Caravan "digital expedition" goes on a journey through Serbia

August 21, 2021

Belgrade, August 21, 2021 - At the initiative of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, a caravan of digital skills, literacy and security "Digital Expedition" was launched. The caravan is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, and the Office for IT and eGovernment, in partnership with the MIPS program jointly implemented by USAID and Propulsion and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

At the event on the Republic Square in Belgrade, the gathered citizens had the opportunity to get acquainted with the key digital skills of the 21st century: how to get specific information online, how to exercise their right or fulfil an obligation in online communication with the state administration, and how to provide a safe digital experience for themselves and their children. In addition, through workshops with lecturers and conversations with influencers, the basics of digital literacy and security topics were presented.

During the next four months, the caravan will visit 15 more cities in Serbia: Prijepolje, Vrsac, Sabac, Smederevo, Krusevac, Kraljevo, Cacak, Uzice, Subotica, Aleksinac, Nis, Vranje, Pirot, Raska, Novi Pazar. As in Belgrade, citizens will be introduced to electronic public services available on the eGovernment website, the principles of electronic commerce and the basics of safe use of social networks and other benefits of digital space.

The event was attended by Tatjana Matic, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications who stated on that occasion: Digital skills are important, not just for everyday communication and personal development of every citizen of Serbia, but also for the development of digital business and entrepreneurship and overall economic growth. Digital entrepreneurship is the basis of the digital economy, and it is essential that everyone gets a chance to take advantage of the new opportunities of the digital age. We know that the IT sector is currently the most prosperous in Serbia, but we should especially keep in mind that small and medium enterprises make it strong. Although these companies make just over a fifth of the total number of IT companies, they account for as much as two thirds of the entire business activity of the domestic IT sector in terms of income, employees, capital and profit."

Prof. Dr. Darija Kisić Tepavčević, Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs stated: also addressed the audience and pointed out that Serbia has done a lot in the field of digitalization. "Thanks to the visions of President Aleksandar Vučić and the efforts of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, citizens now have the opportunity to complete certain obligations, which previously required much more time and waiting in lines, in just a few clicks. We realized how important digital literacy is during the Covid 19 pandemic, when we worked from home, were isolated due to illness, and our elderly had to be separated from their loved ones in order to preserve their health. They showed responsibility and readiness to accept technological innovations in conditions when they were isolated due to the virus, using modern technical equipment to communicate with their loved ones. Through this project, a special focus will be on digital literacy of the elderly, which includes training in gerontology centers and homes for the elderly," added Kisić Tepavčević.

The caravan is intended for all citizens, from young people who are exposed to digital content from birth, to the digitally skilful generation Z and their parents, to citizens for whom digital resources are insufficiently known or available.

You can find more information on the website digitalnaekspedicija.gov.rs.