Directors welcome speech

Dear friends,

I am proud that the idea of ​​community between people who unite developed mutual relations, professional commitment, spheres of interest, and first of all the need to help the local community and beyond by affirming the acquired knowledge, was realized through the registration and public promotion of the International Center for Economics and Public Policy - ICEPP. Within it, we will deal with issues of economy and public policies in the sense of their research and providing solutions for their improvement at the level of the local community, the republic and the region. An additional aspiration is that the International Center for Economics and Public Policies deals with the impact of regional and global events on the development of the economy and the improvement of public policies in the Republic of Serbia.
Our goal is to direct the knowledge and experience gained so far, as well as those that we will achieve through upgrading, to solving social problems, towards the development of society, and to further invest the achieved results in conditions for the stimulation of further progress in the spheres of economy, public policies, as well as other areas of wider social interest.

Balanced regional development is considered as a fundamental aspect of sustainable economic growth and development for any nation. The Republic of Serbia experienced significant transition processes after 2000, with a key focus on the implementation of balanced regional development policies. Although progress has been made in this area, challenges remain as there is potential for further improvement within the existing regulatory framework and through the implementation of new ideas.
City of Niš, once known for its expertise in the fields of electronics and mechanical engineering, experienced a period of stagnation and partial decline in the level of development achieved in the 1990s. However, in recent years, the city has shown signs of economic recovery and stability, with employment rates and overall living standards improving. This positive trend can be attributed to both national economic policies and local development strategies. Niš is now considered an attractive location for domestic and foreign investors, and this fact alone is a paradigm of our involvement in providing assistance and creating conditions for continued development.
The economic development of the city of Niš, as well as other cities and districts in southern Serbia and the wider region, can be influenced by various comparative advantages such as favorable geographical location, climate, the presence of a university, science and technology park, a network of institutions that support economic growth, infrastructure including roads, airports and railways and the availability of resources for economic development. In order to solve regional disparities and improve the business environment, it is crucial to implement regional and local economic policies that capitalize on these advantages and promote an economy based on knowledge and innovation, leading to long-term competitiveness and sustainable development.

In order to achieve the goals stipulated by the normative acts of the Association, we decided to use the opportunities provided by public policies.
Public policy does not have a single definition despite the large number of studies dealing with this topic. Its meaning refers to a series of activities that are carried out in order to solve certain social problems.
Several disciplines engage in study of public policies from different angles. Political science is interested in the political processes in which public policies are created and in which they are implemented. Sociology is interested in the activities of interest groups that participate in the process of creating public policies. Public administration is interested in the implementation of public policies and the possibility of improving that phase of the process...

The main goals of the International Center for Economics and Public Policy in the field of public policy will be focused on:
- creation of economic and entrepreneurial policies on objective scientific bases, with an emphasis on connecting economic subjects in the region,
- advocating market solutions for the challenges in the reform process faced by the citizens of the Republic of Serbia,
- deepening public interest in foreign policy issues,
- strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to participate in shaping, implementing, improving and monitoring public policies.

The presentation of the International Center for Economy and Public Policy coincided with the great Orthodox holiday of the Holy Venerable Fathers Cyril and Methodius. In this regard, the example of their enlightenment, perseverance, transfer of knowledge and energy in the development of the Christian idea, philanthropy and human prosperity will be our guiding star, obligation and incentive to develop on these principles and find the benefit of the wider community by affirming our own capacities and sincere faith in achieving goals.

With respect,
Assistant professor, dr Vladimir Lović