Magdalena Rakovec, Author at CEP

Young Bled Strategic Forum 2024 applications open

17. 5. 2024 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Young BSF

We are happy to announce that the Young Bled Strategic Forum 2024 (Young BSF 2024) applications are open!

Young Bled Strategic Forum is a unique meeting place for young leaders, offering them a platform to share their visions, exchange ideas and network with other exceptional young individuals from all over the world. Each year, it attracts a group of about 40 young leaders from diverse backgrounds and engages them in interactive discussions on pressing challenges and addresses inventive approaches to developing creative solutions. Young Bled Strategic Forum is an inseparable part of Bled Strategic Forum, the leading conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

If you are between 18 and 35 years old and committed to bringing positive change within society (you can be a student, young academic, NGO representative, activist, politician, engineer, young member of public administration or governmental institution, athlete, member of international organisation, entrepreneur, or anything else) you are eligible to apply. You can apply here for Young BSF by 2 June 2024 23:59.

This year, the Young Bled Strategic Forum will take place under the title Restoring Common Ground. It will take place between 30 August and 1 September 2024 in Pokljuka, Slovenia. The participants will then participate at the 19th Bled Strategic Forum on 2 and 3 September in Bled. Young Bled Strategic Forum participants will explore the factors that contribute to the divergence of realities and what can be done to bring these realities closer together to restore common ground from which meaningful social action can emerge.

For more information on the content of the conference and the format of the conference you can refer to the concept note and the website.

Discussion on improving Europe’s competitiveness

16. 4. 2024 | PR, Transformative Power of Digital

It’s been a week since CEP, in collaboration with the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), hosted a discussion in Brussels focusing on improving the EU’s competitiveness. During this event, we officially unveiled our latest publication titled: “Improving Europe’s Competitiveness: Role of Open Markets, Emerging Technologies, and Strategic Alliances”.

At the discussion the speakers engaged in an in-depth discussion on improving the EU’s competitiveness, covering various aspects of the topic. Among the things they discussed was the consideration of adjustments needed to the EU AI Act, while acknowledging the complexities of negotiating regulations for swiftly evolving technologies at the EU level. In this context, they grappled with the challenge of striking a balance between regulations for protection and flexible frameworks to stimulate innovation.

They underscored the need for further integration of the EU’s Single Market as the engine for improving EU’s competitiveness. They emphasized the importance of fostering transatlantic cooperation and collaborating with like-minded partners to bolster the EU’s standing in the global arena. They also explored strategies for tapping into the digital transformation potential of the CEE region, recognizing it as a valuable opportunity for enhancing competitiveness.

Many thanks again to the speakers for and engaging and insightful discussion!

Matthias Bauer, Director, European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)
David Brozina, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of Slovenia to the EU
Guido Lobrano, Senior Vice President of Policy, Director General for Europe, The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Karen Massin, Head Government Affairs and Public Policy – EU Institutions, Google
Alexandre Roure, Head of Policy and Deputy Head of Office, CCIA Europe

For more on the topic, make sure to read the latest CEP publication here.

Improving EU’s competitiveness

26. 3. 2024 | PR, Transformative Power of Digital

The Centre for European Perspective is launching a new publication, “Improving Europe’s Competitiveness: Role of Open Markets, Emerging Technologies, and Strategic Alliances,” which explores the critical role of AI and emerging technologies in bolstering the EU’s competitiveness.

The publication will be officially launched following a breakfast discussion organised in cooperation with the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE).

The breakfast discussion will take place on Monday, 8th April 2024 at 09:00, at the Palace of the Academies, Rubens Hall.

Registration for the breakfast discussion is now open. You are kindly invited to join us. Please register here.

The publication and the breakfast discussion explore how can the EU increase its competitiveness by taking advantage of emerging technologies, open markets and strategic alliances.

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark wake-up call, emphasising the urgent need for the EU to improve its resilience against crises. Two years later, with the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the focus of the EU shifted towards urgent improvements to EU’s security. Now, as we stand on the brink of a new era dominated by Artificial Intelligence, our focus is shifting towards enhancing the EU’s competitiveness.

AI and other emerging technologies have the power to accelerate economic growth and reshape industries in profound and unprecedented ways. If the EU is to be a global economic powerhouse, it will have to wholeheartedly embrace the vast potential of AI. The EU’s commitment to embracing AI and other emerging technologies will have to be reflected in substantial investments in research and development, a forward-thinking regulatory environment that fosters innovation while ensuring ethical standards as well as safe and trustworthy technology, and a robust infrastructure that supports the growth of AI technologies and their implementation.

At the discussion and in the event, we will tackle the following question: Is the EU prepared and capable of taking full advantage of the opportunities that the AI revolution is offering? What is holding the EU back, and what are its strengths that can be tapped into? What is the role of open markets in improving Europe’s competitiveness? Developing trustworthy and safe AI demands a collaborative global effort–how and when should the EU engage with international partners to maintain its competitive edge?

Bled Strategic Forum team at CEP is looking for reinforcements!

27. 11. 2023 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR

CEP is looking for a dynamic and resourceful individual willing to join Bled Strategic Forum team and contribute to the success of the leading conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe and other BSF events.

Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in the execution of the leading conference in the region? We are currently seeking a dedicated Project Assistant to join Bled Strategic Forum team at CEP.

Responsibilities will include:

Assistance in coordinating and planning project activities of the Bled Strategic Forum

Coordination and collaboration with international partners.

Coordination of the Bled Strategic Forum.

Communication with Slovenian and foreign participants.

Collaboration with Slovenian and Foreign Experts.

Assistance in the preparation of reports.

Other works and tasks as per instructions.

More information as well as possibility for the application can be found here.

WB3C Training for CISOs of Critical Infrastructure in the Western Balkans

27. 11. 2023 | PR, Regional cooperation

Centre for European Perspective helped in the organisation of the ‘WB3C Training for CISOs of Critical Infrastructure in the Western Balkans’.

On 21 and 22 November, a ‘WB3C Training for CISOs of Critical Infrastructure in the Western Balkans’ took place in Podgorica, Montenegro. The training was organised within the framework of Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) by the Information Security Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia with the assistance of the Centre for European Perspective. CEP has a well-established track record in organizing trainings. The expertise accumulated through its work contributes to the successful and seamless execution of training programs.

The training brought together 19 participants dealing with information security in critical infrastructure from the countries of the Western Balkans. During the two days of training, the participants attended workshops and presentations dealing with a vast array of topics, ranging from mapping the biggest cybersecurity threats, essential prerequisites for raising the level of cyber security in critical infrastructure organisations and government bodies, post-quantum cryptography, new obligations arising from the EU’s NIS2 Directive to CISO networks that the participants can join.