News
HOW TO RECONCILE DATA SECRECY WITH THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Secret data, business secrets, and professional secrets as a possible basis for restricting the right to access information of public importance is the title of the education, we organized on May 29 in the premises of the Palace Hotel in Belgrade. This topic attracted the attention of a significant number of participants, people who respond to citizens' requests daily and are faced with doubts every day - how to harmonize the right of access to information with the limitations of the data secrecy law.
The introductory lecturer and moderator of the education was Marinko Radić, a B.Sc. lawyer, with several decades of professional experience in the position of General Secretary of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Protection of Personal Data, now retired. He gave a general perspective on the importance of the law on citizens' right to access information held by public authorities, which is part of a broader picture of respect for inalienable human rights and freedoms. That is why limiting this right, in order not to endanger another right, is a complex operation and requires careful consideration. The guest lecturer was Slavoljupka Pavlović, B.Sc. lawyer, currently in the position of acting assistant to the Secretary General in the service of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Protection of Personal Data. Using examples from practice, she gave answers to many questions and doubts. The case studies were a challenge for all participants who took an active part in the application of these regulations on concrete and real cases.
RISK MANAGEMENT
During April and May 2024, workshops were held with the employees of the Company "Railway Infrastructure of Serbia" a.d. with the aim of raising capacity for responsible management and strengthening the risk management system. This important segment is part of the overall system of Financial Management and Control and a legal obligation of all users of public funds. At the organized workshops, all the forms and documentation that follow the correct application of this system were harmonized with the current regulations, but the necessary educations were also carried out and professional help was provided in empowering the employees for further improvement of the system. The result of which we are particularly proud is the response of the employees, their active participation in the workshops, but also the high level of motivation and engagement of the employees of this company so that the risk management processes are raised to a higher level and fully implemented.
HOW TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION?
A one-day education on the topic "Protection of personal data in access to information of public importance", held on April 18th, 2024 at the Palace Hotel in Belgrade, attracted a considerable number of participants dealing with these topics from various levels of public authorities. Since it is the right of the public to have an insight into all the information that public authorities have at their disposal, the law regulates the obligation of public authorities to share all information of public importance. On the other hand, the Law on the Protection of Personal Data protects the individual's right to freedom and privacy, so doubts arise every day in practice - what is and what is not data that can be publicly accessed without jeopardizing the individual's rights?
Lecturer and education moderator Marinko Radić, B.Sc. a lawyer with decades of professional experience in the field of personal data protection and information of public importance in the position of Secretary General of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Protection of Personal Data clarified to those present all the confusion surrounding the application of these regulations, and the participants had the opportunity get the necessary guidelines for the correct application of regulations in specific cases from their professional practice.
RESPONDING TO VIOLENCE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US
"Victimization by violence and first psychosocial aid" was the name of the one-day education, held on March 12th, 2024, at the Palace Hotel in Belgrade, intended for persons responsible for implementing regulations and acting in the prevention and sanctioning of violence at the national and local levels of government, non-governmental organizations, formal and informal groups for support, education and strengthening the fight against violence.
The topic of violence concerns every individual in society, the forms of violence are different and we often do not recognize them and do not confront them until extreme and difficult-to-control circumstances occur. There is an institutionalized system of prevention and control, a system of victim protection, but without the participation of all of us, it is impossible to prevent and sanction this socially dangerous behavior.
The lecturer was Prof. Dr. Milica Bošković, a full professor of the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security and the College of Social Work, with scientific and research experience in social pathology, violence against women, victimology, and human trafficking. By their participation in the conversation, all those present contributed to the achievement of the goal of this event - awareness that it concerns us all.
GENDER EQUALITY IS A PREREQUISITE FOR CREATING A PROSPEROUS SOCIETY
"Gender equality - importance, challenges, and perspectives", was the topic of a one-day education, held at Hotel Palas, Belgrade, Serbia on February 20th, 2024. Although the field of gender equality in the broadest sense is regulated by law, it is necessary to constantly improve and remind all participants in public life of the importance of gender equality in building a harmonious and advanced society at all levels. All policy measures, planning acts, institutional framework, and supervision over the implementation of laws, which enable and obligate gender equality to be understood as an obligation to create equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in all areas of social life, are insufficient, if we do not gain a clear awareness of the importance of gender equality, as well as the readiness to recognize all anomalies in practice. The education was primarily intended for everyone responsible for the implementation and application of regulations in public authorities, persons who are in non-governmental organizations, and formal and informal groups for support, education, and empowerment of the fight for gender equality.
Guest lecturer was master lawyer Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Republic of Serbia, elected for a second term in this position in 2020.
Introduction and moderator of the education was prof. Dr. Milica Bošković, a full professor of the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security and the College of Social Work, with scientific and research experience in social pathology, violence against women, victimology, and human trafficking.
By actively participating in the conversation, all those present contributed to a comprehensive understanding of this topic.
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT
In the period from July to December 2023 in the joint-stock company "Infrastruktura železnice Srbije" a.d. Belgrade has successfully implemented a functional method for fast, efficient and legally prescribed reconciliation of documentation with regulations in the field of financial management and control. The exceptional involvement of the Working Group for the FUK and a large number of employees in this company demonstrated responsible management in the use of public funds and the management of the Company. It was a great honor and pleasure for us to be part of this process and to have the opportunity to provide expert support to the Company's efforts to identify, describe and implement the most important business processes intended for both the management of the Company and the management of the public railway infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia.
STORIES ABOUT NIKOLA TESLA
In mid-October 2023, premiere screenings of the film "Wireless - stories about Nikola Tesla" were held in New York, Washington DC and Chicago, organized by Omni Group Business Solution d.o.o. Belgrade and ICS LLC USA. The feature-documentary film Wireless presents the life and work of one of the most intriguing inventors in history, Nikola Tesla. Analyzing the most important details from the life of Nikola Tesla, the film seeks an answer to the question of what wealth actually is and whether man is a being of matter or a being of spirit. Telling the story of one of the world's greatest minds of all time, the film prompts us to question our own value systems and find the immortal within us. The film Wireless is the author's work of the Nikola Tesla Museum from Belgrade, the most visited museum in Serbia. The screenplay for the film Wireless was written by Dr. Branimir Jovanović, the author of the book of the same name, and Jelena Paligorić Sinkević, while the direction and executive production is signed by the production company Sajko Media&Events from Belgrade.
STATE AT THE SERVICE OF CITIZENS
After a little more than two years, in March 2023, the project financed by the World Bank" Analysis of Transforming Services for Citizens" was successfully completed, by Omni Group Business Solution d.o.o. Belgrade, together with its Joint Venture partner "Naučne aplikacije" d.o.o. Belgrade. In this project Omni Group Business Solution and Naučne Aplikacije were applied an advanced methodology for the identification, analysis and transformation of administrative procedures for citizens. The goal of this extensive project, within which more than 2,000 administrative procedures for citizens and more than 300 Registers of the Republic of Serbia were analyzed, was the prioritization of services that the state can effectively and digitally, after transformation, provide to citizens. During the implementation of the project, more than 50 administrative procedures, proposed changes in regulations and functional technical characteristics for the future digitization of services were optimized. We are proud of the results and the fact that we had the opportunity to be part of the great digital transformation of the Republic of Serbia.
MOBILE APPLICATIONS - A NEW WAY OF LIFE
During February 2023, a survey was conducted on the use of mobile applications in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Through an online survey, respondents had the opportunity to answer questions about which mobile applications they use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Analysis of the collected data found that social networks and communication applications such as Viber, WhatsUp, etc. represent a daily routine, while applications for electronic banking (online payment), games and music applications are used on average once a week. Respondents stated that they order food via mobile applications at least once a month, while taxi and fitness applications were singled out as the least used applications.
SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL IN PRACTICE
At the beginning of December 2022, workshops were held at the Public Company "Serbian Railways Infrastructure” in Belgrade with the aim of improving the financial management and control system. Purpose of the workshops was to provide professional support to all sectors and centers in the organizational implementation of activities in this field. They are part of the Project implemented by "Omni Group Business Solution" d.o.o. within this Company, and follow the initiative of the Working Group "Serbian Railways Infrastructure" for a better understanding of the various topics that together form the framework of this system. Key points related to the implementation of an adequate system of financial management and control in practice are adequate segmentation of business processes, management responsibility, i.e. creation of maps of business processes and procedures, recognition of risks and establishment of the Risk Register. Basic features of the financial management and control system that should and must be established by all organizations, that is, users of public funds, were presented. The workshop participants had the opportunity to train themselves for adequate application and improvement of the system through direct work with consultants.
We would like to thank the "Serbian Railways Infrastructure", for recognizing our knowledge, great experience and selfless work on the implementation of key provisions of public interest, and, also to the employees of this company due to the high attendance of the workshops and the response of all sectors and centers of this company.
OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE
Digital age introduces new rules of behavior and life. For some people, it is an age of simplified performance of daily life duties. For others, it's a complete change in the way they're used to living. In the Republic of Serbia, more than half of the population is over 60 years old, so it was interesting for us to research how and in what way they use digital tools and whether they have begun to adapt to the new electronic environment. The key conclusions of the research, which was conducted during October 2022, indicated that there is significant resistance to changes brought about by electronic services. Members of this generation rarely use online payment or online shopping services. Some of the reasons are certainly the absence of digital literacy, but there are also numerous other sociological phenomena. For members of this generation, especially those who have been retired for many years, paying bills or shopping is a social activity, not a daily activity. For them, it is a reason to be active and maintain any social interactions. Therefore, they perceive the pressure to switch to a digital way of life as pressure and coercion to stay in "their four walls". Important recommendation of this research relates primarily to the way of communication towards this important and large group of the population, which should show the possibility of choice, not a limitation. Understanding that they have the choice to fulfill their obligations in an easier way when they want to, will contribute to reducing the resistance to changes, to begin with, try to get involved in the digital society and become an integral part of it.
4.0 FEST
On September 30, 2022, the 4.0 FEST was held in Belgrade, which discussed the digitalization of the private and public sector, the future occupations and necessary knowledge and skills we need to adapt to the ongoing changes as citizens and entrepreneurs. Our company had the honor of being invited as one of the panelists to present our opinion and professional experiences in this field. We would like to thank the organizers for the opportunity and realization of an extremely important and useful event.
MY FAVORITE JOB
During October 2022, it conducted an online survey of a representative sample of young people in Republic of Serbia in order to analyze the new requirements of the labor market. Respondents had the opportunity to express their opinion in a short questionnaire, with the provided answers, about what is important to them when employed, as well as how they see their career development. We share some of the most interesting findings with you.
SUSTAINABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable Professional Development program (SPD), organized by ICS Education, for the first time this year, is being held on the online platform of the educational center. The program was created as a result of labor market analysis and identification of real market needs. It is designed to guide students through all the steps necessary to train and strengthen their professional capacities. It begins with the acquisition of advanced personal skills and continues through the acquisition of all the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term career success. Program lasts 7 months, with established rules for acquiring the right to a certificate. The program starts on November 1, 2021. You can get a detailed program by inquiring at the center’s email: office@icsworldgroup.com.
10 YEARS OF SUPPORT TO NEW GENERATION LEADERS
This year marks ten years that, through personal and professional development programs, every year, in cooperation with the international company Link Group d.o.o., we’ve been providing full support to the leaders of the new generation for the adoption of transferable skills. Personal Development Program organized by Link Group d.o.o. has been attended by more than 8,000 students so far, who have successfully acquired the skills of self-confidence, self-motivation, critical, logical and creative thinking, participated in team assignments, mastered techniques of judgment and reasoning, developed communication skills, social and emotional intelligence. Advanced way of implementing the program, through traditional and online classes, has enabled participants from across the region to activate all their capacities through examples and exercises, simply and quickly. We want to thank Link Group d.o.o. on the exceptional opportunity and support, allowing us to share our knowledge and experiences with the leaders of the new generation through the creation and implementation of this program.
NEW LEVEL OF EDUCATION
At the beginning of this year, ISC Education established new policies and procedures for attending educations aimed at introducing a modern system of non-formal education. Years of research and analyses of our educational center have established foundations for prioritizing the structure of knowledge and skills necessary for the full empowerment of the labor market. New approach to the acquisition of knowledge and skills also refers to the models of practical exercises, which provide participants with a full insight into the real situations they will encounter. Conducted analyses singled out the exact areas and critical points that impede the development of entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs, managers, employers and employees, as well as all the change management models that need to be applied in order to successfully overcome these challenges. Thanks to that, investing in non-formal education is no longer an uncertain investment.
NEW AT OUR EDUCATIONAL CENTER
New times bring new challenges. Therefore, at our educational center, in cooperation with the ConSpirit educational center, we have established online education, intended to provide easy and fast access to education, both in the field of skills and in the interpretation of legal regulations, as well as management support in the public and private sector. Through our programs, participants will have the opportunity to receive the same quality of training as through our traditionally organized education, in an easy and comfortable manner. We are looking forward to a new challenge that will contribute to the availability of education to everyone and at all times. Follow our new topics and training date announcements on our Facebook and Linkedin pages, Instagram and Youtube channel.
NEW ICS LLC PUBLICATIONS
From May 2020, two more new ICS LLC electronic publications are on sale. Both publications are intended for professional and personal development. The first book "This is me!" is intended for self-assessment and as support in the professional orientation of teenagers. This useful book is intended for both adolescents and their parents and offers useful tools for overcoming the challenges they face together. Our second book is a guide for developing the Personal Brand "I don't want to be okay". This book is intended for all those who want to develop and emphasize their own authenticity and define their own brand, but also for those who want to identify their own purpose and sources of self power. Both books in Serbo-Croatian can be ordered through the official email office@icsworldgroup.com at the price of 480 RSD. English editions will be available soon.
OUR LITTLE/GREAT JUBILEE
On Friday, May 29, 2020, we held the 25th online training in the last three months, on the topic of Personal Brand. This training was successfully attended by more than 760 participants from all over the region. We thank our new friends from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia on the opportunity to grow and improve together. We are proud of our success and the opportunity to share successful examples with those who want to improve and be more successful!
ICS WEBINAR
On April 16, 2020, our office in Washington DC, USA, held an interesting and educational webinar on "Challenges of digitalization in the public sector", which brought together numerous experts in the field of digitalization. This webinar dealt with topics that are important for improving the work of the public sector through the digitalization of services provided by the public sector to citizens, as well as new technologies that are applied in these processes. A special aspect included the sustainability of existing systems and digital security, which is becoming a global issue of digitalization. Participants of this webinar had the opportunity to get acquainted with new technologies, but also to actively participate in the discussion and get answers to all their dilemmas.
ICS VISITS THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
In order to establish cooperation with the Republic of Angola in the field of investment, exchange of know how in public administration reform and IT technologies, representatives of ICS and FEMAC visited the Republic of Angola from December 10th to December 22th, 2019, during which they had very important and meaningful meetings with government representatives. Both sides showed great interest in establishing future cooperation, and plans for the first projects in 2020 have been made. During the visit, Memorandums of Intent were signed for the planned projects. We thank our hosts from the Republic of Angola and look forward to future joint results.
HISTORY AS A MESSAGE
At the invitation of the Srb National Federation from Pittsburgh (USA), the Representative Office of the Republika Srpska in the Washington DS and the National and University Library of the Republika Srpska, we were honored to attend and support the exhibition and lecture on the Anatomy of Oblivion held in Washington DC on November 21th, 2019. This important lecture was about the suffering of civilians and children in the Jasenovac camp during World War II. We thank the hosts for their exceptional reception and the opportunity to participate in this event.
ICS VISITS THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
In order to establish cooperation with the Republic of Angola in the field of investment, exchange of experience in public administration reform and IT technologies, ICS representatives had the honor to personally meet His Excellency Ambassador of the Republic of Angola in Serbia Mr. Emilio José de CARVALHO GUERRA and the Defense Attache Colonel Adão Eduardo da Silva. We thank the Embassy of the Republic of Angola for the exceptional reception and the opportunity to co-create excellent results in the future.
DATA PROTECTION LAW IN PRACTICE
ICS Education Center, in cooperation with ConSpirit Belgrade, organized a one-day education in the field of implementation of the Personal Data Protection Law in practice. The education was held on November 5th, 2019 at the “Palas” Hotel in Belgrade and brought together a significant number of public administration and private sector representatives. The aim of this education was to acquaint the participants with practical examples of the implementation of this Law in practice, as well as to be able to apply it independently in their institutions and companies.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
At the II Autumn Education organized by Bizkon Belgrade held in Tara (Serbia) from 06.10 to 09.10.2019. we had opportunity to give a lecture to the Social Protection Institutions of an advanced methodological approach in change management and reforms implementations. The Management by Facts Model was presented at the interactive workshop. This model is one of the most advanced models for the implementation of public sector reforms around the world, which is also applicable in the Republic of Serbia's reform processes. The participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the tools of this model, but also to get additional explanations regarding the ways of its application.
ICS LECTURES IN MUNICIPALITY OF CUKARICA
The municipality of Cukarica organized training for agricultural holdings in its premises between August the 28 and August the 30, 2019. The aim of these trainings was to provide educational information and workshops in order to increase the agricultural development capacities of this city municipality. The ICS lecturers were responsible for three very useful topics in the field of applying for grants, forming business plan and modern plant protection methodologies, and the participants had the opportunity to had practical experience, through interactive workshops.
ICS AT THE SEMINAR FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES IN THE ORGANIZATION OF “REFORMATOR” BELGRADE
Center for Education, Investments and Sustainable Development “Reformator” Belgrade, on 18th-21st July 2019 (Kopaonik, Serbia), held a noteworthy and visited education in the field of concept, framework and principles of introducing corporate governance into public companies in the Republic of Serbia. Within this training, ICS has held two distinguished lectures on organizational skills and team management.
These two transversal skills were recognized as crucial to the more active implementation of corporate governance in public companies, and lectures on these topics were of a workshop type. The participants had the opportunity, on concrete examples, to adopt the skills of personal and corporate organization, team spirit development and team management, self-motivation and team motivation, as well as to adopt tools for integrating corporate goals within corporate governance.
ICS SUPPORTS FAMILY BUSINESS
As part of the financial consulting and management program, ICS is active in supporting family business ventures. We strongly believe that success is the product of great effort, but also a strong desire to change and develop. For this reason, all those who want to grow their business in the long terms, will become part of our networking, which aims to develop family businesses and support in raising production, sales and development capacities.
One such project is the Troy Winery from Montenegro, which grows from a family business into an internationally developed business. The efforts made by these hardworking people in the previous period have been rewarded with our full support for their steady growth. Together, we will create the conditions for this family production to be transferred to the fourth generation of the Ujkic family.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
At the 4th Conference for Development of Public Sector held in Kladovo (Serbia) from April 14th to 17th, 2019, ICS LLC representatives gave several lectures on skills development in the public sector. Through the interactions with the trainees, our lecturers presented, through practical examples, the advanced skills necessary for development of this sector. In front of over 200 representatives from public sector, we talked about communication with difficult interviewees, methodological approaches in overcoming work challenges and personal retention activities.
INVESTMENTS IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SABLC (Serbian American Business Leadership Council) in associate with FEMAC LLC and ICS LLC Washington DC (USA) organized several meetings and presentations of by Serbian experts in that field sustainable energy sources and exploitation of geothermal sources in front of US and Canadian investors. On the meetings, in the May 2018, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and identify interests for future investment in this area. We thank the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Washington DC for his support of this important event.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey, ICS LLC representatives hosted one of the world's largest business events, MUSIAD EXPO, held from November 21th to 24th, 2018 in Istanbul (Turkey). On this occasion, our representatives had the opportunity to meet leading investors from various fields from the territory of the Republic of Turkey, as well as to participate in panels and discussions on international cooperation topics.
AMERICAN INVESTORS IN SERBIA
SABLC (Serbian American Business Leadership Council) in associate with Embassy of Republic Serbia in Washington DC, FEMAC LLC and ICS LLC Washington DC (USA) organized a visit of US investors to the Republic of Serbia in order to establish scientific and investment cooperation. The most important investors of the state of Maryland from the USA from October 16th to 20th, 2017 had the opportunity to meet with the officials of the Republic of Serbia and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and present the latest environmental achievements, as well as offer their support for the implementation of projects from this area.
