The Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to collaborate in protecting the rights and best interests of children, particularly concerning safety in the digital environment.
This agreement establishes a framework for the continuous implementation of activities aimed at improving conditions for child safety and preventing violence against and among children. Additionally, the cooperation includes enhancing the operations of the Net Patrol platform, established by the Center, which focuses on removing harmful content from the internet.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has recognized the Center’s commitment to introducing a public alert system for specific cases of child disappearance. The Center will be involved in the implementation of this system in Serbia.
As emphasized by Minister Gašić, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is deeply committed to all areas of child safety. He added that the only way to guide children in the right direction is to engage with them, work with them, address all their questions and concerns, and, above all, show them that we are always there for them and that they can trust us.
“Children are not aware of all the dangers that the modern world presents. They are not aware of or familiar with the dark side of the digital world and its potential consequences. That is why we are here, to engage in informing them and teaching them how to protect themselves. The Ministry of Internal Affairs possesses the capacity, knowledge, willingness, and persistence,” stated Minister Gašić, emphasizing that this memorandum is another example of how the Ministry strongly supports all activities aimed at ensuring the peaceful and happy life of every child, particularly regarding their safety.
Igor Jurić, President of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, emphasized that the signing of this memorandum represents the formalization and institutionalization of collaboration with the highest state authority, without which the Center would not be able to carry out and implement its projects related to the safety and protection of our children.
“Minister Gašić, from the very beginning of his tenure, has shown immense understanding and provided generous support from day one to all projects crucial for the safe development of our youngest. This agreement opens new opportunities for our organization as it entails receiving generous support from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in all aspects of our work,” Jurić stated, adding that this agreement will provide the Center with additional credibility in its work with international institutions.
Jurić also took the opportunity to thank his team, which has significantly grown since the transition from the Foundation to the Center.
“I must thank my team, who has made incredible efforts to achieve the signing of this Memorandum. Thank you for standing by me and for choosing every day to contribute to positive change in society,” he said.
