Belgrade Security Forum 2019: Is there hope for justice in a divided world?
Hyatt Regency | Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade Security Forum (BSF)
"From Vienna to Istanbul", the most important security and foreign policy conference in this part of the world; joint initiative of three civil society organizations
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Belgrade Security Forum (BSF)
Belgrade Security Forum certainly represents one of our most significant achievements – starting in 2011, four successful international conferences have been held at the highest level, with the inaugural forum posing the question What Brings Us Together – What Sets Us Apart? – and by that referring to the region’s ever present strategic anxiety.
BSF – now an acronym that is known to many – holds today a firm place on the European map of major security events, right along with the Brussels Forum, GLOBSEC in Bratislava, or the Riga conference.
Organized in cooperation with the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy and the European Movement in Serbia, the BSF has quickly become a point of interaction between the regional security community and European and world leaders, intellectuals and opinion makers, as well as a place of creative exchange and provocative debate about the future.
The purpose of the Belgrade Security Forum is threefold:
- To bring the European and global security debate to the Balkans;
- To discuss Balkan security issues within the European and global security framework; and,
- To present Balkan achievements and dilemmas to the participants in the European and global security debate.
BSF is in many different ways supported by numerous partners and donors. For more information, visit its website www.belgradeforum.org.
Program Events
Every year, BFPE organizes more than 50 events: conferences, round tables, panel discussions, workshops and simulations. Find out more.
As a part of this program
All of our program activities in one place; ideas; analysis; policy proposals; reports from conferences and events that we have organized.
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For Belgrade and Pristina, no lift-off just yet
For eight years running, the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) team insisted on hosting a panel on normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Today it constitutes one part of our program we are particularly proud of. Together with Alex Roinishvili Gr
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 17 Feb 2020
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Is there a united West?
Photo Katie Drazdauskaite When colleagues at Talas invited me to write a text within the series "Serbia and the West: Beyond the EU", I thought a lot about the title they chose. In everyday speech, the West is a geographical, cultural, political and socio-
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 10 Feb 2020
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Integrating the Western Balkans: Completing Future Europe
In anticipation of the European Commission’s proposal of the new enlargement methodology and contributing to the debate about the future of EU integration of Western Balkan countries, a group of leading Serbian think tanks and civil society organizations
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 05 Feb 2020
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Reforming EU accession of Western Balkan countries
Recommendations of seven leading Serbian think tanks and civil society organizations BELGRADE – Seven of the leading Serbian think tanks and civil society organisations have joined the discussion on how to best reform the EU enlargement process in antici
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 04 Feb 2020
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Why Europe: Serbia's security remains indivisible from the EU
Part of Novi magazin's special report http://novimagazin.rs/vesti/zasto-evropa Photo by Osman Rana Serbia's security is inseparable from that of the European Union (EU). The country borders members and candidates for membership. It has been striving for me
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 04 Jan 2020
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Frontex and the Western Balkans: A new actor on the external border of the EU
Photo: Frontex Passenger arriving at Belgrade Airport will witness the following scene: a police officer from one of the European Union (EU) member states, together with colleagues from Serbia, stops and examines documents of other arriving passengers to d
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 07 Nov 2019
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Ninth Belgrade Security Forum: Striving for Justice in a Divided World
Photo: A. Andjic/BSF The biggest mark on this year's forum was made by the EU's decision not to open negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania, which has raised concerns for many panelists about the future of the Western Balkans. BSF participants al
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 28 Oct 2019
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What are the challenges to cooperation between China and the Western Balkans?
With the launch of Belt and Road initiative back in 2013, China has become one of the most important actors in the field of international relations. Belt and Road initiative enabled China to increase its presence in different regions around the world, reac
Advanced political education
Stefan Vladisavljev | 23 Oct 2019
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Who Owns the Future? A Call to (Rebuild) Multilateralism
Milan Simurdic and Marko Savkovic* Photo: AFP Tramp, Xi and Putin versus Europe That the scarecrow of multilateralism circles over East River was plain to see this year, no matter the diplomatic niceties. While Trump insists on patriotism, the European Uni
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 10 Oct 2019
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Volunteers wanted at 2019 Belgrade Security Forum!
The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are pleased to invite enthusiastic and motivated students and graduates from universities, schools and institutes based in Serbia and abroad to join the BSF team for the 9th Belgrade Security Fo
Promotion and networking of leaders
Svetlana Stefanović | 01 Aug 2019
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Download the analytical report from 2018 Belgrade Security Forum!
In anticipation of the 9th Belgrade Security Forum, we have published the analytical report that captures the spirit of the last year's event. Belgrade Security Forum continues to be the leading security conference in this part of Europe, and you can find
Advanced political education
Stefan Vladisavljev | 21 Mar 2019
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Belgrade Security Forum 2019: Striving for Justice in a Divided World
The Ninth Belgrade Security Forum will take place in Belgrade on October 16 -18, 2019 under the title: Striving for Justice in a Divided World. This year, we at Belgrade Security Forum – same as so many around the world – seek justice as a basic human
Advanced political education
Stefan Vladisavljev | 05 Feb 2019
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Departure of Trump's "man for Europe"
Photo by Jason Lam Cynics would say that it could be expected that the Prespa agreement would pass the moment when Wess Mitchell announced that he would be leaving the position of Assistant Secretary of State. It will be, at last, a concrete achievement an
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 31 Jan 2019
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Kosovo Security Force: (un)justified fear of transformation
Photo copyright Associated Press With every day passing it seems more likely that Kosovo's parliament will on the 14 December vote „yes” for three laws that will trigger transformation of Kosovo Security Force into an army. Why is this happening no
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 14 Dec 2018
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Western Balkans to Black Sea: Actors and Drivers of Change and Volatility
Marko Savkovic speaking at AVIM conference in Ankara, 4 December 2017. Images copyright of Centre for Eurasian Studies (AVIM), Ankara When we talk in geographical terms, there is just one Balkans that is the Balkan Peninsula. However, when we talk in polit
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 29 Oct 2018
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New (ab) normality: Sonja Licht’s interview for “Vreme”
Published in “Vreme” no. 1450, 18 October 2018 Text Ivana Milanović Hrašovec Photo copyright Belgrade Security Forum/A. Anđić Translated by Nevena Mančić, BFPE In the run up to the interview, President of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellenc
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 25 Oct 2018
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NATO and Serbia closely cooperating for the progress in the region
The cooperation between Serbia and NATO in maintaining peace and tranquility as the foundational elements of progress is ever more successful and benefits overall economic progress which is an essential need for the citizens through the region, conclusion
Political and social inclusion
Marko Savković | 09 Oct 2018
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Special BSF event: Leadership for a Secure Region
Belgrade Security Forum will be hosting a conversation between Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg and President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić on Monday, 8 October 2018 in Hyatt Regency Belgrade. How will NATO-Serbia relations develo
Promotion and networking of leaders
Ivanka Mihailović | 04 Oct 2018
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How NATO membership has become a necessity for the Western Balkans
Zoran Zaev and Jens Stoltenberg in Skopje. Photo copyright NATO This must sound as a non-starter. More than a decade ago, Serbia proclaimed itself military neutral, first in order to appease the more nationalist, Eurosceptic parties in the government. It
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 03 Sep 2018
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The risk and the price: demarcation and what comes after
Photo taken from info-ks.net In the discussion of the next, supposedly final phase of solving the so-called Kosovo problem, the term "demarcation" was introduced. No one knows what it might imply. But nevertheless the very idea is being criticised. Taking
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 30 Aug 2018
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Kosovo "sheds light" on all other problems
Sonja Licht, President of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence believes that the Kosovo problem must be solved, and that because of this issue Serbia’s hands are tied, not only in relation to the position of the Serb minority in other parts of the
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 08 Aug 2018
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After London: What Next for the Berlin Process?
Results of the London summit were indeed underwhelming. One declaration and one technical agreement signed can be hardly seen as a success. Yet this is the state of regional cooperation. Beyond declarations, leaders conflict over past, present and future.
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 23 Jul 2018
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BSF selects papers and volunteers for its 8th iteration
In the first week of July, Belgrade Security Forum team selected papers for its academic pre-event; think-tank panel; and volunteers, without whom the event would not be possible. This year’s academic event will be organized on October 17, under the titl
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 06 Jul 2018
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Comments on drafts of National Security Strategy and Defense Strategy of the Republic of Serbia
The Working Group for Chapters 30 and 31 of the National Convention on the EU, with the support of other working groups, has made a comprehensive document with comments on the draft Strategies of the National Security and Defence. Document analyses differ
Advanced political education
Ivanka Mihailović | 28 Jun 2018
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Call for BSF volunteers 2018: deadline extended to 15 June!
Image copyright Belgrade Security Forum/A.Andjic The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are pleased to invite enthusiastic and motivated students and graduates from universities, schools and institutes based in Serbia and abroad to join the B
Advanced political education
| 03 May 2018
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Call for think-tankers from the Balkans 2018
Image copyright Belgrade Security Forum/A.Andjic The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are inviting think-tankers from the Western Balkans to provide food for thought papers for discussion on “Balkan 2025 – What Kind of Future Can We E
Advanced political education
| 25 Apr 2018
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Community yes, but what kind of?
The time to reach a compromise on Kosovo seems to be running out. Both sides need a break, but neither will get one. Pressure from Berlin, Brussels and Washington will continue; "Kosovo" - as Vucic himself said at a recently held round of the internal dial
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 12 Apr 2018
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Call for Papers BSF 2018: How conflict sensitive is the EU crisis response?
The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are pleased to invite security scholars and researchers to submit proposal papers for this year’s Academic Event to be held on October 17, 2018 as a part of the BSF. The Academic Event will analyse two
Advanced political education
| 11 Apr 2018
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How realistic is "perspective 2025"?
Image copyright Luca Bravo One month has passed since the publication of the impatience of the long expected document, "Credible Perspective of Enlargement for the Western Balkans". This is not an enlargement strategy, as much as the EU's short and medium-
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 15 Mar 2018
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Eighth Belgrade Security Forum in October on the new normal in international relations
Belgrade Security Forum 2018: Finding Answers Together to the New Normal, to take place from October 17-19 2018, Hotel Hyatt Regency, Belgrade Continuing uncertainty and unpredictability is no longer a form of crisis; unpredictability has become “new nor
Advanced political education
| 02 Mar 2018
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Towards the “new normal” in international relations?
When asked on the state of Russia’s relations with the European Union, the director of the Carnegie Center in Moscow Dmitri Trenin recently said that “the time of crisis has passed”; the “new normal” has taken its place, here to stay for another
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 01 Mar 2018
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I would do it again: Trump voters one year later
From announcing the construction of a wall on the border with Mexico, to United States (USA) Embassy being moved to Jerusalem, the year behind us is no doubt the year of Donald Trump. In the US itself, instability in the executive power has deepened divisi
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 27 Dec 2017
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Licht: Not enough dialogue, politicians resorting to populism
One of the basic principles of democracy is dialogue, which is missing. Citizens have withdrawn into their own microcosm(s), because they are do not see themselves in what is around them, and because of the fear of being punished if they do something that
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 15 Oct 2017
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BSF calls for rebuilding rule of law as a cornerstone of stability in Europe
The 7th Belgrade Security Forum identified erosion of democracy and rule of law as the main crises in Europe. Deepening and rapidly increasing inequalities left many people behind with a feeling that they do not share same space with political, economic an
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 13 Oct 2017
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What defines foreign policy of one country, and what of Serbia?
One of the leading "realists" in understanding international relations, Stephen Walt, has recently dealt with a dilemma that has occupied researchers for decades: what defines the conduct of a state in foreign policy. Inspired by Austin Long's book, "The S
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 28 Sep 2017
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Building a team spirit for the 7th BSF
A preparatory training was held last week for our newly selected volunteers to get to meet the BSF team and get necessary information and skills for organization a successful and stress-free event for all. The volunteers not only had an opportunity to gain
Promotion and networking of leaders
Marko Sibinović | 21 Sep 2017
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Germany before the elections
Many say the German election campaign is boring. Indeed - after the election in America less than a year ago, in the Netherlands and France this year - the elections in Germany leave an impression, at first glance, as if this most powerful country of the E
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 20 Sep 2017
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War games in the times of mistrust: exercise "Zapad 2017"
The military exercise "West 2017" of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus will take place from September 14 to September 20, but their significance and implications in professional circles have been speculated for a good month. How in the analysis of the
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 07 Sep 2017
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La Rambla: another attack on the European way of life
Another attack inspired by radical learning shook the foundation of one of the most visited old cities in Europe, recognized as a global place of interaction, culture and entertainment. Therefore, as the expert close to the author expressed, the attack on
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 24 Aug 2017
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BSF 2017: Building a Common Future in the Age of Uncertainty
Illustration: Belgrade Security Forum new website's front page When it ended with Donald Trump’s victory, 2016 presented less than a clean break with the past, but rather a venture into the unknown. As the old order has been weakened, one thing became ce
Promotion and networking of leaders
| 20 Jul 2017
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What does Russia want: return to the system of "European concert"?
When you type into the Internet search engine "what does Russia want", you will find a great number of similarly titled articles among the results. Western audience's fascination, seeing this country as something culturally "completely different" is now co
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 03 Jul 2017
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How might the next war in the Western Balkans look like
In his regular column for the daily newspaper Blic, Vladimir Djukanovic - MP, member of the delegation of the Serbian Parliament in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and generally one of the more vocal representatives of the ruling coalition on issues of fo
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 08 Jun 2017
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Belgrade Security Forum Call for Think-Tankers from the Balkans
Strategic priority of the BSF is to enable Western Balkan’s contribution to resolving some of the key security issues Europe faces, as well as to enhance debates based on original policy research. Accordingly, we are seeking contributions by think-tanker
Advanced political education
| 05 Jun 2017
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New responsibility of Serbia for the region
Western Balkans (the term we accept as a political construct) is not a "powder keg" waiting to explode. That would be a dangerous simplification, or "spin". It was (and remains) a fantastic part of the world, unique in the multitude of different identitie
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 21 Mar 2017
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Anger, fear and mistrust as movers of modern populism
In an excellent French-made documentary concerned with Barack Obama’s first term in office, one of the most striking moments shows the American President cracking a joke on behalf of Donald Trump, who happened to be present. One term and several years la
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 21 Feb 2017
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Belgrade Security Forum 2015 Conference Report
Belgrade Security Forum 2015 Conference Report is now available. Developments since 2014 have led to the same global interconnectedness that once had us observe globalization with awe now being used to perpetuate conflict. In less than a year we have witne
Advanced political education
| 31 Mar 2016
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Belgrade Security Forum at Munich Security Conference 2016
Belgrade Security Forum team proudly announces that it will be co-hosting the panel “Towards Further Euro-Atlantic Integration” at the prestigious Munich Security Conference. Speakers at the panel discussion will be: Gjorgje Ivanov, President of Maced
Political and social inclusion
| 08 Feb 2016
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CfP: Belgrade Security Forum 2016
Migration, Security and Solidarity within Global Disorder Co-organized by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence and the European Movement in Serbia October 12-14, 2016, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia De
Promotion and networking of leaders
| 30 Jan 2016
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“Soldiering Through”: A Preliminary Assessment of Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship
Photo: OSCE/Jonathan Perfect When in December 2011 Serbia – together with Switzerland – put forward its candidacy for the OSCE Chairmanship, it was seeking wider international affirmation and influence. Belgrade wanted to prove itself as capable of sus
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 03 Dec 2015
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Not Your Ambiguous Neighbor: Croatia’s Entry to the Euro-Atlantic Security Structures and Serbia
This June, BFPE’s Marko Savkovic presented at the conference “Croatia in Contemporary Security Environment – Threats, Challenges and Responses”, organized jointly by Institute for International Relations and Development (IRMO) and the Croatian Def
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 17 Nov 2015
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Greece and the Future of the European Union
On November 4, 2015, the Kozmetsky Center at St. Edward’s University in Austin hosted a forum with leading experts and scholars from Europe and the United States to discuss the Greek financial crisis and the implications of the crisis for the future of t
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 06 Nov 2015
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Europe needs a common vision with Western Balkan countries included
Read the conclusions of the 5th Belgrade Security Forum The organizers of the BSF: Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE), European Movement of Serbia (EMINS) and Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) issue the following conclusions: More Europ
Advanced political education
| 02 Oct 2015
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Belgrade Security Forum appeals for a European solution of the refugee and migration crisis
Firmly believing that the BSF should react to the ineffectiveness of the EU migration policy and indifference and solidarity of some EU member states, Ms. Licht urged all to support and sign the Belgrade Appeal. At the very beginning Ms. Licht expressed
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 01 Oct 2015
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Stronger OSCE field presence, civil society co-operation and human rights focus recommended at PA seminar in Belgrade
Participants at the Belgrade seminar included: Top (left to right): OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver, President Ilkka Kanerva, Serbian Delegation Head Dijana Vukomanovic, BFPE President Sonja Licht Bottom (left to right): Serbian Ambassador Dej
Mixed migration and development
Marko Savković | 28 May 2015
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Islam as a partner in the fight against radicalism
In order to fight radicalism, terrorism and extremism it is not enough to rely on military means; cooperation of the Islamic community should be sought after as well, along with the coordination and exchange of information between security actors, agreed p
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 01 Apr 2015
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Successful Lunch Talk at Robert Bosch Academy with Sonja Licht
Around 25 guests invited by the Robert Bosch Academy discussed the question “Is Serbia opting for EU or Russia?” with Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow and President of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Sonja Licht. On one hand, Serbia is
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 18 Mar 2015
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Sonja Licht is Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy
As of March, President of the BFPE Sonja Licht has started her work as Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy. The Academy is an institution of the Robert Bosch Stiftung headquartered at its Berlin Representative Office in the heart of
Promotion and networking of leaders
Sonja Licht | 17 Mar 2015
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Belgrade Security Forum 2014 is officially closed
The fourth edition of premiere security conference in Western Balkans was closed by the representatives of the three organizing partners: Ms. Sonja Licht of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Ms. Maja Bobić from the European Movement in Serbia, a
Advanced political education
| 03 Oct 2014
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Enabling Key Reforms in the Western Balkans: Lessons from the Negotiation Process
Special side-event at the Belgrade Security Forum 2014: presented by Polish Institute for International Relations (PISM), with the support of the International Visegrad Fund The report – co-authored by twenty experts from the region provided analysis of
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 01 Oct 2014
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Cuts Will Hurt More if They Don’t Start Right Away
Photo: Vesna Lalić for “Blic” Sonja Licht’s interview for daily “Blic” with Tamara Spaic One of the best experts on international relations in our country, consistent in advocating the policy of Serbia joining the EU, Sonja Licht comments on the
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 13 Jul 2014
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Bruno Maçães: Enlargement is a EU policy that brings results
In cooperation and with support of the Embassy of Portugal in Serbia, on Thursday, 3 July, BFPE organized a conversation with the Portuguese State Secretary for European Affairs Mr. Bruno Maçães. In his presentation, attended by close to 70 guests and a
Advanced political education
BFPE Office | 03 Jul 2014
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With great strength come great challenges: Read Sonja Licht’s analysis of election results for Novi magazin weekly
These were the tenth elections for our National Assembly since the introduction of multi-party system in Serbia. Of these elections, seven were “snap”, called early by those in power. It is an impressive result, which hints at all the complexities of a
Advanced political education
Sonja Licht | 25 Mar 2014
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Election results speak of a new consensus emerging in Serbia’s politics
Bratislava, 21 March: The scale of the Serbian Progressive Party’s victory in the 16 March election proved surprising to most panellists of CEPI-organised debate. They discussed the impact of the general election on further development in both the countr
Advanced political education
Marko Savković | 24 Mar 2014
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