"Our goal is to analyze whether each activity achieves the best for children, youth, the elderly, the labor market, and to take measures to optimize investments in social support at the highest level," specified Ivanka Shalapatova.

Completing the reform of deinstitutionalization in childcare, developing a National Map of Social Services and ensuring more effective support for the most needy, and developing policies for economic activation of the inactive with a focus on youth and people with disabilities. These were part of the priorities that the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova presented.

She added that she knows the work of MLSP both as a long-term partner on the part of the civil sector and the research community, and from the inside as a deputy minister in the caretaker cabinet in 2013.

“I am grateful for the efforts of all colleagues in the social system. I highly appreciate your work and respect every attempt to help a child in need, a young person who has lost direction in life, a family who cannot cope with their parental responsibilities, or an adult who needs support,” said Ivanka Shalapatova.