Belgrade hosts traditional humanitarian gathering

BELGRADE The first day of the New Year in Svetogorska St. in downtown Belgrade saw the traditional event, "The Open Heart Street". The event began at noon, and was dedicated to B92 Fund's humanitarian campaign "Battle for the Babies". Belgrade hosts traditional humanitarian gathering Under the slogan "The Open Heart Street Beats for Babies", the sale of souvenirs was also organized, while stands were set up to collect donations for the purchase of CTG units used for measuring the heart rate in newborns. The national number one task is for Serbia to have more children, according to Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, who declared the event open on Tuesday. "We need more children otherwise Serbia will wither away. In Serbia every year 70,000 babies are born and 110,000 people die, which means that we are 40,000 fewer each year," he said. Dacic pointed out that the state, in order to encourage higher birthrates, must reintroduce child bonuses and abolish duties on equipment and food for babies. "I pledge on behalf of the government that we will help. It is the national number one task - that Serbia has many more children," said he. The prime minister also wished a happy new year to those gathered, as did Director of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade Dejan Veselinov, Director of Atelier 212 Theater Ivana Dimic, President of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Milan Jankovic, and Belgrade City Assembly President Aleksandar Antic, who wished everyone health, happiness, and success. Antic also stated that it was important that everyone in the society understood the importance of encouraging a higher birthrate policy, and added that Belgrade did many important things in this regard. "These measures cost some EUR 10mn a year, but produce results. In 2012 more than 20,000 babies were born, which is a small town. I believe that there will be even more in 2013." President of the B92 Fund Veran Matic also addressed the participants to say that the fund in its previous campaign managed to resolve the issue of incubators, and that this year's action was aimed at equipping Belgrade maternity wards. Matic invited all participants to show humanitarianism and contribute to the purchase of the 55 CTG devices. "Belgrade is different from other cities in that its citizens are in the streets already on January 1, which sends a message of peace and prosperity. I wish for your Belgrade to still be beautiful, smiling and a good host," he said. The Belgrade Chamber of Commerce was once again the host of the traditional New Year charity lunch at the SerbianTavern, where each January 1 guests are served by Atelier 212 actors. (B92) B92 Beta

Belgrade hosts traditional humanitarian gathering

Under the slogan "The Open Heart Street Beats for Babies", the sale of souvenirs was also organized, while stands were set up to collect donations for the purchase of CTG units used for measuring the heart rate in newborns.

The national number one task is for Serbia to have more children, according to Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, who declared the event open on Tuesday.

"We need more children otherwise Serbia will wither away. In Serbia every year 70,000 babies are born and 110,000 people die, which means that we are 40,000 fewer each year," he said.

Dačić pointed out that the state, in order to encourage higher birthrates, must reintroduce child bonuses and abolish duties on equipment and food for babies.

"I pledge on behalf of the government that we will help. It is the national number one task - that Serbia has many more children," said he.

The prime minister also wished a happy new year to those gathered, as did Director of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade Dejan Veselinov, Director of Atelier 212 Theater Ivana Dimić, President of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Milan Janković, and Belgrade City Assembly President Aleksandar Antić, who wished everyone health, happiness, and success.

Antić also stated that it was important that everyone in the society understood the importance of encouraging a higher birthrate policy, and added that Belgrade did many important things in this regard.

"These measures cost some EUR 10mn a year, but produce results. In 2012 more than 20,000 babies were born, which is a small town. I believe that there will be even more in 2013."

President of the B92 Fund Veran Matić also addressed the participants to say that the fund in its previous campaign managed to resolve the issue of incubators, and that this year's action was aimed at equipping Belgrade maternity wards.

Matić invited all participants to show humanitarianism and contribute to the purchase of the 55 CTG devices.

"Belgrade is different from other cities in that its citizens are in the streets already on January 1, which sends a message of peace and prosperity. I wish for your Belgrade to still be beautiful, smiling and a good host," he said.

The Belgrade Chamber of Commerce was once again the host of the traditional New Year charity lunch at the SerbianTavern, where each January 1 guests are served by Atelier 212 actors.