CONSUL BOŽOVIĆ AT INNOVATION DAY IN PHILADELPHIA: Connecting diplomacy, science and business!

The Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York and President of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, Dr. Vladimir Božović, participated in the “Innovation Day — Philadelphia, America’s First City of Innovation” program, at the invitation of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, Business PA — Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

The program brought together members of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, of which Consul General Božović is also a member, as well as ambassadors, consuls general, and representatives of business, scientific, and healthcare institutions. The visit was dedicated to exploring Philadelphia’s innovation potential and opening up opportunities for international cooperation.

Participants gathered at the renowned Union League club in Philadelphia, from where the delegation visited the headquarters of Urban Outfitters at the Navy Yard complex. During the initial plenary meeting, discussions were held with company representatives about global sourcing, product development, creative ideas, and innovation.

This was followed by a visit to Ghost Robotics, also located at the Navy Yard complex, focusing on modern robotics technologies and their applications. A working lunch was held with international physicians and researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia — the first children’s hospital in the United States — and Penn Medicine, during which innovative achievements in medicine and scientific research were presented.

The professional part of the visit concluded with a tour of the GRASP Laboratory at the PERCH research center, within Penn Engineering, where activities in robotics, automation, sensing, and perception were presented, along with opportunities for research and institutional cooperation.

At the opening plenary meeting, Ambassador Dr. Vladimir Božović addressed those present:

“Good morning, everyone.

I am Ambassador Vladimir Božović, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York and President of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York. Since the beginning of my presidency, I have placed business networking and economic diplomacy at the center of our work.

Today, I am also here on behalf of our society, which brings together representatives of countries whose colleagues are also with us today, such as Greece and Mexico. Dear Krista, I would like to extend my warm greetings and express my great appreciation for your outstanding work and commitment to the Consular Corps of Philadelphia.

I would also like to extend my highest praise to our hosts. I see this place as a space for ideas and the realization of a great vision. I would particularly like to recognize our oldest host in this room, whose vision is truly remarkable.

That is precisely why I would like to share a few words about Serbia. We recently held elections, and I sincerely believe that Serbia is bringing a new idea to Europe today. The student movement represents a fresh political idea in a European landscape that, I would say, is rather short on new political ideas.

I want to connect the new student leadership and the young people who will lead my country with you and create opportunities for cooperation.

Two years ago, my country was struck by a terrible tragedy. A canopy collapsed at a reconstructed railway station, killing 16 innocent people. Corruption was the cause: the reconstruction was carried out by a state-owned company and a Chinese company, without public procurement procedures, transparency, or proper oversight of the expenditure of public funds.

The tragedy caused profound grief and sparked a public reaction. Students launched protests, demanding accountability, a genuine fight against corruption and organized crime, the normal functioning of institutions, and the rule of law.

Like a large number of people in Serbia, I expressed my deep sympathy and support for the young people and their demands.

The students decided to persevere. They showed Europe, America, and the entire world how young people can fight for their convictions without large budgets, financial and international support, or media coverage.

For two years, they persevered across Serbia, facing attacks, violence, arrests, and numerous pressures and injustices.

The Serbian people recognized this. In the elections on October 25, the student movement — a movement, not a political party — achieved a major victory. The student electoral list won 140 of the 250 parliamentary seats, securing a convincing parliamentary majority. This list will provide Serbia’s new leadership.

The student movement and the student electoral list represent a new brand of Serbia, one that should be introduced first and foremost here in Philadelphia, then in New York, Washington, and Chicago, as well as in other centers across America, Europe, and around the world. I hope that their international representation, together with strategic dialogue with the United States, will be among the priorities of the new foreign minister and the diplomatic service of Serbia’s new government.

I felt it was important to share this with you precisely in a place that brings together ideas and business opportunities. As Serbia’s Consul General, I wanted to inform you about developments in my country and the prospects opening up for future cooperation.”

The Consulate General will continue to promote connections between Serbia and the institutions and companies in this region, as well as cooperation with the Serbian community, with the aim of strengthening economic, scientific, and cultural ties.

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