Charity dinner raises EUR 65,000 for babies

BELGRADE The first donor gathering in support of the Battle of Maternity Wards campaign was held on Monday evening at the Hyatt Hotel's Crystal Hall. The American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham) and the B92 Fund, with the initiative of Microsoft, the support of IT representatives and the Ministry of Health, organized a dinner at which contracts were signed donating EUR 65,000 to the campaign. Charity dinner raises EUR 65,000 for babies HP, Saga, Intel, Oracle, OSA Computer Engineering, SBS, ComTrade, Aigo BS and eSmart Systems all gathered to support the buying of 35 CTG machines for 15 maternity hospitals in Serbia. "Being a business leader involves primarily the responsibility, commitment and willingness to participate in the process of identifying and promoting common values, the creation of a vision of a better society and actively contribute to transform this vision into reality," said Maja Piscevic, director of executive office of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, and added: "We must not forget that the crisis of morality is far more dangerous and deadly than the economic crisis and that is why more than ever it has become necessary to raise the level of awareness of personal, corporate and social responsibility to help and care for those who need help, regardless of which group they belong . In other words, while fighting for economic goals, we must not under any circumstances ignore social goals." On this occasion, Milos Djurkovic, director of HP in Serbia and AmCham president, said: "Beside involvement in successful business projects HP is constantly engaged in projects of special importance to the community. For the past ten years, HP donated computer equipment, worth over one million and three hundred thousand dollar, to educational and health institutions in Serbia." On behalf of the Ministry of Health, donors and organizers were thanked by Minister Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic. "In 2010 there were 24.5 percent of settlements where not a single baby was born. Simply put, there is no doubt what our priorities are," she said. Microsoft, who initiated the donor gathering, and its representatives represent the idea that information technology industry has a heavy responsibility and enables economic growth, which is not possible without a new generation. "There was no need to arrange and organize ourselves especially, and therefore we are delighted that we are all here today as representatives of IT companies in Serbia," said Jugoslav Piric, director of Microsoft Serbia. Borko Kovacevic, director of marketing for Microsoft for the Balkans said that Microsoft as a leader in software development and other IT companies that are leaders in their fields together, by their personal example, bear a great responsibility in promoting corporate social responsibility. "The IT industry provides economic and civilizational growth, but it is not possible without a new generation and it is our duty to raise this generation," said Kovacevic. So far, the campaigns Battle for the Babies and Battle for Maternity Wards have had businessman Milan Popovic as their biggest donor. "I just felt at one point that it's my time to turn to humanitarian activity in a way that is most suitable for me, and that is to invest the money that I was able to earn the last 20 years in the business," he said . The B92 Fund realizes this campaign with numerous messages about social responsibility of companies and individuals, as well as pointing out the urgency of solving particular problems. Therefore, the Board of Director of the B92 Fund Veran Matic addressed the audience by quoting David Charter, who wrote in the Times: "There is one country in the Balkans, bordering with itself, where live the most beautiful women and the birth rate is falling, the unemployed work the most, where the most fertile land is inhabited by people who mostly are starving." Matic said that this initiative had evolved from Microsoft's Synergy event. "That word is just the best explanation of how we have been doing the Fund's campaigns so far. We tried to produce a synergy of those in need with those who have and want to help, those who represent the institutions of the system with those who can improve the system, we have created a synergy between individuals, non-governmental organizations, companies, sports organizations, educational institutions and various associations in the great community that is able to solve problems that otherwise could not be solved. Connecting the IT industry to the community in this way will surely bring good results as a successful model for future similar actions," he said. With the help of donations from IT leaders some of the funds have been aquired for the purchase of equipment that listens to the pulse of life and prevents the emerging threats that can jeopardize a baby's health. The Battle for Maternity Wards is a continuation of the Battle for the Babies launched in 2012 by the B92 Fund, and which due to its outstanding success earned the status of the most successful humanitarian event ever in Serbia. The aim of the campaign is to provide all maternity hospitals in Serbia with funds for the purchase of equipment necessary for the provision of support for newborns, especially equipment for resuscitation, as well as equipment for respiratory support and monitoring at Neonatal Intensive Care Units. (B92) B92

Charity dinner raises EUR 65,000 for babies

HP, Saga, Intel, Oracle, OSA Computer Engineering, SBS, ComTrade, Aigo BS and eSmart Systems all gathered to support the buying of 35 CTG machines for 15 maternity hospitals in Serbia.

"Being a business leader involves primarily the responsibility, commitment and willingness to participate in the process of identifying and promoting common values, the creation of a vision of a better society and actively contribute to transform this vision into reality," said Maja Piščević, director of executive office of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, and added:

"We must not forget that the crisis of morality is far more dangerous and deadly than the economic crisis and that is why more than ever it has become necessary to raise the level of awareness of personal, corporate and social responsibility to help and care for those who need help, regardless of which group they belong . In other words, while fighting for economic goals, we must not under any circumstances ignore social goals."

On this occasion, Miloš Đurković, director of HP in Serbia and AmCham president, said: "Beside involvement in successful business projects HP is constantly engaged in projects of special importance to the community. For the past ten years, HP donated computer equipment, worth over one million and three hundred thousand dollar, to educational and health institutions in Serbia."

On behalf of the Ministry of Health, donors and organizers were thanked by Minister Slavica Đukić-Dejanović.

"In 2010 there were 24.5 percent of settlements where not a single baby was born. Simply put, there is no doubt what our priorities are," she said.

Microsoft, who initiated the donor gathering, and its representatives represent the idea that information technology industry has a heavy responsibility and enables economic growth, which is not possible without a new generation.

"There was no need to arrange and organize ourselves especially, and therefore we are delighted that we are all here today as representatives of IT companies in Serbia," said Jugoslav Pirić, director of Microsoft Serbia.

Borko Kovačević, director of marketing for Microsoft for the Balkans said that Microsoft as a leader in software development and other IT companies that are leaders in their fields together, by their personal example, bear a great responsibility in promoting corporate social responsibility.

"The IT industry provides economic and civilizational growth, but it is not possible without a new generation and it is our duty to raise this generation," said Kovačević.

So far, the campaigns Battle for the Babies and Battle for Maternity Wards have had businessman Milan Popović as their biggest donor.

"I just felt at one point that it's my time to turn to humanitarian activity in a way that is most suitable for me, and that is to invest the money that I was able to earn the last 20 years in the business," he said .

The B92 Fund realizes this campaign with numerous messages about social responsibility of companies and individuals, as well as pointing out the urgency of solving particular problems. Therefore, the Board of Director of the B92 Fund Veran Matić addressed the audience by quoting David Charter, who wrote in the Times: "There is one country in the Balkans, bordering with itself, where live the most beautiful women and the birth rate is falling, the unemployed work the most, where the most fertile land is inhabited by people who mostly are starving."

Matić said that this initiative had evolved from Microsoft's Synergy event.

"That word is just the best explanation of how we have been doing the Fund's campaigns so far. We tried to produce a synergy of those in need with those who have and want to help, those who represent the institutions of the system with those who can improve the system, we have created a synergy between individuals, non-governmental organizations, companies, sports organizations, educational institutions and various associations in the great community that is able to solve problems that otherwise could not be solved. Connecting the IT industry to the community in this way will surely bring good results as a successful model for future similar actions," he said.

With the help of donations from IT leaders some of the funds have been aquired for the purchase of equipment that listens to the pulse of life and prevents the emerging threats that can jeopardize a baby's health.

The Battle for Maternity Wards is a continuation of the Battle for the Babies launched in 2012 by the B92 Fund, and which due to its outstanding success earned the status of the most successful humanitarian event ever in Serbia. The aim of the campaign is to provide all maternity hospitals in Serbia with funds for the purchase of equipment necessary for the provision of support for newborns, especially equipment for resuscitation, as well as equipment for respiratory support and monitoring at Neonatal Intensive Care Units.