IRIS network

EU Accession in the Western Balkans — but how does it feel in real life?
Part 3: People and rights

⚖️ Human rights
Laws exist — but they are not always applied.
Discrimination still affects women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people.
Equal rights remain a challenge across the region.

🔄 What needs to change
Stronger focus on:
• Education
• Decent jobs
• Healthcare
• Social protection

Because people must come first.

📣 Call to action
Governments and the EU must:
• Listen to citizens
• Work closely with civil society

EU integration can only succeed if it improves lives — not just legislation.

Today, we opened the conference on “The Social Dimension of Western Balkans EU Approximation” with a high-level opening plenary session featuring distinguished speakers – including Damir Gutić, Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography of Montenegro, and Anđela Ivanović, Head of Cabinet at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue.

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At the IRIS Conference “The Social Dimension of EU Integration”, taking place on 20 November in Podgorica, two key sessions will be held:

• Session 1 — Co-Creating Policy:
Civil Society’s Role in Shaping Priorities
&
• Session 2 — Building Bridges:
Inclusion and Integration of the Most Vulnerable Through Partnerships

IRIS Network continues to build bridges of cooperation among organizations that support social inclusion across the Western Balkans.

📍Podgorica, Montenegro

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