.:The 22nd annual general meeting and conference of Victim Support Europe:.

The 22nd annual general meeting and conference of Victim Support Europe was hosted and organized by the Victimology Society of Serbia from May 28th to Jun 1st, 2008. This conference assembled more than 80 experts who have worked in victim support organizations or support victims in other manners ---> . The title of the conference was „Taking the Victims Agenda Forward“. The Conference was held at the hotel M in Belgrade.

The opening ceremony took place on May 28th, 2008. from 18.00 to 20.00 in Belgrade’s City Hall , Dragoslava Jovanovića 2.

The Program of the opening ceremony was:

18:00 - 18.45 The conference was opened by:
Mr Jaap Smit, President of Victim Support Europe
Anthony Pahigian, Deputy Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia
Mr Rodoljub Šabić, The commissioner for Information of Public Importance
Mrs Vesna Nikolić-Ristanović, director of the Victimology Society of Serbia

18.45 Music performance by KUD Lola 

The opening ceremony was attended by guests of the conference, the ambassador of Croatia MR. Tonči Stanišić, representatives of the Belgian and German Embassies in Belgrade, and members and associates of the Victimology Society of Serbia. This event was accompanied by journalists of National TV, RTS, B92 Television and TANJUG national news agency of the Republic of Serbia. --->

The topics of the conference were: Research concerning victims of stalking and domestic violence and its applications in practice, supporting victims of trafficking in people, children and young people - the links between violent victimization and offence, supporting victims of terrorism, help lines, fundraising, restorative justice and victim support, development of Victim Support Europe and Putting the Victim’s Agenda on the EU’s Agenda. --->;

The annual general meeting and conference of Victim Support Europe takes place every year in a different European city. In the last few years it has been hosted in Budapest, Bratislava, Amsterdam, Helsinki,etc. The next conference will be in 2009 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Victim Support Europe (http://www.euvictimservices.org) is a network of non-governmental organizations that provides community and court based services for victims of crime. Founded in 1990 by all the national organizations in Europe working with victims of crime, the Forum exists to promote the development of victim services throughout Europe and the promotion of policies for victims both in the context of criminal justice and in the wider social environment. Victim Support Europe is in consultative status with the Council of Europe and the UN.

Victim Support Europe exists to:
 Promote the development of effective services for victims of crime throughout Europe
 Promote fair and equal compensation for victims of crime throughout Europe, regardless of the nationality of the victim concerned
 Promote the rights of victims of crime in Europe in their involvement in the criminal justice system and with other agencies
 Exchange experience and information between member organizations to share best practices and knowledge.

Victim Support Europe now has twenty three national organizations in twenty European countries, including Russia who became a member at the conference in Belgrade, reflecting the growing recognition across Europe of the needs and rights of victims of crime ---> . Members of Victim Support Europe have developed support, information and advocacy services to victims, using the skills of trained volunteers and staff. In addition, members are committed to the encouragement and support of all new initiatives throughout Europe.

The Victimology Society of Serbia became a member of Victim Support Europe in 2004. Only four years later, the Victimology Society of Serbia had the opportunity and honor of hosting and organizing this prestigious conference for the first time in Belgrade and in Serbia. The Victimology Society of Serbia is a unique member of this organization from the area of ex Yugoslavia.

The conference was completed successfully in relations to the topics, organization and social events. Guest comments were very positive.  ---> .