28. 8. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR, Regional cooperation, Strategic Communication
Mengeš, Slovenia – 4–6 September 2024
In an era where digital communication is both a powerful tool and a formidable challenge, government communicators must adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. To support these efforts, the U.S. Department of State and Centre for European Perspective (CEP) are hosting a specialized three-day training on the topic of “Advanced Digital Strategic Messaging.”
This event, which will take place in Mengeš, will bring together government communicators from 19 different countries to enhance their skills in digital strategic messaging. The training is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge tools and techniques needed to navigate today’s complex communication environment.
Participants will engage in intensive sessions led by esteemed international experts from different fields. The training will cover various topics, including digital presence in the digital society, support for the connection through engaging dialogue, focusing on opportunities for podcast creation, possibilities of cooperation with influencers, and theoretical and practical knowledge on integrating advanced visuals and multimedia elements into messaging. In addition to technical skills, the program will address critical areas such as crisis communications and strategies to counteract disinformation—key components for maintaining credibility and trust in governmental messaging.
The project is the result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of State and the Centre for European Perspective, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, in the scope of the programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid.
Further information:
Ingrid Omahna
Head of Programme, Strategic Communication
Centre for European Perspective
Napredno usposabljanje o digitalnem strateškem komuniciranju v Mengšu, Slovenija
Mengeš, Slovenija – 4. do 6. september 2024
Živimo v času hitrih sprememb, kjer digitalna komunikacija igra ključno volgo in lahko predstavlja tako prednost kot tudi izziv. Vladni komunikatorji se morajo konstantno prilagajati in izobraževati, da sledijo hitro se spremnjajočim trendom. V ta namen Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve Združenih držav Amerike (U. S. Department of State) in Center za evropsko prihodnost (CEP) organizirata tridnevno usposabljanje z naslovom »Napredno digitalno strateško komuniciranje«.
Dogodek, ki bo potekal v Mengšu med 4. septembrom 2024 in 6. septembrom 2024, bo povezal vladne komunikatorje iz 19 različnih držav z namenom izboljšanja veščin digitalnega strateškega komuniciranja. Usposabljanje je zasnovano z ciljem, da udeležencem zagotovi orodja in tehnike, potrebne za uspešno delovanje v kompleksnem komunikacijskem okolju.
Udeleženci bodo sodelovali na več predavanjih in aktivnostih, ki jih bodo vodili priznani mednarodni strokovnjaki z različnih področij. Program usposabljanja bo zajemal ključne teme, kot so vzpostavljanje digitalne prisotnosti v digitalni družbi, izgradnje vključujočega dialoga, vloga umetne inteligence pri krepitvi strateških komunikacij, uporabo podkastov in možnosti sodelovanja z digitalnimi vplivneži ter vključevanje naprednih vizualnih in multimedijskih elementov v komuniciranje. Poleg pridobivanja tehničnih veščin, bodo udeleženci sodelovali v krepitvi institucionalnega znanja o pomembnih področjih, kot so krizno komuniciranje in strategije za boj proti dezinformacijam, ki sta ključni za ohranjanje verodostojnosti in zaupanja v vladno komuniciranje.
Projekt je rezultat sodelovanja Ministrstva za zunanje zadeve Združenih držav Amerike (U. S. Department of State) in Centra za evropsko prihodnost v partnerstvu z Ministrstvom za zunanje in evropske zadeve Republike Slovenije v okviru programa Razvojnega sodelovanja in humanitarne pomoči.
25. 7. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
Članek v slovenskem jeziku najdete tu.
Kranj, 24 July 2024 — The three-week mentorship visit of the Ukrainian municipality of Novovolynsk concluded today in the City of Kranj. The event marked the culmination of three weeks of collaboration and experience exchange between the two municipalities.
City of Kranj Mayor Matjaž Rakovec emphasized in his opening speech that the first cooperation between Kranj and Ukraine dates back to 2021, stating: »City of Kranj had its first cooperation with Ukraine in 2021, together with the [now] ex-ambassador we set a statue of Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian poet, in the Avenue of Prešeren’s Contemporaries. Last year, together with the Ukrainian Embassy, Kranj hosted a Ukrainian cultural event for the Independence Day of Ukraine. The mentorship program with Novovolynsk is another example of good cooperation – an aim to progress and develop. This programme was an opportunity to gain new perspectives and skills. Dear mentees, Inna and Anatolii, I hope the new knowledge will help you achieve your goals. Thank you for your dedicated work and good cooperation. Let the future be bright.«
The municipality of Novovolynsk participated in the event online. The Mayor of Novovolynsk, Borys Karpus, visited Kranj on July 10 and signed a mentorship cooperation protocol with Mayor Rakovec. He thanked the City of Kranj and everyone involved in organizing the visit for their hospitality and for providing opportunities for cooperation and development.
On behalf of the visit organizer, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), Nina Čepon, CEP Executive Director, addressed the gathering, highlighting that local communities in Ukraine are key players in recovery and reconstruction. She also emphasized Slovenia’s thematic advantage from our experience in post-war recovery, local development, and the EU accession process, as well as the extensive food practice of the City of Kranj.
Ukrainian mentees then presented their three-week visit and the project plans prepared during the visit. Inna Vykhor, a deputy of the Novovolynsk City Council and chair of the permanent committee on education, science, culture, youth, sports, and information policy, presented the NovoHUB project concept. This project focuses on vocational, business, and educational training, reflecting a shift in their project focus after visiting Kovačnica, BSC Kranj, and the School Centre Kranj. The main objective of the project is to ensure a qualified and sufficient labour force, securing jobs for citizens and long-term economic growth of Novovolynsk. The purpose is to renovate vacant buildings to introduce new vocational, business, and educational programs. The target group includes residents, internally displaced persons, redundant coal mine workers, and people from Donetsk. The project aims to address the challenges of a lack of skilled labour force for local enterprises, access to quality and safe education for internally displaced persons, and the lack of a business support ecosystem. Anatolii Dudik, Chief Specialist of the Department for Organizing the Provision of Administrative Services at the Center for Administrative Services of the Executive Committee of the Novovolynsk City Council, presented the Novo Open app. This app focuses on the digitalization of city information, increasing digital citizen participation in local development, and presenting Novovolynsk to tourists. The project aims to provide free, open, and participative access to information and services in Novovolynsk. Mentors from the City of Kranj, Maja Šavs and Mojca Finc, presented the mentorship aspect and provided more information about the work of City of Kranj and Kranj’s institutions involved in the mentorship.
In the concluding part, Ambassador Tomaž Mencin, National Coordinator for the reconstruction of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, greeted the gathering. He emphasized that the decentralization reform in Ukraine is crucial and progressing well, focusing on empowering local municipalities, and stated that Slovenia agrees with the European Union’s request for financial instruments to support decentralized governance in Ukraine. Natalia Markevych Pritsa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Ukrainian Embassy in Slovenia, expressed gratitude to Slovenia for its role in the reconstruction process and hope for the project’s success. Mag Blaž Masle, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Slovenian Embassy in Kyiv, praised the good cooperation between Slovenia and Ukraine and confirmed the embassy’s readiness to assist further.
Following the visit, CEP activities will focus on areas identified as needing additional attention. Webinars will involve more Novovolynsk municipality employees. In the next steps, CEP will provide concrete support in implementing the local reconstruction and development plan of Novovolynsk.
A heartfelt thank you for enriching the mentorship programme goes to the City of Kranj, Kovačnica Coworking, BSC Kranj, Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska Biotehniški center Naklo, Iskraemeco, Vincenc Draksler Foundation, School Centre Kranj, Centre of Sustainable Mobility Kranj, TIC Kranj, and more.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
27. 6. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Strategic Communication, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries
Today, the Centre for European Perspective is launching a new publication, »The Mirage of Truth: Complexities and Challenges of Disinformation in the Western Balkans«, in the scope of the Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign-Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkan Countries project.
The publication is the last activity upon the conclusion of this project as of June 30th, 2024. It touches upon the following topics: governments’ capacities to tackle disinformation, legislative venues for counter-disinformation tactics, regulation of the digital space, adaptations to education curricula, and possibilities and limits to whole-of-society cooperation mechanisms.
Disinformation is about intent. More specifically, intent to manipulate. Information is not accidentally skewed; the context is not taken out of the equation by chance. The source of disinformation carefully tailors the product following its aims and targets. It is a long-term, coordinated action seeking to undermine another society’s values, cohesion and institutions. In other words, disinformation is not a phenomenon – it is a threat, and even more, a security threat. It is a direct manifestation of foreign interference in domestic affairs, and it should be treated as such. The easiest and most vulnerable targets of disinformation are countries still developing their democratic and economic capacities with a recent history of conflict, like the Western Balkans. Disinformation that targets this region is a threat to the idea of Europe and we must, and we will resist – together.
The publication does not pretend to offer answers or an overview of all the challenges each Western Balkan country is struggling with. However, it does encourage future researchers and practitioners to think about the issue more comprehensively and to consider how disinformation affects the entire societal ecosystem, from security and foreign policy to governance, media, and education. Moreover, it also urges calls for an expansion of the comparative perspectives for which, at this time, we lacked sufficient space.
We would like to thank the following authors for their contribution to the publication: Kristina Voko (BIRN Albania), Vuk Vučetić (University of East Sarajevo), Kreshnik Gashi (Kallxo.com and Birn Kosovo), Marko Banović (Digital Forensic Centre / Digitalni forenzički centar – DFC), Bardhyl Jashari (Metamorphosis Foundation) & Tijana Femić (Novi Sad School of Journalism).
As the project concludes, our commitment to this cause remains unwavering. We will continue our efforts in this area, recognizing that change is only possible with consistency. It would be a disservice to the four years of hard work not to carry it forward in other ways.
The Project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Disinformation in the Western Balkans is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia through development cooperation funds.
Read the publication HERE.
12. 6. 2024 | local self-government, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
“When we talk about Ukraine’s recovery, we talk about the recovery of the future new EU member state” (Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, in his opening address at the URC 2024 in Berlin).
Ukrainian local communities represent a key driving force for Ukraine’s successful recovery and sustainable development. The Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin highlighted the role of these municipalities.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Slovenia has been offering assistance and support to Ukraine. The support has resulted in long-term sustainable partnerships based on solidarity and friendship, with Slovenia offering its valuable experience as Ukraine continues its path towards the EU, with the Slovenian government announcing the allocation of an additional 5 million € to Ukrainian recovery.
We are proud to announce the release of our publication, “Slovenia Supporting Ukrainian Communities: Integrating Reconstruction with Local Development”, highlighting the Slovenian contribution and opportunities for future cooperation in the recovery, reconstruction and EU integration of Ukraine.
Authors: Dr Janez Šušteršič, Ms Jelka Klemenc and Mr Jurij Kobal.
You can find the publication here.
5. 6. 2024 | North Macedonia - Nursing and Midwifery, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance
We have successfully completed the three-day study visit as part of the project ‘Advancing Nursing and Midwifery Education and Establishing the System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia (2024–2025)’. The study visit, held from June 3 to June 5, 2024, marks the beginning of cooperation between Slovenia and North Macedonia in enhancing the professional qualifications and education systems for nurses and midwives in North Macedonia.
The visit began with the official launch of the project on Monday with the welcome address from Mr Denis Korde, State Secretary at Ministry of Health of Slovenia. He welcomed the Macedonian delegation to Slovenia, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for addressing the challenges in the health sector. Activities of day 1 continued with presentations from Ms Monika Ažman, President of the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (NMA), who shared the association’s almost century-long journey and developments in the nursing and midwifery sector in Slovenia in this time. Mr Andrej Vojnovič, presented the regulatory framework for nursing in Slovenia, with follow-up presentations by Ms Urša Glavinac and Ms Anita Prelec, focusing on the registration, licensing, and continuous professional and educational development of nurses and midwives, emphasizing patient safety and quality care.
On Tuesday, the delegation visited the Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care (ABFHC) in Jesenice. Doc. Dr Sanela Pivač, Prof. Dr Brigita Skela Savič, and Senior Lecturer Ms Anita Prelec, presented the work of the Faculty, the evolution of nursing and midwifery education in Slovenia and strategies for building quality education programs. They also presented the work of ABFHC and the cooperation of the Faculty with Jesenice General Hospital. Representatives from North Macedonia presented the issues in the implementation of the Bologna process in their educational sector with the along with the current obstacles in establishing graduate and postgraduate programs for nurses and midwives in North Macedonia. The afternoon featured a tour of Jesenice General Hospital, where the delegation learned more about the roles and competencies of nurses and midwives in the healthcare system of Slovenia.
The final day of the study visit began with an interactive debrief and a discussion focused on the possibility of applying the Slovenian practices to the North Macedonian context. Members of the delegation noted the benefits of a public healthcare system, particularly in primary care settings. The discussions also focused on outlining steps for future activities, focused on regulation and education. Following the discussion, the delegation visited Community Health Centre Ljubljana (Zdravstveni dom Ljubljana) and the Simulation centre (SIM centre) of the Community Health Centre Ljubljana (CHC Ljubljana), which is the first simulation centre on the primary level in Slovenia. It provides the implementation of advanced simulations in healthcare to improve patient safety, to increase the knowledge and skills of professionals, and to enhance their competences and their effectiveness to act in certain life-threatening situations. The visit of the Community Health Centre enabled the presentation of the different role of nurses in primary health care.
The Centre for European Perspective extends its thanks to all the institutions and individuals who made this study visit a success:
- Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care
- Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (NMA)
- Health Centre Ljubljana (Zdravstveni dom Ljubljana)
- Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia
- WHO Office Skopje
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
- Representatives from the nursing and midwifery sectors in North Macedonia
About the Project
The project ‘Advancing Nursing and Midwifery Education and Establishing the System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia (2024–2025)’ aims to align nursing and midwifery education with European standards, improving healthcare outcomes in North Macedonia. The project activities are supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the #SlovenianAid programme, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Check out the photos in the Flickr gallery below:
3. 6. 2024 | North Macedonia - Nursing and Midwifery, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance
Novico v slovenskem jeziku najdete tu.
Ljubljana, Slovenia, 3 June 2024 – We are proud to announce the official launch of the project “Advancing nursing and midwifery education and establishing the system for the recognition of professional qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia (2024–2025)”, aimed at supporting and advancing nursing and midwifery education in North Macedonia. The project, supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and co-financed by the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia, was succesfully launched today, before the commencement of a three-day study visit in Slovenia.
Distinguished speakers Mr Denis Kordež, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Ms Eva Dajčman Šterk, Head Division for Human Resources in Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Pia Vračko, representative of the WHO Country Office in North Macedonia, Ms Elena Ristoska, representative of the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia, Ms Monika Ažman, President of the Nurses & Midwives Association of Slovenia and Ms Jelka Klemenc, Head of Development Cooperation at the Centre for European Perspective, contributed to the official launch of the project, which will run until 31 December 2025.
Distinguished speakers opening the event highlighted the importance of cooperation of various stakeholders and thanked representatives from North Macedonia for their engagement, the Centre for European Perspective for the support in officially launching and running the project and the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia for their expert support. Speakers also highlighted the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia for the project.
Mr Denis Kordež, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, who welcomed the Macedonian delegation to Slovenia, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Close and coherent cooperation between the various stakeholders in the health and education system to address nursing and midwifery education and to establish a system of recognizing professional qualifications in North Macedonia is crucial. We hope you will be able to learn from Slovenia and its practices and avoid the mistakes we made.”
“We are happy and proud of the project of international cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia, within the framework of which we will advise Macedonian professional colleagues in the establishment of vertical education for nurses with an emphasis on the first and second Bologna level and in the preparation of the necessary tools and starting points for independent regulation of professions in nursing and midwifery. The established cooperation proves that the Nurses and Midwives Association, which takes care of the development of the health and midwifery profession and strives for its autonomy, has international recognition and validity. We want recognition of the autonomy of the profession at home as well,” said Monika Ažman, President of the Nurses and Midwives of Slovenia – the Association of Professional Associations of Nurses, Midwives and Medical Technicians of Slovenia.
Ms Elena Ristoska, a Representative from the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia, thanked the initiative of NMA and the work of CEP and acknowledged the urgency of the task ahead for North Macedonia: “A similar path to Slovenian awaits us, but we only have a year to do it.”
Dr Pia Vračko from the WHO Office in North Macedonia stressed the importance of unwavering dedication and teamwork: “Slovenia has always supported EU integration of the Western Balkans, and now we also cooperate in the field of health. We hope there will be more projects like this between North Macedonia and Slovenia, as without collaboration, this project will not be a success. This is why it is crucial to have representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education together here. It is difficult to implement change, and we will have to be one team and act together. Never and never give up – this will bring us to a successful conclusion, and we won’t end until we achieve the goal.” Dr Vračko reiterated the gratitude of all involved stakehoders for the opportunity to bring this project idea to fruition and thanked CEP for responding to the request to take charge of the preparation and to facilitate implementation of this endeavour.
Ms Jelka Klemenc emphasised that CEP is privileged to have a part in this endeavour and will be able to utilise its vas experience both feom working in the same target country and also from implementating complex multi-stakeholder processes.
During the study visit, the Macedonian delegation will gain further insights into the work of the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia and Slovenian and EU legislation on nursing, as well as the educational frameworks for nurses and midwives and their professional development. The study visit will include visits to the Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care in Jesenice, where the representatives will learn more about the development process of the Angela Boškin Faculty of Healthcare and the building of quality nursing and midwifery education. Following will be the visit to Jesenice General Hospital, where the delegation will observe the nursing educational process in practice. On Wednesday, the agenda will focus on presenting the roles of nurses and midwives in primary health care at the Health Promotion Center in Ljubljana. The visit will conclude with discussions outlining the next steps and actions to be taken upon return to NMK (led by the Project Secretariat at the Ministry of Health NMK) and group discussions on the potential application of Slovenian models to the NMK primary healthcare context.
Check out the photos in the Flickr gallery below:
Project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through the International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia.
