25. 8. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Young BSF, Youth
11th edition of the Young Bled Strategic Forum, held between 26 and 28 August entitled ‘Democracy fit for the new age’, will focus on the discussions regarding challenges our democracies face in response to the transformation of our societies.
Thirty-six young people from 20 different countries participating in this year’s conference will be joined by 20 speakers, panellists and workshop facilitators.
As every year, the conference has a particular leitmotif – this time it is covered by the title ‘Democracy fit for the new age’. Democracy is not a static term or a form of governance – it evolves to correspond with the transformations of our societies, our understanding of what it means to be democratic, and in response to the changing environments. There has been no shortage of societal disruption in recent years – from the Covid-19 pandemic, the return of war in Europe, and pervasive technological developments to a growing polarisation within our societies.
Are our democracies catching up with these changes? Are we capable of providing answers to the challenges we are facing within our current systems of governance? Are they fit for the new age? These are just some of the questions that the participants will address through the prism of four content pillars, which will focus on 1) the search for joint international solutions to international challenges (transnational cooperation), 2) prosperity through diversity, 3) the advantages and disadvantages of democracies; and 4) the role of the media and disinformation.
The three-day conference will begin on Friday, 26 August with the visit of the National Assembly of the Republic where the President of the National Assembly, mag. Urška Klakočar Zupančič will open Young BSF 2022 and join an interactive discussion on the topic of challenges and opportunities of democracies, with speakers Ms Katja Geršak, Executive Director of Centre for European Perspective, Ms Lucija Karnelutti, EU UN Youth Delegate 2022/23 and Ms Dolores Kores, Director Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth.
The following two days will explore democracies through the prism of four thematic pillars: I) Media literacy and information society; II) Prosperity through diversity; III) Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?; IV): Joint solutions for joint challenges; with participants engaging in discussions and a diverse evening programme.
Young BSF is made possible with the contribution of the Interreg ADRION Programme and the EUSAIR Facility point, supported by the European Union and cooperating within the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region; Danube Transnational Programme and Priority Area 10 ´Institutional capacity and cooperation´ Supported by the European Union, that are engaged within the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region; Central European Initiative (CEI) and Triglav d.d.
26. 7. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
The focus of this year’s Bled Strategic Forum, which will be held between 29 and 30 August under the title ‘The rule of power or the power of rules’, will be the discussions about the repercussions of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the crisis of multilateralism. Parallel to the main event, the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF) will also take place from 26 to 29 August in Ljubljana and Bled.
Between 29 and 30 August 2022, the participants of the Bled Strategic Forum will seek answers to questions about the future of multilateral order and its role within the European Union. Global crises (climate, economic, food, energy) and the emergence of new crisis hotspots, but above all, Russian aggression against Ukraine and changes in the international order, have shown that the international system that was formed around the UN after the end of the Second World War must change. With the changes to the east-west and north-south axes, there was a question of reconfiguring the already established structure. The role of the EU, especially in the light of the Ukrainian crisis, is to strengthen its voice on the international stage and strengthen its own ability to deal with current and future challenges, such as the food and security crisis.
The main topic of the first day of the BSF will be a discussion with the leaders of European countries, high representatives of the European Union and foreign ministers of European countries about the challenges facing the European Union and the region.
On the second day of the Bled Strategic Forum, discussions will focus on the situation in the European neighbourhood, the aid and reconstruction of Ukraine, and the consequences of Russian aggression on food and energy security in Europe and the enlargement of the EU. The talks will also touch upon the future of the global economy, cooperation in the fight against climate change, the challenges of the European security architecture, digitalisation and cyber security. The tourism panel of this year’s BSF will be devoted to discussions on the response to the obstacles in tourism and the economy resulting from the global crisis.
This year’s Young BSF will focus primarily on discussions about the future of democracy, also in the light of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and young people will have the opportunity to present their ideas and conclusions at the Bled Strategic Forum.
Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) is a leading conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe, which for the seventeenth year has been an inclusive platform where a diverse structure of people from the fields of diplomacy, politics, economy, private and public sector and academia come together to discuss key challenges in the 21st century. The purpose of the BSF is to encourage participating actors to discuss and exchange opinions and to find innovative solutions to regional and global challenges.
7. 7. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
On Tuesday, 5 June the Bled Strategic Forum and the Centre for European Perspective were honoured to host the discussion with H. E. Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo and Mr Vojko Volk, State Secretary for International Affairs from the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia.
The event titled ‘Western Balkans: Where do we go from here?’ focused on the EU enlargement process with H. E. Dr Osmani pointing out that the EU now “finally, after decades, looks at enlargement as a geostrategic concept, rather as a bureaucratic process”. While it can be discussed if this has changed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine or in spite of it, the fact that Ukraine and Moldova were given candidate status shortly after submitting membership applications, did trigger a debate on whether the EU wants at all to admit the remaining six Western Balkan countries to full membership. And since 19 years have passed since the adoption of the Thessaloniki agenda for the Western Balkans, other than the promises about the European perspective of the respective countries, no such concrete steps have happened with respect to their membership in the EU.
The visit of Dr Osmani to Slovenia did reinforce Slovenian support for the process, with Mr Volk reinforcing the support for the continuation at Tuesday’s discussion, stating: “This region [Western Balkans] is our courtyard and it should all become the EU. The sooner, the better”. The discussion, moderated by BSF Secretary General, Peter Grk, also touched upon the current situation in the Western Balkans and the public’s opinion on the enlargement process, Kosovo’s future perspective, Russian influence in the Western Balkans and more.
You can watch the video of the discussion here
15. 3. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
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Yet again history makes its mark on Europe.
The war in Ukraine, instigated by Russia, will have a lasting impact on European security. The conflict, which has broader geopolitical implications, could signal a beginning of growing instability in various other regions such as the Balkans, South China Sea, or Taiwan. Furthermore, the conflict could spill over into EU countries. The international order based on the equality of sovereign countries is crumbling before our eyes. Simultaneously we are witnessing unity and vigour of the European Union and NATO in its responses to the Russian aggression. Europe is uniting and the Transatlantic partnership is reinvigorated. Security is again at the forefront and the European Security Architecture is and has to change drastically.
On the 15th of March Bled Strategic Forum, Centre for European Perspective and the Atlantic Council held a discussion titled Aggression on Ukraine: Lining up the West – a discussion aimed at uncovering the wider consequences of the war in Ukraine for European security and geopolitical implications of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The introductory remarks were delivered by Ambassador Iztok Mirošič, BSF Programme Director, with panel speakers Mr Mykhailo Gonchar, Founder & President, Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”, Ukraine, Dr Stefan Meister, Head of Program for International Order and Democracy, German Council on Foreign Relations, Mr Jernej Müller, Political Director, Director-General, Directorate for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and Ms Anna Wieslander, Director Northern Europe, Europe Center, Atlantic Council.
The discussion was moderated by Ms Katja Geršak, Executive Director, Centre for European Perspective.
Missed the discussion?
You can watch it here:
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7. 3. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
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Bled Strategic Forum, Centre for European Perspective and the Atlantic Council cordially invite you to a discussion
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Aggression on Ukraine:
Lining up the West
15 March 2022, 10.00 CET
Zoom & Jable Castle*
Register here.
Yet again history makes its mark on Europe.
The war in Ukraine, instigated by Russia, will have a lasting impact on European security. The conflict, which has broader geopolitical implications, could signal a beginning of growing instability in various other regions such as Balkans, South China Sea, or Taiwan. Furthermore, the conflict could spill over into EU countries. The international order based on the equality of sovereign countries is crumbling before our eyes. Simultaneously we are witnessing unity and vigour of the European Union and NATO in its responses to the Russian aggression. Europe is uniting and the Transatlantic partnership is reinvigorated. Security is again at the forefront and the European Security Architecture is and has to change drastically.
What are the consequences of the war in Ukraine for European security?
What are the broader geopolitical implications of Russian aggression in Ukraine?
Can we expect spill over effects and where?
Are the EU and NATO doing enough?
Introductory remarks:
· Ambassador Iztok Mirošič, BSF Programme Director
Speakers:
· Mr Mykhailo Gonchar, Founder & President, Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”, Ukraine – digitally
· Dr Stefan Meister, Head of Program for International Order and Democracy, German Council on Foreign Relations – digitally
· Mr Jernej Müller, Political Director, Director-General, Directorate for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia
· Ms Anna Wieslander, Director Northern Europe, Europe Center, Atlantic Council – digitally
Closing remarks:
· Dr Stanislav Raščan, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia
Moderated by Ms Katja Geršak, Executive Director, Centre for European Perspective.
Join us on Zoom!
If you wish to join the discussion on-site at Jable Castle, please RSVP no later than Sunday, March 13 by email to [email protected].
*Disclaimer: The on-site discussion will take place at Jable Castle, Grajska cesta 1, 1234 Mengeš. On-site participation will be possible for the first 50 RSVPs. Participants who will be able to attend the discussion live will be notified day before the event by email. Participants will be able to watch the discussion online via Zoom platform or on the BSF YouTube profile. For more about the BSF, you can also follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profile.
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11. 1. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Young BSF
We invite you to read the recently released BSF 2021 Conference Report with an overview of the events, discussions, and issues tackled at the Bled Strategic Forum 2021 and Young Bled Strategic Forum 2021.
The 16th Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) took place on 1 and 2 September 2021 in Bled, Slovenia. The focus of the two-day event was the future of Europe with a call to increase its resilience to respond more effectively to current and future challenges.
The overarching theme of 2021 Bled Strategic Forum was the Future of Europe, with the panels structured in 4 clusters, showcasing the key areas for the debate – a cluster on the Future of Europe offered an honest and soul-searching debate on where Europe stands at this point and where is it heading, with discussions on the most pressing issues Europe is facing and the importance of a viable enlargement perspective and a process towards it for the Western Balkans to counter a growing influence of third countries in the region.
A cluster with global panels featured discussions on the status of Afghanistan, the rise of China and the changing balance in the world that will significantly affect the future European standing in the world and thus its future. Analysis of the EU’s policies and their effects, strengthening the cohesion and an increased presence in the world were recognised as key challenges. Stronger cooperation with India and Africa were also discussed.
While global developments will in no small measure determine the general direction the EU will head towards in the future, the regional outlook and development will have an even greater impact on the Future of Europe – with discussions in the regional cluster panels addressing the CEE region, the Three Seas Initiative and Eastern Partnership, alongside discussions focused on Europe’s defence, security and stability in the Mediterranean and cooperation in the Adriatic.
The cluster of transformational panels showcased some of the areas, issues and challenges Europe must face to better prepare for the future. Discussions addressed post-epidemic sustainable economic recovery, green and social recovery, future of European tourism, sustainable future growth, digital and transatlantic cooperation, cybersecurity, exploration of space, decarbonisation of transport, climate neutrality and COP26, the importance of strategic communication and communication with citizens, and the fight against disinformation.
You can find the BSF Conference Report here.
