Within the framework of numerous events marking Europe Day, when doors of institutions are traditionally opened, and different activities and meetings organized, devoted to peace and solidarity among European countries, an exceptionally large “delegation” of 126 Vukovar children, accompanied by 14 teachers, visited the Museum of Diplomacy, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, at the Doors Open Day. After the visit by “Vuk Karadzic” Elementary School of Kraljevo, under the programme “When I grow up, I will be a diplomat”, this is the first and most massive organized visit of children from the region.
Assistant Foreign Minister Aca Jovanovic welcomed the children, drawing attention to this year’s 72nd anniversary of ending World War II by victory over fascism, and the 67th anniversary of launching the initiative for the founding of today’s European Union, after the destructions and plight of the WWII, underlining that children are an adornment and hope for a better world.
Wishing them a worry-free and a happy childhood, he emphasized that the two important events in European history are particularly significant as a milestone in the relations of European countries, opening the road to creating a community of nations in the continent where both world wars started. Assistant Minister Jovanovic wished them to grow up with European values and the heritage of human civilization, including children’s and human rights. Drawing attention to this year’s UNICEF 70th anniversary, he announced that, in early autumn, the Museum of Diplomacy will organize a public lecture on children’s rights, and a UNICEF Exhibition, which they will be invited also to attend, and which is being prepared by the Director of UNICEF Office in Belgrade, Michel Saint Lot, immediate descendent of legendary Ambassador of Haiti Emile Saint Lot, who presented the Universal Declaration on Human Rights to the UN General Assembly, on 10 December 1948.
At the conclusion of their visit, before departure, the children designed messages with their wishes for Minister Ivica Dacic, on the occasion of Europe Day, which will be framed and exhibited in the Museum of Diplomacy, while Ambassador Dr. Ljiljana Niksic awarded them gifts donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including picture books “Cyrillic Alphabet Heroes” and “A Purple Story of Lilac Days” about Helen of Anjou and Uros Nemanjic, followed by gifts provided by the Institute for Textbooks, and the Tourist Organization of Belgrade.