5. 9. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
The 2018 edition of the Bled Strategic Forum will take place in Bled on 10 and 11 September under the title “Bridging the Divide” and will again attract over 1000 visible foreign and Slovenian guests from the spheres of politics, economy, research and development, science and civil society. Through the focus on deepening the divisions in regional and international security, political, economic and social environment, the Forum confirms its role as one of the most important strategic meetings in Central and Southeastern Europe.
Society in search of answers to deepening divisions
Recent technological advances have helped to deepen our understanding of the world and, in certain areas, bring us closer together than ever, but the world remains rife with tensions. The predictions and hopes of many political thinkers at the end of the 20th century that the access to information would result in greater homogeneity have not materialised. While many believe that facts are objective, we are now learning that in human interactions, distinguishing between facts and perceptions is harder than it seems, realising that the reality is very personal, subject to our cultural experience, traditions and values. How do we distinguish a fact from a perception or a myth? How do we decide that what we see is true and not merely the result of subjective views? And when our realities differ, how do we bridge the divide?
We have developed the instruments needed to engage in an effective, inclusive and transparent dialogue. The array of tools at our disposal is greater than ever before, but these new technologies are merely tools, and they are also being used to perpetuate our differences.
We remain enveloped in our traditional perceptions and are better at judging each other than looking inwards and making improvements at home. When will we start searching for the things we have in common with the same eagerness, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for everyone?
Fostering public discourse across three key bridges
For the 13th year, the Bled Strategic Forum fosters open space for a debate on governance of our society in the local, national and international context, education for future generations, inclusion and participation in decision-making for all members of the society, and technological as well as business challenges of the future. The Forum consists of three key elements: political-security forum, business forum and youth forum. The latter will follow the core topic and support it with a series of discussions under the titles “Business BSF: Future of Work” and “Young BSF: Sustainable Security – the Role of Youth in Bridging the Divide”.
Focus 1: Bridge between political processes and economy
Decision-making in politics and progressive, sustainable as well as green economy seem to be inseparable, since the two spheres correspond to each other in their key elements. For this reason, this year’s Forum hosts high-level guests from both spheres, including: Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA; Michel Barnier, the Commission’s Chief Negotiator for the negotiations with the United Kingdom; Carmelo Abela, Foreign Minister of Malta; Enver Hoxhaj, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo; Srđan Darmanović, Foreign Minister of Montenegro; Christian Ketels, The BCG Henderson Institute; Alf Rehn, University of Southern Denmark; Reva Goujon, Stratfor; Manuel Butler, Executive Director of World Tourism Organization; Oliver Spasovski, Minister of Internal Affairs of Macedonia; Samuel Žbogar, Head of the EU Delegation in Macedonia; Amre Moussa, former Secretary-General of the Arab League; Bassma Kodmani, member of the Syrian Negotiation Commission; Amal Jadou, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine; George Ciamba, State Secretary of Romania; and Andrej Zhernovski, Deputy Foreign Minister of Macedonia.
Business BSF will focus on the evolution of work and its impact on jobs, businesses and the society at large. Globalisation, technological progress and demographic change have a profound impact on work. While the future offers unparalleled opportunities, it also presents significant challenges. How will these changes affect workers, employers and the society?
Focus 2: Bridge between regional and global challenges
It is clear that the Forum exceeds regional boundaries both through wide geographic participation and the selection of topics. It is impossible to disregard global challenges, such as the future of Europe, economic and political outlook and the current geopolitical balance between the powers, which will be in the centre on the first day of the Forum. On the second day, the focus will be on the mediation in the multipolar world, global agenda for sustainable development, climate security, technological advances and the new reality in the labour market, cyber security, artificial intelligence, gender equality, cultural cooperation through tourism, as well as resilient and inclusive institutions. Among the key experts and leaders from these fields are: Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister for Happiness and Wellbeing of the United Arab Emirates; Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport; Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court; Fawaz Farooqui, Lead of the National Transformation Program 2020 of Saudi Arabia; Janez Potočnik, International Panel on Resources; Corneliu Bjola, University of Oxford; David Gorman, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Antonio Missiroli, NATO; Colette Mazzucelli, New York University; Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education of United Arab Emirates; Marko Grobelnik, AI Eesearcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute; Marcos Bonturi, OECD; Florian Bieber, University of Graz; Charlotte Ruhe, EBRD; Adil Najam, Boston University; Nikolaos Dimitriadis, Trizma Neuro; William Entriken, 0xcert; Patrick Cowden, Beyond Leadership; and Thomas Killion, Chief Scientist at NATO.
Focus 3: Strong representation of youth this year
For the past 8 years, the Forum has been accompanied by its younger brother, Young BSF, a meeting of young leaders who seek innovative solutions through vivid discussions and address burning global challenges. Over 70 participants from 30 countries will reconsider the concept of sustainable security and address the challenges of intergenerational cooperation, sustainable tourism, artificial intelligence, gender equality, security in the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean through 12 round tables and workshops. Special attention will be devoted to an inherent and urgently needed interregional cooperation that can lead to progress in democratisation, fight against corruption and terrorism, as well as adaptation and prevention of climate change. Strong interrelation between the topics of the BSF and Young BSF, which will take place from 7 to 9 September in Ljubljana, will for the first time in the history of the Forum result in discussions in Bled – namely, four young extraordinary leaders will participate as speakers in the main panels.
Numerous partnerships and diverse cooperation
The realisation of the Forum would not be possible without the support of the partners and sponsors. Among them are numerous institutional partners with whom we co-create expert side events and talks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for European Perspective established partnerships with the AmCham Slovenia, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Slovenian Tourism Board, Global Diplomacy Lab, Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, Government Office for Protection of Classified Information, ITF – Enhancing Human Security, IISG – Integrative Security Governance, European Network of Political Foundations, European Fund for the Balkans, US Department of State, DUTB, Doshisha University from Japan, Faculty of Social Sciences, Embassy of Italy in Ljubljana, 51st MOS Celje and Centre of Energy Efficiency Solutions. At the same time, the Forum is created and developed with the support of sponsors, including the strategic partners Generali, Riko, Telekom Slovenije and The Boston Consulting Group.
As a result of development, new partnerships and growth, the participation will meet last year’s records, including one third of participants from the civil society, one third from business and one third from the public sector.
23. 8. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, Danube, PR, Youth
As Priority area 10 of the EUSDR is focusing on Institutional Capacity and Cooperation we aim to include young professionals in the policy processes that are defining not only youth policies but tackle the major societal challenges. Institutions need to be able and ready to work with various groups of the society, as most of their work is dedicated back to its citizens.
We have decided to take the opportunity of the Young Bled Strategic Forum that is an integral part of the annual Bled Strategic Forum, a leading conference in Central and South East Europe focused on discussing and seeking solutions to pressing regional and global issues, organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective.
Special emphasis at the Forum will be given to cross-regional cooperation. A new generation of leaders will demonstrate that such cooperation is not only necessary, but inevitable for positive next steps in democratisation, fighting corruption, terrorism and climate change, and fostering social, economic, and cross-cultural sustainable development. To do this, young leaders have to learn from their peers from different regions, sharing their knowledge, ideas and know-how. Sustainable regional cooperation programmes are the key to a comprehensive, inclusive, and innovative approach that engages youth.
The Young BSF 2018 will host young leaders that will discuss Sustainable Security: The Role of Youth in Bridging the Divides. A ‘sustainable security’ approach prioritises the resolution of the interconnected underlying drivers of insecurity and conflict, with an emphasis on preventive rather than reactive strategies. The central premise of the sustainable security approach is that we cannot control all the consequences of insecurity successfully, but have to work to deal with the root causes of instability.
We have encouraged young leaders from Danube region between 18 and 35 years to participate through the public call. They needed to list their experiences, most pressing issues in their countries and proposed solutions that would have wider impact. The YBSF team selected 30 young professionals from 12 Danube countries that will join workshops, debates, round tables and study visits in Ljubljana and Bled, Slovenia, from 7 – 10 September. They have various backgrounds and working experiences – some are students or working at the Universities, some working for non-governmental institutions, international organizations, city administrations, there are as well entrepreneurs among them.
Discussions will than continue at Bled Strategic Forum will be held from 10 – 11 September and will bring together experts, practitioners and politicians who will tackle the hot topics of the world, joined together under title Bridging the divide. There are particularly three panels that will address challenges related to the action of the Priority area 10 and its targets within the Action plan for the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube region:
Digital Bridge: Transformation for Institutional Resilience
Digitalisation is a modern imperative. Institutions find themselves in a fast-paced and evolving environment in which rapid changes in communications media and power dynamics have significant effect on the role and voice of governments, business, media, and civil society organisations. In order to remain resilient and pliant while further serving the best interests of society, institutions must embrace on the digital future and transform and transcend traditional ways of operating. They must form the bridge.
Bridging the Trust Divide between People and Institutions
Levels of trust in institutions vary across time and cultures. The 2018 Edelman TRUST BAROMETER, measuring trust across a number of institutions, sectors and geographies, reveals a world of seemingly stagnant distrust in business, government, NGOs and the media. However, trust in institutions is one of the most critical elements of healthy societies, as it matters for their legitimacy, well-being and, ultimately, stability. This participatory panel will seek to discuss the root causes of people’s declining trust in well-established and alternative institutions and share experiences of how this challenge is addressed in various regions and at different levels.
Western Balkans: Lost Years or New Hope?
The EU enlargement process has always been a political process. Despite the technical benchmarks, monitoring missions, evaluations and progress reports, it took only one sentence from the President of the European Commission five years ago to raise doubt and fear about belief in the enlargement policy and the Western Balkans. After several years of uncertainty, it again took only one sentence from the same President to revive hope and enthusiasm in the region, which in the past was much more concerned about having a positive external appearance than internal reforms. This hope was translated into concrete language with a new strategy on enlargement; new tasks have been divided among the countries of the region, and uncertainty has been replaced by actual dates for enlargement.
All expert discussions are designed in interesting formats, host excellent guests and are enriched with inspiring moderators. However, many times participants (more than 1100 yearly) put rich networking opportunities into the spotlight of the reasons to come to Bled. It is an excellent opportunity for seeking fresh opportunities, starting new partnerships and exchange of ideas between political and business leaders.
Check some interesting impressions at Bled Strategic Forum YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/bledstrategicforum
More details on the topics discussed are available at Young Bled Strategic Forum and on Bled Strategic Forum website.
19. 7. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Youth
It was the fifth time that the six Western Balkans countries participated in a Summit dedicated to a common cooperation and integration with the European Union. This year’s Summit took place in the United Kingdom in London on 10 July. Prime Minister Theresa May hosted Heads of the Government of the Western Balkan 6: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The representatives of Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece as well as the EU institutions were also present. The whole idea is set within the Berlin Process initiative launched by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on August 28, 2014. The process was designed as a four-year series of meetings of prime ministers, ministers, civil society, and business communities of the Western Balkans. Before the fifth summit, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) put many efforts into making this meeting a success. A special department was set up to deal with the preparations and they held different meetings and seminars with experts on the region, both in the UK and in the region itself. Bled Strategic Forum and Center for European Perspective representatives took active role in preparatory sessions, meetings held prior to the event, as well as at the event itself.
Process has after four years brought various positive developments to the region. The connectivity agenda has contributed to economic co-operation and growth sustainability, while various infrastructure construction and economic space connectivity projects have been developed. There has been some success in resolving bilateral issues as well. Two interstate agreements were signed following the adoption of the Declaration on Bilateral Issues, while the biggest success has been the historic agreement between Macedonia and Greece, whose name dispute, along with the dispute between Belgrade and Pristina, is stated in the final declaration of the Berlin conference in 2014 as one of the key bilateral issues. A lot of progress has been made in recognizing role of youth and youth involvement, while Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) role, established as the Berlin Process product, was welcomed as a very important organisation in promoting reconciliation and increasing regional cooperation between young people. Topic discussed most was youth unemployment. The representatives agreed that young people’s potential need to be harnessed but also remained concerned about high levels of brain drain. The Chair’s Conclusions of the Heads’ meeting of the London Western Balkans Summit welcomed the role young people and civil society had played in shaping the London Summit and strongly agreed that young people are the region’s biggest asset. They also agreed that more needs to be done to harness the potential of the young people.
London summit produced many results, particularly declarations of intent and respective agreements. The heads of state agreed to a “Joint Declaration on Regional and Good Neighborly Relations”, a “Joint Declaration on Missing Persons”, and a “Joint Declaration on War Crimes” (see the documents here). The interior ministers confirmed their intentions to further strengthen information exchange on serious organized crime and other security threats; to further cooperate in tackling the illicit possession, misuse and trafficking of firearms; to deal with human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants; and to deal with corruption (see here). They also agreed to establish a “Berlin Process Security Commitments Steering Group” to oversee the commitments, headed by the UK (see here). Foreign Ministers reiterated the positive developments in the region in the past year (see here).
In addition, the UK used the stage to announce changes in its Western Balkans policy (see here) which included a doubling in UK funding to the region from the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, as well as a doubling of UK staff in the region dealing with security issues affecting the UK. Furthermore, the UK committed £10 million for digital education among young people; this is a programme run through the British Council from which 4,500 schools will benefit. In addition, the UK promised £1 million to help address legacy issues in the region, especially emphasizing the issue of missing persons in this context, which also had a particular importance during the summit.
One of the downsides of the Berlin process and commitments made at the Summit, is lack of monitoring institutions. Civil society, and its integral part, youth organizations, play a large role here, with keeping track, reporting and disseminating of actions of their respective governments in regards to the commitments made. Civil society should also continue with its contributions in shaping the priority areas to be tackled within the Berlin process, as well as ensure recommendations are provided on the issues at hand.
13. 7. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
Round table discussion “Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans: Not without its Alternatives?” took place on Tuesday, 10 July 2018 at the Faculty of Social Sciences and was organized by the Centre for European Perspective, the Bled Strategic Forum and the MUN Slovenia Club as part of the 2018 edition of the MUNSC Salient youth conference. Three speakers, Ambassador Paolo Trichilo, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Slovenia, Mr Peter Grk, National Coordinator for the Western Balkans, BSF Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and Ms Jelka Klemenc, DCAF Slovenia, have engaged in a vivid discussion led by Ms Nina Pejič of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Ms Pejič started with a challenging reminder: Federica Mogherini stated publically in 2017 that the Western Balkans will be irreversibly on the path to the EU before the end of her mandate. As one of the initial 6 “old” member states, Italy, so explained Ambassador Trichilo, wholeheartedly supports the entrance of the countries of the WB to the EU, the WB geographically and historically belongs to Europe and the sooner the countries enter, the better. In that way the interests of the member state(s) coincide with the statements of the EU bodies (EASS), in which the Commission has a large voice. Also Mr Grk think the same way: the member states should de-mystify the Balkans and rationally think about what benefits does it bring to let these countries into the EU.
The EU has abandoned the Balkans in the period between 2010-2017 due to its internal struggles (economic crisis, migration crisis, Brexit and identity crisis), but it is now back on track with the hands-on approach towards the integration of the region into the EU, agreed the speakers.
The discussion was closely following the conclusion of the Western Balkans Summit in London, organized in the framework of the Berlin Process. Mr Grk pointed out that the Berlin Process itself is not important, but its outcomes are: the progress in 2018 is indeed outstanding and should be considered monumental for the achievement of the Mogherini’s statement. Also Ms Jelka Klemenc feels that the region has connected through the Berlin Process in a way that is now irreversible in the field of security. The security forces in the region now do not know any other way than to cooperate in the field of internal security issues.
Ms Pejič pointed out that the internal security issues originating from the Balkans region were set as the first priority for the EU in the new strategy for the Western Balkans. In terms of security in the Balkans, all three panelists concurred in the opinion that this is one of the most important fields in which the EU should take the place of the main actor. Although the EU, according to Ms Jelka Klemenc, backed out the Balkans also in this field during the last decade, there was no turning towards the alternative actors in the field of security by the Western Balkans’ countries. To keep it this way, the EU should grab the opportunity and proceed with further security integration after this crucial year of 2018, in which the re-commitment towards the Western Balkans was established and the new strategy for the Western Balkans accepted. For the EU to become a more credible actor in the field of security in this region, the Balkans should become treated as a (possible) security provider instead of a threat.
When they considered the actors that are present in the region, the panelists pointed out the US, which still play a role of the security provider at least in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Turkey, whose President recently paid a visit to some Balkan countries; Saudi Arabia, which is one of the actors that in the field of security might endanger the region through financing religious teachings, that can in turn enhance religious fundamentalism and radicalization. China is also considered an alternative actor through its investments in the region, which should, according to the panelists, be accepted but still controlled in order to comply with the European standards in terms of infrastructure etc. All investments should be made in accordance to the European values, agreed the panelists.
However, all panellists were of opinion that although the alternative actors are present in the region and are competing with the primacy of the EU in the Western Balkans, the Euro-Atlantic integration is not endangered, especially if the EU comes through with the plans of re-commitment and invests in the region both politically and financially-wise.
The questions coming from the audience were concerning the most with the question of the possible dangerous Chinese investments in the Western Balkans region and their effect on the process of integration to the EU; the NATO presence in the region and the possible mechanisms of the NATO that could be used to integrate the Western Balkans’ countries faster, and the possible influences of these alternative actors on the internal EU policies.
4. 7. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
The Centre for European Perspective, the Bled Strategic Forum and the MUN Slovenia Club kindly invite you to a panel discussion in the framework of the 2018 edition of the MUNSC Salient youth conference: “Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans: Not without its Alternatives?” on Tuesday, 10 July 2018, 17.15 – 18.45 at the Grand Hall of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana.
Panel discussion is organised by the MUN Slovenia Club (MUNSC), the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) as part of the 2018 edition of the MUNSC Salient youth conference.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Speakers:
Ambassador Paolo Trichilo, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Slovenia
Mr Peter Grk, National Coordinator for the Western Balkans, BSF Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia
Ms Jelka Klemenc, DCAF Slovenia
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
After more than two decades of attempts on the part of the European Union to help stabilise the Western Balkans and gradually integrate it into its political and economic community the results are mixed. While there is no denying the fact that some immense steps have been made, a list of systemic challenges seems to have remained more or less unchanged over the years.
What has changed, however, is the wider geopolitical context in which the Western Balkans policy complex is embedded. Across a range of issue areas relations between the East and the West have deteriorated, with Cold War analogies featuring ever more frequently both in lay and expert deliberations. Given the importance of stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans for the security of the wider European continent, it can hardly be expected that the region will remain unaffected by wider power struggles.
In this context the concluding remarks of the new EU strategy for the Western Balkans, recently adopted by the European Commission, come across as especially revealing:
“Most fundamentally, leaders in the region must leave no doubt as to their strategic orientation and commitment. It is they that ultimately must assume responsibility for making this historical opportunity a reality.” (European Commission 2018)
Yet what if, at least from the perspective of some regional stakeholders, the ‘historical opportunity’ of further Euro-Atlantic integration is not without its alternatives?
This will be the guiding question for a panel discussion that is set to proceed in two parts. The first part will focus on the potential existence of alternatives to Euro-Atlantic integration in the Western Balkans and ways to accommodate them into our current deliberations about the region. In the second part the discussion will shift towards the implications that potential alternatives could hold for future EU policies concerning this region, both at the political level as well as in the day-to-day activities of people working on the ground.
RSVP: [email protected] by Monday, 9 July 2018
Kindly invited!
4. 7. 2018 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
The Third Regional Youth Forum took place in Novi Sad, Serbia last weekend (29 June – 1 July). The event gathered around 200 young opinionated leaders, between 18 and 35 years old, with a proven record of making an impact in their communities and offered them a place for knowledge sharing and dialogue through networking and a series of panel discussions. A delegation of the Bled Strategic Forum and Young Bled Strategic Forum attended the event as an introduction into a long-term cooperation between the institutions.
The participants at the opening ceremony were greeted by RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša who said that the Forum is looking for the answer to the question how to bring more Europe in the region and how to make a region more present in Europe. He underlined that the Forum’s participants are the future ambassadors of change and those who will create the future that we all want to see. During the opening ceremony, the participants were greeted by Serbian Prime Minister Ms Ana Brnabić who said that the youth of the region should put a pressure on the leaders and make them politically smarter and more active as this will bring “big things” for the region.
The Forum was attended by the mayors of Novi Sad and Tirana, Mr Miloš Vučević and Mr Erion Veliaj. The Mayor of Tirana said that the EU has done a lot for the region because it enabled movement, cooperation and made possible that Serbians and Albanians are today at the same event discussing a bright future. He argued that we need more Europe in the region because of this fact.
The Regional Youth Forum is organized by the European Movement in Serbia – Local Branch Novi Sad, the European Fund for the Balkans, the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, and in partnership with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – ORF Promotion of EU Integration. Indispensable support was provided by the Provincial Government of Vojvodina, the City of Novi Sad and the Regional Cooperation Council.
The Forum’s conclusions will be presented at the upcoming London Summit in London within the Berlin Process, at the 8th edition of the Belgrade Security Forum, and the 2018 Young Bled Strategic Forum.
