After four year smartly spent at raising awareness on the topics of equal opportunities, Monica Carlsson (Norrbotten-SE) passed on the baton to Ana Tomanova Makanova (Vojvodina-SR) who was unanimously elected by the General Assembly on 1 December as the new AER Vice-President for Equal Opportunities and Inclusion:
Equal opportunities and inclusion has been an important topic at AER for many years and I am honored to take over this important portfolio and thank the AER members for trusting me with such a crucial issue. I have been closely following the work of my predecessors, especially Ms. Monica Carlsson and look forward to furthering the cause she and all others before her have so passionately fortified.
The region of Vojvodina is particularly well placed to speak on behalf of regions in the matter of equal opportunities and inclusion as we have extended experience in this field. We have 6 official languages in use, we have 26 national minorities in Vojvodina, we have specially designed Strategies for the Roma inclusion, women in politics are equally represented as men and hold high decision making positions, we have 20 National Councils of national minorities, our regional broadcasting network has a program in 10 languages, …
My region has been an active member of the network since 2002, hosting numerous events and taking part in different programs and activities. We confirm our full engagement by taking part of the Bureau and now the Executive Board of the organisation.
Equal opportunities should be area where equal opportunities are leading value. My activities will address the strengthening respect of the human rights, democracy, and role of law; empowerment of women in business sector, especially in rural areas; and structuring common base for combating discrimination in today’s Europe.
Looking forward to our fruitful cooperation in future within the AER network.
Ana Tomanova Makanova
AER Vice-President Equal Opportunities and Inclusion
Contact for the Vice-President on :
Sanja Šifliš
+381 21 487 44 31