On Tuesday, 19 May 2015, with the beginning at 10 a.m., in the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad, the first day of conference ‘Creative Economy and Development 2021’ was held. The conference initiated with the topic ‘Culture as the Initiator of Economic Development’, which was discussed by the Member of the City Council in charge of Economy Goran Sečujski, Desanka Jovičić from Service for Local Economic Development of the Municipality of Beočin, Milica Vračarić from the Regional Agency for Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Ivanka Tasić from the ‘Panakomp’ tourist agency.

The conference was officially opened by the Chairman of the Organisation Board ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Dr Andrej Fajgelj, who touched upon the problem of insufficient awareness of citizens when it comes to the project. Mr Fajgelj said that the candidacy of Novi Sad also brings social-economic development of the city, and it includes much larger field than the culture itself. – This is why this is the project in which everyone should participate, with a goal to improve the project. The only and the biggest winner must be Novi Sad – said Mr Fajgelj.

The primary goal of the project is solidarity with efforts of the city Novi Sad to win the title of the European Capital of Culture in 2021. Apart from this, the conference posed many questions, but also gave answers to many interesting and intriguing questions relating to the candidacy and its importance. The speakers at the conference stated that the progress and modernisation of society can be achieved only through joint effort.

The view of the entire event was also commented by the Member of the CIty Council in charge for economy, Mr Goran Sečujski, who recognised the importance of this conference, as well as efforts invested into the promotion of the event. He believes that investing in culture is always positively reflected in the sphere of economy, as well as that culture creates the positive image for the city.