The Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government opened the CSR Serbia 2025 conference with a message that responsibility must be a cornerstone of both the private and public sectors
At the CSR Serbia 2025 conference, held on May 20 at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the event was formally opened by Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snežana Paunović. Organised by Colour Media Events and Diplomacy & Commerce magazine, the gathering brought together leaders from the business community, public sector, and civil society to highlight the importance of corporate social responsibility in today’s society.
In her keynote address, the Minister emphasised that responsibility towards the community must be the foundation of all sustainable development, both in the private and public sectors.
“It is both an honour and a pleasure to open a conference dedicated to a topic that is gaining relevance each day – not only in the business sphere but also within our social and institutional lives,” Paunović stated.
She underlined that in the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, which she leads, social responsibility is not merely a formality, but a deeply rooted value and an integral part of everything they do. She stressed that institutions, particularly the public administration, must lead by example when it comes to acting responsibly towards citizens.
The Minister noted that a key strategic goal of the Ministry is to build an efficient, transparent, and reliable public administration—one that truly serves its citizens. To that end, significant efforts have been made in recent years to digitise public services, simplify procedures, and reduce administrative burdens.
In the Ministry I lead, social responsibility is not merely a formality – it is a deeply rooted value and a fundamental part of everything we do
Services such as eGovernment and eTaxes have enabled faster, more straightforward, and more transparent communication between citizens, businesses, and the state. That is social responsibility in practice – tangible, measurable, and directly beneficial to daily life,” said Paunović.
One of the Ministry’s top priorities is to strengthen the capacities of local self-governments across Serbia. The goal is for every municipality to become a model of good governance – transparent, accountable, and proactively engaged in sustainable development processes. Paunović placed particular emphasis on the importance of involving diverse social groups in the work of public administration.
“We want everyone to be actively included in institutional processes – women, young people, persons with disabilities, and members of national minorities. That is the only path towards more inclusive, fairer, and more accountable governance.”
The Minister emphasised that social responsibility must become an integral part of corporate culture, business regulation, and public policy. It is not a passing trend or a collection of isolated initiatives, but a lasting commitment for all of us.
Speaking about the foundations of responsible business conduct, Paunović stated that its core must be the human being. “At the heart of everything must be the worker. No strategy, no business plan can be truly sustainable if it does not rest on the respect for fundamental human and labour rights.”
She placed particular emphasis on fair working conditions, decent wages, workplace safety, and equality, describing them as the essential pillars of all responsible business conduct.
“Companies that invest in the well-being of their employees, uphold workers’ rights, contribute to local communities, and respect environmental standards are the ones that deserve recognition, support, and to be held up as examples of best practice,” the Minister concluded.
In this context, the Minister welcomed the existence of awards such as the “Đorđe Vajfert” prize, stating that such honours are not merely symbols of prestige but a powerful incentive for companies striving to operate responsibly and sustainably.
I believe that together we can and must continue developing a system in which social responsibility is the rule, not the exception
“The ‘Đorđe Vajfert’ award motivates companies to uphold high business standards, to care for their employees, their communities, and the environment. It sends a clear message – that responsibility, ethics, and sustainability are recognised and valued.”
In closing, Minister Paunović expressed her belief that only through joint efforts, by fostering cooperation between the state, the business sector, and civil society, can we build an environment where responsibility, sustainability, and care for people form the foundation of every successful policy and business endeavour.
“I believe that together we can and must continue developing a system in which social responsibility is the rule, not the exception,” she concluded.