Observance on the occasion of establishing the 'Privrednik' Foundation

On 27 September 2018, an observance marking the beginning of activities of the 'Privrednik Republika Srpska' Charity Foundation, aimed at providing financial support to underprivileged talented students over the course of their education, was held on the premises of the Banski dvor cultural centre in the city of Banja Luka.

Mr Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska, pointed out that the Cabinet of the President was going to provide funds for this charity in the following year, enabling 100 underprivileged talented children to pursue their education.

'The establishing of the Foundation is of enormous significance for our society, since we must create conditions for all children to get access to proper education. In every aspect of life we must strive to show the unity of the Serbian people', said Mr Dodik.

He also said that the branches of the Foundation from Serbia, Croatia, and the Republic of Srpska must act under one umbrella organisation, inviting companies and other donors to support this enterprise.

Mr Nikola Selakovic, envoy of the President of Serbia, underlined the necessity of such a foundation for future generations, since talented children and students must be taken care of.

'This is an opportunity for benefactors from our society to be inscribed on the golden pages of our history', added Mr Selakovic.

Mr Djordje Milicevic, Vice-Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia), stated that the Foundation was supported by companies and institutions.     'I am thrilled at the fact that a branch of the Foundation is established in the Republic of Srpska as well. The education of our children is a cause that must unite us'.

He added that the genuine act of patriotism is helping young people gain knowledge and skills necessary for taking over leading roles in society in the future', said Mr Milicevic.

In his address, Mr Goran Racic, Chairman of the Banja Luka branch of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska and Chairman of the Foundation in the Republic of Srpska, emphasised that the support was not limited only to the period of schooling, but that it extended to finding employment as well.

Prof. Jova Radic, PhD, Chairman of the 'Privrednik' Foundation from Novi Sad (Vojvodina, Serbia), reminded the present of the fact that the Foundation had been established in 1993 with transparent criteria for granting funds to talented children.  

There are around 150 scholarships annually, with more than 2,000 granted since 1993', added Prof. Radic.

The observance was attended by the ministers of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Vice-Rectors and members of the Senate of the University of Banja Luka, Mr Vladimir Nikolic, Consul General  of the Republic of Serbia in Banja Luka, Prof. Rajko Kuzmanovic, PhD, academician, Chairman of the Academy of Arts and Science of the Republic of Srpska, Mr Borko Djuric and Ms Dragica Ristic, Chairman and Director of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska respectively, and representatives of public and social circles of Banja Luka and Republic of Srpska.

Prior to the observance, President Dodik held a meeting with the delegation from Vojvodina.

The 'Privrednik Republika Srpska' Charity Foundation is the result of joint efforts of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, the Banja Luka branch of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, the Academy of Arts and Science of the Republic of Srpska, the University of Banja Luka, and the University of Istocno Sarajevo.  

The following is the list of members of the Initiative Board: Prof. Rajko Kuzmanovic, PhD, Chairman of the Academy of Arts and Science of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Stevo Pasalic, PhD, Rector of the University of Istocno Sarajevo, Mr Borko Djuric, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, and Mr Goran Racic, Chairman of the Banja Luka branch of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, also Chairman of the Foundation.

The 'Privrednik' Serbian company is one of the largest existing endowments of the recent history, founded by Mr Vladimir Matijevic.