CER and VERMONT at the commemoration of the Day of Persons with Disabilities

Representatives of the Centre for Education and Research (CER) and the Vermont Youth Centre attended the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, organised by the KOLOSI Coalition.

Boris Cvjetković, chair of the “Kolos” coalition in Bijeljina, said on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that they want to be full-fledged members of the community, not a burden on society.

At a press conference in Bijeljina, Cvjetković said that the coalition brings together 12 non-governmental organizations and around 3.000 people with various disabilities, and emphasized that they want and are able to use their remaining abilities for their own benefit and for the benefit of the community.

Milorad Jović, technical secretary of Kolosi, said that representatives of all non-governmental organisations bringing together people with disabilities had prepared a draft local action plan on disability and called on Bijeljina city councillors to support its adoption.

According to him, the plan identifies raising awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities, accessibility, education, and strengthening the organisation of all associations representing people with disabilities as priorities for the next three years. Jović noted that, in this way, “Kolosi” wants to enable people with disabilities and their associations to access European funds by participating in various projects financed by the international community.

In a discussion with representatives of “Kolos,” CER Director Mladen Dokić expressed his willingness for CER to support the coalition’s work in the coming period and to jointly take part in writing and implementing new projects.

Slavko Bašić, Head of Social Affairs in the Bijeljina City Administration, praised the work of Kolosi and said that around 20.000 KM is allocated from the city budget each year to this coalition of non-governmental organisations through various projects. Bašić announced that at one of its upcoming sessions, the City Assembly would declare Kolosi an association of special interest to the city, enabling it to receive more stable funding from the local budget. After speaking to the media, the Kolosi coalition hosted a reception for its members and guests at the Cultural Centre.