering in uniformity. As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s groundbreaking reforms under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to make India self-reliant, the Indian space sector has been reformed and restructured, to enable participation of the private sector and startups in this exciting new frontier that combines science, technology and innovation. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is focussing on new research or new missions, while private entities will take the onus of providing

ONE STOP SOLUTION UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is envisaged to make e-governance ‘mobile first’. It is developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD).

Through the UMANG App, over 1000 services can be accessed across Central (284) and State (441) governments. Over 275 utility services can also be accessed from over 140 government departments.

Recently, new services like ICMR, Public Transport, Oil and Gas, Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) and Agricultural support to farmers have also been added.

EASE OF ACCESS Passport Seva Project, being executed by Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, aims at providing all the Passport-related services to the Indian Citizens in a speedy, convenient and transparent manner.

The mPassportSeva App is one of the largest projects under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) and is being jointly supported byTata Consultancy Services (TCS) following a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The app, already in service, is being used to cater to Indian citizens across the country through over 75 Passport Seva Kendras.

space-based services at reasonable cost and maximum efficiency. This reform will attract Indian innovators to and its public applications.

In all these sectors, the common underlying theme has been visionary reforms and enabling support from the government or public sectors, upon which the entrepreneurs of India have built products and services. This model shall be the bedrock of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and take Indian science, technology and innovation to new heights.

Mudit Narain is currently an OSD in the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Govt of India. He holds two masters degrees in engineering and public policy from MIT. He served in the Energy practice of World Bank for 7 years, working on projects across 9 countries before joining NITI Aayog to establish the Atal Innovation Mission.

December

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TOURISM

THE AMAZING BEAUTY OF INDIA As the seventh largest country in the world in terms of territory and second largest in terms of population, India expands over an area of six climate zones, with each more beautiful than the last and all of them breathtaking.

With a rich history, culture, impressive buildings, religions and spirituality, but also the beauty of its landscapes – from the snowcapped Himalayan valleys and green rainforests, to golden beaches bordered by palm trees – this country is one of the world's most attractive and exotic destinations to visit.

The UNESCO listed monument of Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi after heavy showers during the monsoon season 10

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Some of the most picturesque train journeys in India are on the iconic Konkan Railway that runs across the Western Ghats, a mountain range parallel to India’s western coast. During monsoon, the fresh green vistas here are stunning December

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TOURISM

The beautiful tea plantations across the quaint resort town of Ooty in Tamil Nadu. The serene hill station is particularly beautiful during the monsoon season

A tiger enjoys the cool environs on a rainy day during the monsoon season in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan 12

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