5. 3. 2020 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Youth
On 4 March 2020, Jable castle hosted a group of some 40 experts, practitioners, state officials, diplomats, students and civil society representatives to discuss demographic challenges of the Western Balkan (WB) countries in the context of brain drain and possibility of turning it into brain circulation. Organized by Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with Central European Initiative (CEI), the event took place within the framework of Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF).
The closed morning session aimed to outline the demographic challenges of WB region and shed a light on the brain drain, as well as identify good practices and policies. The main guiding questions were: Are there ways to stop the brain drain? Is it productive to think of ways to stop it? How can we turn brain drain into brain circulation? What good practices can EU countries offer in this regards? Are there any state-sponsored activities or programs tackling the issue that could be presented as good practices? Are governments doing something to re-attract skilled workers and highly educated individuals into their home countries? Are countries with a large diaspora in any way profiting from this?
The second part, open to general public, hosted various experts in the field who discussed the conclusions from the first session, as well as offered insights into potential solutions to the brain drain issue. The event was opened by Nina Kodelja, Deputy Secretary General of CEI, who stressed that demographic issues affect the societal tissue profoundly. Katja Geršak, Executive Director of CEP, continued with the presentation of good practices that CEP and Slovenia are implementing through development projects. In addition, Andor Dávid, Executive Director of International Visegrad Fund (IVF) shared some thoughts on entrepreneurship, where he stressed that entrepreneurial and innovation spirit have to be awoken at an early age. He added that IVF activities in the WB region focus on future jobs, which do not exist yet but could offer a new impetus to local communities in the future.
The discussants, Dafina Peci, Secretary General at National Youth Congress of Albania, Jernej Štromajer, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education of Slovenia, and Anja Fortuna, President of National Youth Council of Slovenia, agreed there are numerous reasons to why people decide to move, while we should seek deeper reasons to why this occurs. Healthcare, housing, family policies, educational system, democratic performance, environment policies etc. all play an important role when trying to turn brain drain into brain circulation. They also agreed that governments should, through a mix of different policies, offer incentives for youth to stay in their home countries.
Concluding remarks were offered by Peter Grk, Secretary General of Bled Strategic Forum and National Coordinator for the Western Balkans from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, who stressed that what the WB region is lacking are the “lights” (hope), while currently there are no lights to be turned off, paraphrasing the title of the round table. “Both the EU and WB countries need to stop pretending and start creating favourable conditions for youth in the region”, stressed Grk.
Meliha Muherina, Programme Director of the Young BSF, moderated the event.
Concrete policy recommendations on the topic discussed will follow in the upcoming weeks.
22. 10. 2019 | PR, V4, Youth
Centre for European Perspective, has in cooperation with following Project Partners:
– Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary
– Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia
– EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy; Czech Republic
– Bosnia and Herzegovina Association for United Nations, Bosnia and Herzegovina
– Tomorrow Youth Foundation for Sustainability, Hungary
– BETA-Europe, Poland
– PragueMUN, Czech Republic
and with support of International Visegrad Fund , developed and executed a project, titled YOUNG BSF: YOUTH AS A (FUTURE) (RE)SOURCE. Project consisted of various online meetings, one preparatory meeting held in Sarajevo, main event held alongside Bled Strategic Forum, with final product being production of policy recommendations on current world issues. Topics that the project dealt with have been chosen during the applications procedure, where all the applicants had to answer a question on what do they deem the most important issue pertaining to their country, or their region, and what are some of the solutions for it. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, following four topics have been chosen as those mentioned most commonly by participants from all over the world:
– Impacts of the European integration;
– Sustainable development for Central and Eastern European region;
– Reconciliation as a precondition to regional cooperation;
– Human rights
Participants were honored to be addressed by Mr Andor Dávid, Executive Director of International Visegrad Fund, who engaged into a one-on-one session discussing Western Balkans and IVF role there, youth and sustainability. At the end of the event Mr Dávid also awarded participants with certificates of participation.
Policy recommendations can be found on the following link: Policy Recommendations
Gallery
Young BSF: DAY 1 Young BSF: DAY 2 Young BSF: DAY 3
10. 9. 2019 | Global Education Network Europe, PR, Youth
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language. 
The final event of the project ‘Global Responsibility for the Future’ in which the Center for European Perspective is collaborating as a partner together with the Entrepreneurial Sandbox “Ustvarjalnik” and NGOs: Forum for Equitable Development, SLOGA Platform and HUMANITAS, took place on Monday 9 September under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor. The final event of the project was part of a conference organized by the Entrepreneurial Sandbox “Ustvarjalnik” for the 8th consecutive year, at which the President of the Republic of Slovenia awarded the title “Best Youth Startup 2019”.
This year’s awardee is a twenty-one-year-old student of graphic design at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ms Veronika Rožmanc, who received the award for the multi-function tent in the shape of a whale, Oli. In addition to this award, Veronika Rožmanc also received the “Most Global Responsible Idea” award, which rewards young entrepreneurs for better global entrepreneurship by incorporating sustainable lifestyles including respect for human rights, gender equality, promoting culture of peace and nonviolence, citizenship of the world and respect for cultural diversity.
The project “Global Responsibility for the Future” is financially supported by the European Global Learning Network-GENE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s development cooperation.
28. 8. 2019 | Learning compass, PR, Youth
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language.
Centre for European Perspective is together with Center for Communication, Hearing and Speech, Portorož, Institute for Promotion of Education from Kosovo and ALB – AID Kukes, Albania, organizing a three day training titled “Learning Compass – teacher training for work with children with disabilities”. The training will start with an INFO Day in Prishtina on 4th of September 2019, where an informative session for stakeholders will be held. On 5th of August 2019 participants from Kosovo and Albania will gather in Durresh, Albania, where three Slovenian experts will be holding lectures and interactive workshops on teacher training for work with children with disabilities.
Short info about the project:
In the countries of the Western Balkans, the knowledge of experts and especially teachers for children with special needs (also considering ways of pedagogical work with them) is still very lacking. On the other hand, Slovenia has a great deal of knowledge and practical experience in this field. The similarity of school systems, the historical and geographical connection and the linguistic proximity of most Western Balkan countries facilitates the transfer of knowledge and experience from Slovenia to other countries involved in the proposed project. The project will provide Slovenian knowledge and experience in the field of education and assistance to children with special needs in the Western Balkan countries.
The project that will be implemented in two years and will take place in four countries shall:
- Contribute to improving the situation of children with special needs in primary education;
- Contribute to the development of the school systems of the countries involved;
- Strengthen links and cooperation between teaching staff and educational institutions (involved in the project) of the Western Balkan countries and contributed to the peaceful coexistence in the region.
The project will educate 20 experts in each country (special educators, educators, school counselors) from the countries involved:
- to work with children with disabilities within school systems;
- to disseminate basic knowledge about children with special needs among primary school teachers;
- to implement acquired knowledge of helping professionals with special needs work and to educate primary school teachers about the needs and approaches of children with disabilities.
Initially, the project has established cooperation between the Center for the European Perspective, Slovenian experts working with children with special needs, local decision-makers (competent ministries and school leaders) and local actors working in the field in the target countries. All stakeholders will be involved in preparing an analysis of the current state of inclusiveness of school institutions and working with children with special needs. The analysis of the situation will show where the greatest needs for the transfer of Slovenian good practices are. Content for 3-day workshops will be prepared with participants from four countries (Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina). The 3-day workshops will receive 20 teachers from each country through active lectures and workshops. Two teachers from each country will be further tasked with preparing the so-called Train the Trainer (ToT) workshops, which they will jointly conduct at their school for at least 10 additional teachers. As a result, 40 one-day workshops will be organized to train at least 400 additional teachers.
The first activity of the project will be conducted in Durres, Albania, between 5th and 8th September.
Within the framework of the project, a publication will also be prepared. The lather will analyze the situation in the target countries and, based on the workshops carried out an on the analysis of primary and secondary sources and Slovenian experience, present concrete proposals for improving the situation of working with children with special needs in primary schools.
Through meetings and regular briefing, the project will also involve decision makers (relevant state, federal, regional and / or local ministries of education and school leaders) who will be informed about the project and our activities.
The project is financed from the funds for international development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
7. 8. 2019 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, V4, Youth
Centre for European Perspective has together with Bosnia and Herzegovina Association for United Nations and supported by International Visegrad Fund, organized a 2-day event that opened the floor to youth and civil society of the Western Balkans, V4 and EU, giving them a chance to discuss their concerns, challenges, ideas and prospects with policy makers and experts.
Event was held on 5th and 6th August in Hotel Europe, Sarajevo and was attended by around 50 participants coming from different spheres of the society.
Opening words to the event were delivered by Mr Amer Kapetanović, Head of Political Department at Regional Cooperation Council. Mr Kapetanović stressed the importance of youth and regional cooperation, while also gave some insight into the latest Balkan Barometer, that shows a gloomy situation in the Balkans.
First panel titled “Youth and Euro-Atlantic Integrations of Western Balkans and the role of V4” featured
- Katja Geršak, Director, Centre for European Perspective (CEP)
- Jan Zlatan Kulenović, CEO, Social Innovation Incubator MUNJA
- Dr Filip Radunović, Sector Fund Manager, Open Regional Fund Southeastern Europe – EU Integration, GIZ Sarajevo
- Anna Orosz, Research fellow, Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade (IFAT)
- Vladimír Bartovic, Director, EUROPEUM
and was moderated by Jasmina Banjalučkić, Secretary General, Youth Council of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Panel explored the experience of EU, V4 and WB in better involvement of youth, as well as their role in Euro-Atlantic integrations of WB.
Second panel titled “Let’s talk about Cross-Regional Cooperation: WB6, V4 and EU” featured
- H.E Jakub Skalník, Ambassador of the Czech Republic
- Ms Ágnes Angyal Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Hungary
- H.E Jarosław Lindenberg, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
- Mr Attila Szép, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Slovak Republic
- Borut Valenčič, Charge d’affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
and was moderated by Mak Selimović, President, Bosnia and Herzegovina Association for United Nations, discussed why is cross-regional cooperation important in the SEE region and whether or not the-already-existing cross-regional cooperation between V4 and WB6 can be further developed in resolving complex matters of common interest. Round-table also served as an occasion to asses cross-regional opportunities, threats and obstacles in cooperation. Event was concluded by a reception where all the participants and speakers continued the discussion in an informal atmosphere.
Second day was dedicated to Visegrad Café where each table covered one topic and each table had project representatives who moderated and facilitated the discussion. Public contributed to the discussion on each of the topics and supported it with a pre-prepared set of data, research conclusions and materials. Participants have switched the tables after 30 minutes to converse with a new mix of participants. Once all rounds of conversation were complete, project partner representatives presented the main conclusions of each discussion. Topics discussed were Democratization, Human Rights, Sustainable Development and Reconciliation.
23. 5. 2019 | PR, WB6 Startup academy, Youth
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language.
Young people represent a very active and quick learning part of the society, that is why we have been dedicating quite some activities and projects to them. We especially wanted to activate young entrepreneurs, whose functioning is inherently dependent on cooperation, wide minded thinking and out of the box thinking. Our last project concluded yesterday, when 25 young entrepreneurs from all six Western Balkan countries attended the international startup conference Podim. The whole process of the planning, organization and implementation was prepared through close co-operation with the German development agency GIZ that has crossed our path in our previous engagements for youth. We have named the program Start up Academy – Building the WB6 Unicorn (explanation: unicorn is a term used in startup circles to describe a well-established and well-pitched business idea), and by doing so putting our firm belief in the success of their ideas and the overall region.
The main objective of all the activities was to connect youth in the region, bring peers from neighboring countries closer, to support the development of their business ideas and inspire, support and convince them that many ideas can be realized. But we started step by step. In February we implemented a workshop in Tirana for their main supporters – accelerators, mentors, hubs and university incubators – these are the first institutions that young entrepreneurs with great ideas turn to. We introduced them to the importance of cooperation, openness and highlighted the way the Slovenian startup system is interconnected. Then we invited young entrepreneurs with interesting business ideas. During two workshops, in Niksic and Pristina, and with strong mentorship between them, we have been improving, building and working on the presentation of 17 business ideas. Better understanding of business plans, different types of investments, sales approaches and marketing were some of the many topics on the agenda, together with training on knowing the advantages of each enterpreneur, their competition and deficiencies on the way of their business ideas. We have also been discussing the importance of cooperation, pitching and connections – all with great aim that everyone involved in our workshops would have no problem presenting their idea in a short and understandable way. And that was the main goal of our last gathering – to present their idea, team and also themselves in an excellent and clear manner – first in Ljubljana in front of Slovene investors and Business Angels Club of Slovenia, and later in Maribor, at the Podim conference.
We have implemented our last workshop through 25 youngsters that have represented their 15 ideas from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. Some have been pitching in front of the investors, some have been competing at the Podim Challenge and have been listed among the top 20, some have presented their products, talked to potential investors, met new partners, surprised their competitors – and used the largest international startup conference in the region in the way that best benefited the growth of their business ideas.
From workshop to workshop, young entrepreneurs showed more energy, interest, enthusiasm and desire for advancement, which at the end fueled excellent pitches. That was the main goal of all our activities, and at the same time key to all the future steps for young entrepreneurs that will without a doubt support and boost the whole startup scene in the region, that has also through our support become better connected, united and is working in a more cooperative manned.
This project is part of the activities supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through the Slovenia’s Development Cooperation.
