European Talks: Recent Episodes
European Talks
European Talks podcast is a short form conversation that aims to untangle difficult questions on various topics related to Serbia’s relations with the EU and its member states, by talking to experts, diplomats, and other relevant actors. Whether you are a researcher, a politician, or just genuinely curious about the topic, European Talks podcast will provide you with valuable ideas, answers as well as new questions.
The producer is European Policy Centre - CEP, non-governmental, non-profit, independent think tank based in Belgrade.
In this episode Fitim Gashi, Executive Director at Sbunker and Dr Marko Savković, Senior Advisor in ISAC Fund, discuss the stalled Kosovo*–Serbia dialogue, highlighting ongoing crises, low trust, and limited progress in implementing agreements. It examines the EU’s role, key political obstacles, and rising regional tensions, concluding that without stronger political will and clearer direction, meaningful normalization remains unlikely.
In this episode of European Talks, the podcast of the European Policy Centre (CEP Belgrade), host Milos Pavković explores the future of EU enlargement and the fight against corruption in the Western Balkans.Together with Luisa Chiodi of the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa and Miloš Đorđević from Transparency International Serbia, the discussion examines the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility, the risks of “box-ticking” reforms, public procurement transparency, and the state of anti-corruption efforts in Serbia and the wider region.The episode reflects on political will, institutional independence, civil society pressure, and citizen movements as key drivers of sustainable rule-of-law reforms on the path toward EU membership.
In our new European Talks episode, we sat down with Ms. Bojana Bajić, Public Policies Innovations and Digitalization Officer at Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) to talk about service delivery and digitalisation and what the key takeaways are for the Western Balkans.
In this episode of #EuropeanTalks we are talking to Jeta Xharra, Country Director for Kosovo and Editor-in-Chief at BIRN., We examine the state of the Serbia–Kosovo dialogue following the 2023 Agreement and its limited implementation. From symbolic breakthroughs to stalled commitments, the discussion explores what has (and hasn’t) changed on the ground — including license plates, energy, and mutual recognition. The conversation also tackles nationalism, regional security concerns, the role of the EU and the U.S., and whether genuine normalization is possible in today’s political climate.
Koja prava potrošača su najugroženija u Srbiji? Ko spada u „ranjive“ potrošače? Koje su najčešće prevare, zloupotrebe i poteškoće sa kojima se susreću socijalno ugroženi i stariji potrošači. Kako državne institucije i civilno društvo u Srbiji sarađuju na zaštiti prava ugroženih potrošača, a šta bi još mogli da učine?O svemu ovome slušajte u novoj epizodi našeg podkasta posvećenoj ugroženim potrošačima u kojem razgovaramo sa Petrom Bogosavljevićem, predsednikom Pokreta za zaštitu potrošača Srbije.Podkast epizoda je objavljena u okviru projekta Unapređenje položaja potrošača kroz jačanje politike konkurencije, koji sprovodi Centar za evropske politike u okviru projekta EU Resurs Centar za civilno društvo u Srbiji koji realizuje Beogradska otvorena škola, a podržava Evropska unija. Stavovi izneti u podkastu ne odražavaju nužno stavove Evropske unije.
Zašto su potrošačka prava zapravo prava malog čoveka? Šta je u Nacrtu novog Zakona o zaštiti potrošača dobro, a šta loše za građane? Šta svako od nas može da preduzme da poboljša svoj položaj na tržištu? Kakvu pravnu zaštitu regulatorni okvir u Srbiji pruža potrošačima? Koje izmene Srbija treba da usvoji na putu ka Evropskoj uniji? Koja potrošačka prava se najčešće krše?O svemu ovome slušajte u novoj epizodi našeg podkasta posvećenoj pravima potrošača u kojem razgovaramo sa Jovanom Ristićem, pravnikom u Udruženju potrošača i bankarskih korisnika Efektiva.Podkast epizoda je objavljena u okviru projekta Unapređenje položaja potrošača kroz jačanje politike konkurencije, koji sprovodi Centar za evropske politike u okviru projekta EU Resurs Centar za civilno društvo u Srbiji koji realizuje Beogradska otvorena škola, a podržava Evropska unija. Stavovi izneti u podkastu ne odražavaju nužno stavove Evropske unije.
In the new episode of the #REACHingCitizens podcast, we talk with Andro Demiri, a law student and young activist from Rijeka, who took part in a local consultation in Rijeka and a national consultation in Zagreb as part of the REACH project.Andro shares what motivated him to participate, how he experienced the discussions on the rule of law, the environment, and the European Union, and how he views the potential of mandatory voting as a way to increase citizens' political participation.He places special emphasis on the role of young people in democratic processes, the importance of civic education and engagement, and the challenges youth face today – from apathy to a lack of opportunities – while also highlighting Rijeka as a community that offers many opportunities for young people.Through his own experience in the European Youth Parliament of Croatia and his collaboration with numerous organizations, Andro shares insights into how participation can become a part of everyday community life.
In this episode of our #REACHingCitizens podcast we are talking to Vladimir Krasenov, a legal advisor in a local law firm in Bulgaria. Through our talk, we explore the effects of AI on the current political situation, as well as discussing what the future of law in the European Union.
In this episode, we dive back into the local consultation of the Reinventing Engagement through Citizens’ Consultations (REACH) project, held in Dijon on January 25th. Our conversation brings together two participants of this consulation, Gaëlle Boucher, a teacher in Dijon, and Roman Sobine, a student at the Dijon campus of SciencesPo, with whom we reflected on the consultation, on the recommendations that emerged from the discussions, and on the vision French people have on the environment, the rule of law, and the enlargement of the EU. This initiative, led by CEP, aims at strengthening the voice of citizens in the European decision-making process, both within the EU and in candidate countries.
In this episode, we dive back into the local consultation of the Reinventing Engagement through Citizens’ Consultations (REACH) project, held in Paris on March 3rd. Our conversation brings together two insightful participants, Anne-Sophie de Quercize, a former teacher specialising in the history of religions and Jules Paindessous, a young project engineer, with whom we reflected on the consultation: how it unfolded, the key themes discussed—environment, the rule of law, and EU enlargement—and the recommendations formulated by citizens. This initiative, led by CEP, aims at strengthening the voice of citizens in the European decision-making process, both within the EU and in candidate countries.
In this episode, we dive back into the local consultation of the Reinventing Engagement through Citizens’ Consultations (REACH) project, held in Dijon on January 25th. Our conversation brings together two participants of this consulation, Gaëlle Boucher, a teacher in Dijon, and Roman Sobine, a student at the Dijon campus of SciencesPo, with whom we reflected on the consultation, on the recommendations that emerged from the discussions, and on the vision French people have on the environment, the rule of law, and the enlargement of the EU. This initiative, led by CEP, aims at strengthening the voice of citizens in the European decision-making process, both within the EU and in candidate countries.
Welcome to our podcast series, REACHing Citizens, part of the “Reshaping Engagement through Affirmative Citizen Consultations (REACH)” project. Launched in 2024 and funded by the European Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), the REACH project brings together organisations from across Europe, including Serbia, Belgium, Kosovo, BiH, Bulgaria, France, Croatia, and Greece.In this episode, we welcome Vladimir Krasenov, a young Bulgarian legal advisor with a strong interest in the European Union (EU) and its legal system. Vladimir became involved with the REACH project after attending a local citizen consultation in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in November 2024. He also contributed an article to the Mladirini youth portal titled “The rule of law and the U.S. elections: The influence of perspectives as a premise of people’s decisions.”In the podcast, Vladimir explores recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and their implications for the rule of law in the EU, with a focus on Bulgaria. He discusses core legal principles such as respect for human rights, regulatory enforcement, transparency, and fairness in the application of law.Vladimir begins by examining how AI is transforming society, particularly in education and business. While these changes offer significant benefits, they also pose major risks. In the legal field, AI enhances efficiency—streamlining legal research, improving contract analysis, detecting infringements, and reducing fraud. Yet serious concerns remain, especially around lack of transparency, difficulty verifying algorithmic impartiality, and risks of bias in automated decision-making.The conversation then shifts to the role of the EU and other global players in shaping and regulating AI. Vladimir highlights the significance of the AI Act, approved by the European Parliament in 2024. This legislation marks a major step in safeguarding citizens from AI-related risks. It categorises AI systems by risk level, with those posing an “unacceptable risk” (i.e. violating fundamental rights) subject to strict limitations. The Act also addresses privacy protection and copyright concerns.However, Vladimir notes the challenges the EU faces in competing with global tech powers like the US and China. While the US dominates with firms like OpenAI and Google, China invests heavily in AI giants such as DeepSeek. These countries are in a race to advance AI capabilities, often pushing the boundaries of regulation. The US lacks comprehensive ethical guidelines, while China’s approach raises serious privacy issues, particularly through biometric surveillance technologies used for state control. These tools collect and analyse facial data on a massive scale, yet the storage, use, and oversight of this data remain opaque.Vladimir warns that adopting such technologies in Europe could severely undermine privacy rights, especially for vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Without robust legal safeguards, AI could threaten the foundational values of the EU.To realise AI’s potential while mitigating its risks, Vladimir stresses the importance of public awareness and engagement. European citizens and policymakers must stay informed and actively participate in discussions on AI. Ethical, transparent, and rights-respecting AI development is crucial. According to Vladimir, the guiding principles must be transparency, fairness, and accountability.
In this episode of the #REACHingCitizens podcast, we talk about the impressions from our final citizen consultations in Greece. What can we expect in the future, what are the final thoughts?
U jedanaestoj epizodi "REACHing citizens" podkasta razgovaramo sa Jelenom Mihajlović o stavu omladine prema EU integracijama, aktuelnim problemima i potencijalnim rešenjima za trenutno nepoverenje u državne institucije.
U ovoj podkast epizodi, desetoj epizodi u našem "REACHing Citizens" podkastu, razgovaramo sa učesnicom lokalnih građanskih konsultacija u Nišu, Marijom Ružić, o utiscima i stavu građana prema EU i njihovom stavu prema temama poput dobre vladavine, ekologije i EU integracija.
In this episode, we sit down with two participants from our local consultation in Gjakova to reflect on youth perspectives in Kosovo. They share candid thoughts on the rule of law, EU integration, and environmental issues—highlighting both hope and frustration. From mistrust in the justice system to the promise of renewable energy, we explore how young people see Kosovo’s future and their role in shaping it.This episode was filmed in Albanian. Link for the English transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:5e63cf14-996f-4eca-bfbc-8d9b82d3d497
Our guest is Ornela Sollakou, one of the participants from our second event in Thessaloniki. We discuss tensions surrounding the 2018 Prespa Agreement, the migration crisis and the integration of migrants in Greek society, and finally how the EU has come to mean something abstract and bureaucratic to citizens. Ornela shares her thoughts on why these things came up in the event and why people felt strongly about them. She also relays when she felt disappointed by opinions expressed and when she related to others.
In this episode of the European Talks, CEP's host Miloš Pavković sits down with Alexandra Karppi, a Policy Analyst at Freedom House and co-author of the latest Nations in Transit report and Nikola Burazer, Program Director of the Centre for Contemporary Politics and the author of the Nations in Transit report for Serbia. Together, they explore the pressing challenges facing democracy globally, with a particular focus on the democratic backsliding evident in Central Europe, Central Asia, and the Western Balkans. Burazer emphasises key democratic challenges in Serbia and analyses the latest Enlargement Package of the EU. Karppi shares insights from the 2023 Nations in Transit report, highlighting a concerning two-decade-long trend of democratic decline. The conversation delves into how authoritarian regimes have grown more entrenched, impacting democratic institutions worldwide and intensifying geopolitical tensions.Karppi discusses the unique regional dynamics observed in the Western Balkans, where issues like weakening independent media, compromised judicial systems, and rampant corruption have led to stagnant or regressive democratic outcomes. This thought-provoking dialogue also addresses the nuanced classification of “hybrid regimes” in the Balkans and how countries like Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia face distinct obstacles that hinder their democratic progression.Pavković and Karppi reflect on the role of international bodies like the European Union and the Council of Europe in addressing these challenges. With a recent EU report grading Montenegro as the region’s top-performing democracy, they discuss whether external evaluations and support can spur meaningful reforms.Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of the regional and global challenges to democracy and why supporting civil society, independent journalism, and the rule of law remains essential to reversing these trends. Whether you’re a policymaker, activist, or simply concerned about the state of global democracy, this episode offers invaluable insights into the democratic resilience needed for the years ahead.
In this episode of WeBER Talks, Miloš Đinđić sits down with Dimitar Vrglevski from North Macedonia’s Center for Change Management to discuss the public administration reform in North Macedonia. They talk about sectoral monitoring process, which evaluates the application of the EU Sigma principles within specific institutions. Dimitar shares his findings from his latest report on the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth in North Macedonia providing a data-backed perspective on the challenges of increasing transparency and accountability in the region's public administration. This conversation sheds light on the complex landscape of reform efforts and the role of research in assessing public sector performance in the North Macedonia and across the Western Balkans.For more information about Dimitar's insitution, Center for Change Management, please visit: cup.org.mkHis report, as well as the others reports, will soon be published on www.par-monitor.org
In this episode of European Talks by the European Policy Centre, host Miloš Pavković sits down with Stefan Ristovski, a researcher with expertise in regional cooperation, economic reform, and the EU integration of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans. The discussion centres on the European Commission’s latest enlargement package, providing a thorough analysis of the democratic landscape, regional reforms, and the future of EU accession for the Western Balkans.Ristovski offers a critical look at the European Commission’s evolving approach in its 2024 reports, highlighting both the package’s more direct language and its selective focus on certain countries. While Moldova and Montenegro receive positive feedback for electoral reforms, North Macedonia faces concerns about political polarisation and challenges in democratic institution-building. Ristovski reflects on the current political climate in North Macedonia, which has been marked by a recent government change and stalled accession talks due to unresolved issues with Bulgaria, leading to delayed EU negotiations.The conversation also dives into the regional assessment variances between EU, Freedom House, and V-Dem reports, noting the Commission’s new “mostly satisfactory” assessment for North Macedonia, compared to Freedom House’s classification as a hybrid regime. Ristovski discusses the need for standardised reporting on civil oversight in intelligence sectors and questions the transparency of the Commission’s evaluative framework.Looking to the future, Pavkovic and Ristovski explore the potential pathways and challenges for North Macedonia’s EU membership, especially in light of the EU's 2030 enlargement target, where Montenegro currently leads. Although optimistic, Ristovski š the importance of North Macedonia’s commitment to democratic reform, even if the 2030 goal is ambitious.This episode is supported by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Policy Center, and other regional partners, aiming to foster insightful dialogue on the pressing issues shaping the future of EU integration in the Western Balkans.
This episode of WeBER Talks is dedicated to economic growth challenges and opportunities for the Western Balkans. WeBER 3.0 guest is Nicola Pontara, Country Manager of the World Bank in Serbia. He talked with Milena Mihajlović, CEP Programme Director and WeBER 3.0, about the region's future and how reforms, governance, and technology can propel the Western Balkans toward convergence with the EU.1. Growth Slowdown & Socioeconomic Divergence: While the Western Balkans experienced solid growth in the early 2000s, the region has struggled to maintain momentum post-2008. Nicola highlights the "golden period" between 2000 and 2008 but warns that without significant reforms, convergence with the EU could stretch as far as 2093 in a pessimistic scenario. 2. Governance Deficit: Poor governance remains a significant roadblock. Nicola emphasizes that countries in the region must focus on improving the rule of law, combating corruption, and increasing government accountability to accelerate growth and reduce the trust gap with their citizens. 3. The Role of State-Owned Enterprises: The discussion provides a key insight into the incomplete transition to market economies in the region. Many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) still dominate critical sectors like energy, limiting the private sector's potential to drive growth. Privatization and the introduction of market competition are seen as crucial steps forward. 4. Digital Transition & Innovation as Key Catalysts: Excitingly, digital transformation can help bridge the institutional and governance gaps. Serbia has become a leader in digital innovation, spearheading initiatives in AI, biotech, and IT services. The region can leverage this momentum to modernize public services, increase transparency, and reduce bureaucracy. 5. Youth, Women & Brain Drain: Nicola calls for urgent reforms to integrate young people and women into the workforce. Improving educational curricula and fostering labour market flexibility will prevent further brain drain and ensure that economic benefits are more inclusive. Looking forward, both experts agree that focusing on second-generation reforms is vital: deepening financial markets, boosting regional trade and connectivity, investing in human capital, and addressing the urgent need for green transition and sustainable development. While challenges persist, especially in governance and institutional reforms, there is hope that with the right policies and an embrace of digital transformation, the region can achieve sustained growth and converge with the EU in the coming decades.Find out more - www.par-monitor.org
This episode explores how design thinking could transform public administration. Come hear from our trainers, Nikola Rajić and Deniz Hoti, as they discuss their observations from a recent two-day design thinking training session with WeBER grantees. Understand design thinking's fundamental concepts, how it may be applied to public services, and how it allows civil society organisations in the Western Balkans to contribute to better governance. This episode is full of insightful lessons, motivational stories, and useful suggestions for anyone looking to modernise public administration using a human-centred methodology. Listen in to learn how design thinking can improve and reinvent public services!More about WeBER: www.par-monitor.org
In this 11th episode of WeBER2.0 podcast, a special edition of European Talks focusing on the EU integration of the Western Balkans, host Miloš Đinđić, Programme Manager of the European Policy Centre, Belgrade, and WeBER Lead Researcher, welcomes a distinguished guest, Professor Kalypso Nicolaïdis. Professor Nicolaïdis is the Chair of Global Affairs at the EUI School of Transnational Governance in Florence, and her contributions to the field of International Relations and European integration are remarkable.During this engaging conversation, Professor Nicolaïdis shares her extensive insights into various aspects of European integration, global affairs, and democratic theory. With her wealth of knowledge in these domains, she explores the relevance of citizens' consultations and the role they play in WeBER's initiatives. The Democratic Odyssey, a groundbreaking project, serves as a blueprint for our discussion, offering valuable insights into the future of citizen engagement in the Western Balkans.Join us in this enlightening conversation as we delve into the exciting realm of democratic participation and its potential to shape the future of the Western Balkan region. We are delighted to have Professor Nicolaïdis on board for this inspiring episode. Visit her website for more information: www.kalypsonicolaidis.com***www.par-monitor.org
In the tenth episode of WeBER Talks, we welcome Ms. Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute (EPI) in Skopje, a member of the Think for Europe Network and WeBER partner from North Macedonia.With her extensive background in Politics and International Studies, Ms. Kacarska provided unique insights into the world of deliberative polling (DP) and its relevance in our region. Delving into her experience, we explore the inception and implementation of DP, uncovering valuable lessons and takeaways. Simonida highlights the vital resources necessary for successful DP endeavours, discussing the human, financial, and time-related aspects. She also sheds light on the key challenges that Western Balkan CSOs, think tanks and research organizations might encounter when embarking on their own DP journeys.Discover how DP can lead to informed public opinion and affect advocacy in the region, ultimately influencing decision-makers.To learn more about the work of EPI, please visit: www.epi.org.mk.***www.par-monitor.org
U novoj epizodi ovog serijala, naša gošća je bila Jelena Stefanović, turistički vodič, avanturistička travel blogerka i influenserka. S diplomama iz marketinga i turizma, ona je pravi spoj kreativnosti i ljubavi prema putovanjima.
Kako je Jelena završila u Veneciji? Šta je doživela tamo i kako je to oblikovalo njenu viziju budućnosti?
Sa njom razgovaramo o iskustvu života u drugoj zemlji, kao i tome gde vidi svoju budućnost, budući da je njena karijera sve samo ne obična - i kako je to imati posao koji nije "od 9 do 5" i koji je ne vezuje za jedno konkretno mesto. Pored toga, Jelena mladim ljudima koji razmišljaju o studijama ili poslu van matične zemlje daje savete koji će im sigurno pomoći da donesu odluke koje će oblikovati njihovu budućnost.
U serijalu „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” razgovaramo sa cirkularnim migrantima različitih obrazovnih kategorija i profila i fokusiramo na pronalaženje načina za povećanje broja cirkularnih migranata u cilju prevencije depopulacije. Serijal pruža zanimljiv uvid u iskustva mladih ljudi iz Srbije koji trenutno žive ili su živeli u inostranstvu u prethodnim godinama, kao i u različite perspektive o migraciji i njenom uticaju na društvo.
Projekat „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” sprovode Fondacija za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN i Centar za evropske politike – CEP. Projekat se realizuje uz finansijsku pomoć Evropske unije.
U novoj epizodi ovog serijala, naš gost je bio doktor medicinskih nauka, Vladan Čokić. On je magistrirao na medicinskoj genetici i doktorirao na hematologiji Medicinskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Beogradu, a poslediplomske studije obavio na Nacionalnim institutima za zdravlje u Americi, gde je i živeo do 2004, nakon čega se vratio u Srbiju. Sa njim razgovaramo o razlozima njegovog povratka i razlikama između života i rada u Srbiji i u SAD-u, zašto se i kada odlučio za budućnost ovde, kao i šta bi savetovao mladima koji razmišljaju o studijama ili poslu van matične zemlje. U serijalu „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” razgovaramo…
U novoj epizodi ovog serijala, naša gošća je bila Maša Sladojević. Maša od pre nekoliko meseci živi i radi u Srbiji, nakon života provedenog u Austriji.
Sa njom razgovaramo o tome kako se Srbija razlikuje od Austrije, zašto se i kada odlučila na budućnost ovde, gde planira svoju budućnost, i šta bi savetovala mladima koji razmišljaju o studijama ili poslu van matične zemlje.
U serijalu „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” razgovaramo sa cirkularnim migrantima različitih obrazovnih kategorija i profila i fokusiramo na pronalaženje načina za povećanje broja cirkularnih migranata u cilju prevencije depopulacije. Serijal pruža zanimljiv uvid u iskustva mladih ljudi iz Srbije koji trenutno žive ili su živeli u inostranstvu u prethodnim godinama, kao i u različite perspektive o migraciji i njenom uticaju na društvo.
Projekat „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” sprovode Fondacija za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN i Centar za evropske politike – CEP. Projekat se realizuje uz finansijsku pomoć Evropske unije.
U trećoj epizodi ovog serijala, naša gost je bio Predrag Đorđević. Predrag trenutno živi i radi u Srbiji, nakon završenih osnovnih studija u Srbiji i razmene i mastera u Austriji, Nemačkoj i Italiji. Sa njim razgovaramo o tome kako je živeti i raditi u drugoj zemlji, koliko se druge zemlje razlikuju od Srbije, gde planira svoju budućnost, i šta bi savetovao mladima koji razmišljaju o studijama ili poslu van matične zemlje.Podkast „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” u kojoj razgovaramo sa cirkularnim migrantima različitih obrazovnih kategorija i profila i fokusiramo na pronalaženje načina za povećanje broja cirkularnih migranata u cilju prevencije depopulacije. Serijal pruža zanimljiv uvid u iskustva mladih ljudi iz Srbije koji trenutno žive ili su živeli u inostranstvu u prethodnim godinama, kao i u različite perspektive o migraciji i njenom uticaju na društvo.Projekat „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” sprovode Fondacija za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN i Centar za evropske politike – CEP. Projekat se realizuje uz finansijsku pomoć Evropske unije.
In this episode of WeBER Talks, we host Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, Director of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), a regional organisation that supports PAR in the Western Balkans.Ms. Handjiska-Trendafilova shares her extensive experience in the EU integration and regional cooperation processes, having worked on various policy areas, including the Regional Economic Area and Common Regional Market agendas. She discusses ReSPA's approach to fostering regional cooperation and exchange, as well as the organization's current initiatives, including the Regional CAF Centre, which aims to improve public services through quality management.Join us for this insightful conversation on the importance of regional networking and cooperation in PAR and how ReSPA is contributing to this process in the Western Balkans. For more information about ReSPA, please visit their website at respaweb.eu.For more information about WeBER, visit > par-monitor.org
U drugoj epizodi ovog serijala, naša gošća je bio Katarina Ćuković, Katarina trenutno živi i radi u Danskoj, nakon završenih osnovnih studija u Srbiji i mastera u Nemačkoj. Sa njom razgovaramo o tome kako je živeti i raditi u drugoj zemlji, koliko se Danska razlikuje od Srbije, gde planira svoju budućnost, i šta bi savetovala mladima koji razmišljaju o studijama ili poslu van matične zemlje.Podkast „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” u kojoj razgovaramo sa cirkularnim migrantima različitih obrazovnih kategorija i profila i fokusiramo na pronalaženje načina za povećanje broja cirkularnih migranata u cilju prevencije depopulacije. Serijal pruža zanimljiv uvid u iskustva mladih ljudi iz Srbije koji trenutno žive ili su živeli u inostranstvu u prethodnim godinama, kao i u različite perspektive o migraciji i njenom uticaju na društvo.Projekat „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” sprovode Fondacija za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN i Centar za evropske politike – CEP. Projekat se realizuje uz finansijsku pomoć Evropske unije.
Dobrodošli u novu kategoriju podkasta „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” u kojoj razgovaramo sa cirkularnim migrantima različitih obrazovnih kategorija i profila i fokusiramo na pronalaženje načina za povećanje broja cirkularnih migranata u cilju prevencije depopulacije. Serijal pruža zanimljiv uvid u iskustva mladih ljudi iz Srbije koji trenutno žive ili su živeli u inostranstvu u prethodnim godinama, kao i u različite perspektive o migraciji i njenom uticaju na društvo.U prvoj epizodi novog serijala, gost je bio Đorđe Dimitrov, trenutno stažista u Centru za evropske politike. Sa njim razgovaramo o njegovom iskustvu boravka u inostranstvu, studiranju i praksama koje je obavio, razlozima za povratak i planovima za budućnost.Projekat „Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije!” sprovode Fondacija za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN i Centar za evropske politike – CEP. Projekat se realizuje uz finansijsku pomoć Evropske unije. Za više informacija: www.fren.org.rs / www.cep.org.rs
In this episode, recorded within WeBER2.0, our guest is Mr Gregor Virant, Head of SIGMA, an initiative of the OECD and the EU.The Principles of Public Administration were developed by SIGMA in order to define requirements for a well-functioning public administration in each of the core areas. Now, SIGMA principles are being reformed themseves. Why and how? Milena Lazarević, European Policy Centre – CEP Programme Director and WeBER2.0 initiative Team Leader, talks about that in conversation with Gregor, and also discussing the lessons learned after many years of experience in the region.Find out more about WeBER2.0 here: par-monitor.org.
In this episode, recorded on the margins of the Third WeBER Regional "Citizens First" Conference, our guest is Admirim Aliti, Minister of Information Society and Administration of North Macedonia.
In a conversation with Milena Lazarević, European Policy Centre – CEP Programme Director and WeBER2.0 initiative Team Leader, he reflects on North Macedonia's Public Administration Reform Strategy's achievements. While talking about them, he highlighted that countries should not perform reforms solely for the sake of the EU integration process but primarily for the citizens.
Cyber-security issues of digitalized services and the necessity of utilizing the CSO's potential for better policymaking were also discussed.
Find out more about WeBER2.0 here: par-monitor.org.
The 2022 Italian general elections were held in Italy on 25 September 2022, after the fall of the Draghi government. The centre-right coalition led by Giorgia Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy, a radical-right political party with neo-fascist roots, won an absolute majority of seats in the Italian Parliament.
Why did the right-wing coalition win the majority in Italy? What does this have to do with the events of the past few years? What does this mean for the future of Italy and Europe?
Our guest is Marina Dosijanoski, an Italian with Macedonian roots. She is an Alumna of the College of Europe and she is currently pursuing a traineeship at the European Policy Centre(CEP).
Srbija se suočava sa ozbiljnim problemom emigracije. Globalni indeks konkurentnosti 2018–2019. svrstao je Srbiju na 134. mesto od 137 rangiranih zemalja u kontekstu njene sposobnosti da zadrži talenat ili spreči „odliv mozgova“. Mnogi sektori u Srbiji su pogođeni trendom povećane emigracije kvalifikovanih radnika kao što su medicinske sestre, lekari, vozači itd. Bolji uslovi rada i perspektive za razvoj karijere koje se nude u razvijenim zemljama, posebno u EU, su najčešći faktori privlačenja radnika u datu zemlju.
Sa Ivanom Brkljačem, direktorom "Tačke povratka" pričamo o cirkularnim migrantima - motivaciji za njihov povratak, preprekama, pomoći koja im je potrebna, programi podrške Vlade, kao i o tome šta "Tačka povratka" radi.
Više o "Tački povratka": www.tackapovratka.rs
Ovaj podkast je snimljen u okviru projekta "Cirkularne migracije pre depopulacije" koji CEP sprovodi sa Fondacijom za razvoj ekonomske nauke – FREN.
Više o projektu: cep.org.rs/projects/cirkularne-migracije-pre-depopulacije
The countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe have been facing several different crises in recent years, which lead to, in some countries, the phenomenon of shrinking space for civil society, populist policies and authoritarian leaders. All this is interconnected with the raising the level of corruption, which is further related to the weakening of democracies, and as a consequence, we have reduced trust of citizens, non-functional and non-transparent public administrations and captured states.
Setting the principle of citizens' trust and the supreme value of democracy as the best path that humanity has discovered for building a successful society that has citizens in the focus, and which never reaches the goal but is constantly improving, Mr Ruslan Stefanov, Director of the Economics Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and manager of the CSD's SELDI network reminds civil society that it is necessary to have responsible leaders at the top, independent institutions that control them, and governments willing to cooperate with civil society and experts.
Host: Milos Djindjic, lead researcher of the WeBER2.0 Initiative.
SELDI is an initiative of some 30 think- tanks and NGOs in South-Eastern Europe seeking to achieve better governance in the region.
Find out more about SELDI's work here: seldi.net
Find out more about WeBER2.0 here: par-monitor.org
The European Union and national governments should provide citizens with a safe and democratic digital space in collaboration with civil society actors. The rationale behind the digital spaces should not only be profit-making, but also a public service that strengthens democracy by enabling safe communication and participation as well as protection of people’s privacy. In building digital infrastructure, safety, resilience and societal impact on communities should be prioritised. European youth plays an important role in promoting such values.
We are proud to present you the last episode of the new mini-series of five podcast episodes within our MladiRini Talks, achieved in cooperation with the EU Balkans Forum. We wanted to give you an opportunity to hear what their experiences were, what they learned, and what are the common problems that young people from the EU and the Western Balkans share.
In the last episode, our guests were the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, and Đorđe Manov, a student of the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade. He was included in Working group 5: Many societies, one virtual space.
How do the youth see the issue of creating one virtual space as integral to the process of EU enlargement and European integration? Being the most media literate generation, should the youth be completely in charge of this process?
Subscribe to European Talks and do not miss our next episodes!
More information: www.mladirini.org / www.eubalkanforum.org
We are proud to present you a new mini-series of five podcast episodes within our MladiRini Talks, achieved in cooperation with the EU Balkans Forum.
EU Balkans Forum is an opportunity for youth from the entire European continent to discuss common issues, face policymakers and mobilize new energies from below, facilitating the emergence of a young transnational network to engineer new initiatives and bring about fresh views on both the EU and Balkan integration. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Study Center for International Politics from Rome, and the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa were involved in the creation and work of the forum. The forum was financially supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Within this initiative, two university students for each of the 27 UE Member States and four from each of the Western Balkans 6 countries gathered together in Rome to discuss topics on the importance of the Western Balkans and the EU. They were divided into five working groups.
Now, you have an opportunity to hear what their experiences were, what they learned, what are the common problems that young people from the EU and the Western Balkans share.
In the fourth episode, our guests were the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, and Veljko Ristić, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade. He was included in Working group 4: One Market, Many Challenges.
In the WB-6, the public sector does not always serve the needs of citizens and companies, because of a lack of transparency and persistent inefficiencies. All too often, products from the WB-6 face barriers that prevent them from reaching consumers in the EU-27 markets. Youth inactivity rates in the labour market remain high. The prospect of EU integration has lost credibility in the whole region due to profound doubts about admitting new members in some EU capitals, creating a dangerous vacuum for nationalist projects.
Did the Western Balkan youth encounter that the participants from the region had different views on the discussed issues from the colleagues from the EU? How hard was it to come to conclusions and recommendations? And what was the main point that youth took away from being participants in this WG?
Find out in this episode!
The new episode will arrive every Monday at 14.00.
Subscribe to European Talks and do not miss our next episodes!
More information: www.mladirini.org / www.eubalkanforum.org
We are proud to present you a new mini-series of five podcast episodes within our MladiRini Talks, achieved in cooperation with the EU Balkans Forum.
EU Balkans Forum is an opportunity for youth from the entire European continent to discuss common issues, face policymakers and mobilize new energies from below, facilitating the emergence of a young transnational network to engineer new initiatives and bring about fresh views on both the EU and Balkan integration. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Study Center for International Politics from Rome, and the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa were involved in the creation and work of the forum. The forum was financially supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Within this initiative, two university students for each of the 27 UE Member States and four from each of the Western Balkans 6 countries gathered together in Rome to discuss topics on the importance of the Western Balkans and the EU. They were divided into five working groups.
Now, you have an opportunity to hear what their experiences were, what they learned, what are the common problems that young people from the EU and the Western Balkans share.
In the third episode, our guests were the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, and Dragana Grahovac, student of Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. She was included in Working group 3: One continent, one environment
There is a strong disbalance between the adoption and implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. What did youth leaders propose as a solution? Is civil society one of the key stakeholders in the fight against and adaptation to climate change?
Find out in this episode!
The new episode will arrive every Monday at 14.00.
Subscribe to European Talks and do not miss our next episodes!
More information: www.mladirini.org / www.eubalkanforum.org
We are proud to present you a new mini-series of five podcast episodes within our MladiRini Talks, achieved in cooperation with the EU Balkans Forum.
EU Balkans Forum is an opportunity for youth from the entire European continent to discuss common issues, face policymakers and mobilize new energies from below, facilitating the emergence of a young transnational network to engineer new initiatives and bring about fresh views on both the EU and Balkan integration. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Study Center for International Politics from Rome, and the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa were involved in the creation and work of the forum. The forum was financially supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Within this initiative, two university students for each of the 27 UE Member States and four from each of the Western Balkans 6 countries gathered together in Rome to discuss topics on the importance of the Western Balkans and the EU. They were divided into five working groups.
Now, you have an opportunity to hear what their experiences were, what they learned, what are the common problems that young people from the EU and the Western Balkans share.
In the second episode, our guests were the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, and Uroš Anđelković, Serbian UN Youth Delegate at Una Serbia. He was included in Working group 2: United In Diversity, Beyond Past Wars.
The last 25 years have shown the lack of a real engagement of high-level politicians and governments in supporting and promoting the multi-lateral reconciliation process. That’s why, for example, educational systems in many Western Balkan countries have been shaped by mono-national narratives based on the concept of victim vs. antagonist.
Being a very sensitive issue within the region, could such topic be adequately discussed with colleagues from the EU? If youth is involved in the reconciliation process as well as the EU integration process, will they be able to get some sense of ownership of their present and future and hence become less sceptic of the process?
The new episode will arrive every Monday at 14.00.
Subscribe to European Talks and do not miss our next episodes!
More information: www.mladirini.org / www.eubalkanforum.org
We are proud to present you a new mini-series of five podcast episodes within our MladiRini Talks, achieved in cooperation with the EU Balkans Forum.
EU Balkans Forum is an opportunity for youth from the entire European continent to discuss common issues, face policymakers and mobilize new energies from below, facilitating the emergence of a young transnational network to engineer new initiatives and bring about fresh views on both the EU and Balkan integration. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Study Center for International Politics from Rome, and the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa were involved in the creation and work of the forum. The forum was financially supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Within this initiative, two university students for each of the 27 UE Member States and four from each of the Western Balkans 6 countries gathered together in Rome to discuss topics on the importance of the Western Balkans and the EU. They were divided into five working groups.
Now, you have an opportunity to hear what their experiences were, what they learned, what are the common problems that young people from the EU and the Western Balkans share.
In the first episode, our guests were the Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, and Jovana Popova, a master's student from the Faculty of Political Sciences. She was included in Working group 1: The New EU between governmental cooperation and democracy below.
How to couple deepening and enlargement? What role can the Balkans play in this? Find out in our new episode!
The new episode will arrive every Monday at 14.00.
Subscribe to European Talks and do not miss our next episodes!
More information: www.mladirini.org
Today we are discussing the use of quality management tools in public administrations in WB, and specifically the EU-promoted Common Assessment Framework (CAF). For the Western Balkan countries this topic is relevant in the context of public sector modernisation, and specifically for making more user-oriented administrations. In the EU accession process, countries in the region are encouraged to apply some of the available QM tools, CAF included, and are also regularly monitored in this regard.
For insightful discussion on the importance of QM tools such as CAF, advantages of its application, and experience of WB countries who are using it, we have the pleasure of welcoming Mr Thomas Prorok, Managing Director at the KDZ - Centre of Public Administration Research, and Head of the CAF Centre at the KDZ, who has hands-on experience in supporting administration in the region in the CAF implementation. Mr Prorok is also WeBER Advisory Council member.
"Smallness does not justify corruption," said Professor Tiina Randma-Liiv, guest of the fourth WeBER Talks. She is a member of the WeBER Advisory Council as well as a Chair of Public Management and Policy at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia. Currently, Professor Radma-Liiv also serves as a Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Member of the University Council. She spoke with Milos Djindjic, WeBER Lead Researcher about how more attention must be given to the size of the state in the process of public administration reform. Smaller states have a smaller "pool" of people from which they can choose and hire experts from. Moreover, in smaller states, people know each other much better which can subsequently lead to corruption, as a high-ranking civil servant is often your neighbor or relative. Often, smaller states have a greater number of public servants per capita, making their public administrations larger than states that are bigger. Is a small state an obstacle on the way to a quality public administration or are two variables not correlated? Does the size of the country affect state functioning?
WeBER Talks is a special edition of European Talks, a podcast produced by the European Policy Centre - CEP Belgrade.
More information:
WeBER: www.par-monitor.org CEP: www.cep.org.rs Public governance in small states: from paradoxes to research agenda Small States and Innovation: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235347976_Small_states_and_innovation Public governance in small states: from paradoxes to research agenda: https://ams.hi.is/en/publication/10/ Public management and policy-making in small states: https://ams.hi.is/en/publication/12/
Today’s episode of European Talks discusses the issue of the EU enlargement impasse and how it is being dealt with. With the rising skepticism regarding enlargement and slow reforms in candidate countries, Srđan Majstorović, Chairman of CEP Governing Board, Steven Blockmans, Director of Research at CEPS, and Milena Lazarević, CEP Programme Director, talk about “thinking out of the conventional enlargement toolbox” when it comes to this process. Blockmans and Lazarević present their ideas on how to overcome this impasse with a staged accession model.
Find the paper here: https://cep.org.rs/en/publications/a-template-for-staged-accession-to-the-eu/
Welcome to the third episode of our WeBER Talks, in which Jan-Hinrik Meyer-Sahling, Professor of Political Science at the University of Nottingham and a member of the WeBER Advisory Council and Lead WeBER Researcher, Milos Djindjic, discussed what lessons can be drawn from the EU member states and beyond.
For more information about Professor's Sahling work, visit: https://meyer-sahling.net
For more information about WeBER2.0, visit: www.par-monitor.org
Nove tehnologije i načini rada: Da li smo spremni učiti jedni od drugih? by European Talks
The guest of the 16th episode of our MladiRini podcast is Gabriela Jacomella, journalist and author, co-founder of Factcheckers, one of the first associations to focus on educational fact-checking in Italy. She talked about how the Internet has influenced journalism and what are the positive and negative sides of social networks.
For more information about MladiRini, visit: www.mladirini.org
Gost 15. epizode našeag MladiRini podkasta je advokat Anel Ibeljić, najmlađi advokat Regionalne advokatske komore Tuzla i većnik u Gradskom veću Tuzle. On je sa nama pričao na temu vladavine prava u BiH, problemu velike nezaposlenosti mladih, funkcionisanju vlasti na lokalnom nivou i kako povećati učešće i angažman mladih u politici.
Više informacija o našoj MladiRini inicijativi pronađite na: www.mladirini.org
In the 14th episode of the MladiRini podcast, our guests are Jelena Lacman and Ivana Čogurić. The two of them launched a series of environmental actions, which is now a strong community called Ecopatriotism.
For more info, visit www.mladirini.org
In this week’s episode, we have Dona Srdikj Lazarevska, a Young European Ambassador from North Macedonia. We discussed her journey on becoming a Young European Ambassador and her motivation to promote European values in the country. We also discussed several topics of interest of the youth in the Western Balkans, like youth participation and activism, social media and their role in young people’s lives and environmental footprints.
Ove nedelje na MladiRini podkastu smo imali tu čast da ugostimo nepobedivi tandem istraživačkog novinarstva, Dušan Čavić i Dušan Šaponja, poznatiji kao Marka Žvaka. Saznali smo šta su oni radili kao mladi, kako su postali ono što jesu, zašto su odlučili da ostanu u zemlji, kako biraju aktere svojih priča, i zašto smatraju da je zaštita životne sredine iskaz vrhunskog rodoljublja.
Poslušajte i recite nam da li se slažete sa njihovim stavovima o mladima i njihovom položaju u društvu!
U 11. epizodi našeg MladiRini podkasta ugostili smo biologinju i ekološku aktivisticu iz Tuzle, Amelu Jusufović.
Za više informacija o našoj platformi, posetite: www.mladirini.org
Gošća desete epizode našeg MladiRini podkasta je Ivana Antonijević, v.d. direktorka beogradske kancelarije Regionalna kancelarija za saradnju mladih (RYCO).
Za više informacija o MladiRini platformi, posetite: www.mladirini.org Za više informacija o RYCO, posetite: www.rycowb.org
Gost devete epizode MladiRini podkasta je Vojin Ćetković, evropski omladinski ambasador mladih u Crnoj Gori.
Za više informacija posetite www.mladirini.org
Gost osme epizode MladiRini podkasta je Srđan Hromiš, evropski omladinski organizator mladih u Srbiji i član Nadzornog odbora Krovne organizacije mladih (KOMS).
Za više informacija posetite www.mladirini.org
U šestoj epizodi MladiRini podkasta, ugostili smo Zerinu Mandžo, inžinjerku u IT Girls.
Više informacija o našoj inicijativi pronađite na www.mladirini.org.
U šestoj epizodi MladiRini podkasta, ugostili smo Brankicu Smiljanić, frilenserku, novinarku i aktivistkinju.
Više informacija o našoj inicijativi pronađite na www.mladirini.org.
U petoj epizodi MladiRini podkasta ugostili smo Miloša Maškovića, predsednika Centra za afirmaciju i razvoj mladih (CARM).
Više informacija o našoj inicijativi pronađite na www.mladirini.org.
U četvrtoj epizodi MladiRini podkasta, naš gost je bio Stefan Đorđević, generalni sekretar Krovne organizacije mladih (KOMS).
Sa njim smo pričali o tome kako motivisati mlade da ostanu u zemlji i da se bore za bolji život u Srbiji. Pričali smo i o tome koliki potencijal Srbija gubi kada isključuje mlade iz procesa odlučivanja, koji su kanali za uključivanje mladima dostupni i kako osigurati da se glas mladih zaista i čuje.
Welcome to the third episode of MladiRIni podcast. Our guest is Benard Babaj, a Young European Ambassador in Albania. Anxhela Bruci, Project Officer in Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM Tirana) talked with him about the youth problems in Albania - what issues do young people face and how to overcome them.
For more information about MladiRini, please visit: www.mladirini.org
Gost druge epizode našeg MladiRini podkasta je Adi Softic, evropski omladinski ambasador kulture u Bosni i Hercegovini.
Ostale epizode i više informacija o našem radu pronađite ovde: www.mladirini.org
Zašto je u Srbiji prvenstveno problem vladavina prava, a potom životna sredina, i u kakvoj su vezi ova dva problema? Da li je pitanje zaštite životne sredine u Srbiji u našim rukama?
"Životna sredina u Srbiji je talac korupcije," kaže gost prve epizode naše nove podkast kategorije "MladiRini podkast". To je Mirko Popović, programski direktor Regulatornog instituta za obnovljivu energiju i životnu sredinu (RERI), koji pruža podršku i obezbeđuje pravnu zaštitu pojedincima, grupama i pravnim licima čije je pravo na zdravu i očuvanu životnu sredinu neposredno ugroženo. Više o njihovom radu pronađite ovde: www.reri.org.rs
MladiRini je nova regionalna platforma za komunikaciju, angažovanje i rad sa mladima. Glavni cilj platforme je razumevanje, uključivanje i zagovaranje za ideje i mišljenja mladih na velikoj sceni. Svakog četvrtka, razgovaraćemo sa stručnjacima u oblasti informacionih tehnologija, zaštite životne sredine, demokratije i vladavine prava, o tome kako uključiti mlade u ova pitanja. Za više informacija o našem radu, posetite: www.mladirini.org
The issues of corruption, the rise of external actors, and environmental neglect are becoming increasingly present in the Western Balkans. We are joined by Tena Prelec, a research fellow at Oxford University, a research associate at the LSE, and a member of BiEPAG, with whom we talk about whether and how all of these issues are interconnected.
Welcome to the second episode of the WeBER podcast series of European Talks podcast, a new communication tool in the regional WeBER initiative context. Each podcast episode will be devised around a relevant public administration reform and civil society related topic in the region. With this series, we mainly target civil society, experts, government officials and external interested audience (rather than public).
Highly conversational in nature, they are available on the WeBER portal too - www.par-monitor.org/weber-podcast-series/
In the second episode, our guest is Zorka Kordic, Chief Negotiator for the EU Accession of Montenegro. Milena Lazarević, an expert on the topic of public administration, European Policy Centre - CEP Programme Director and WeBER initiative Team Leader, talked with her about the Montenegrin road to the EU and the role of policy planning, the WeBER initiative and why civil society must monitor the public administration reform process.
After a six-week-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a ceasefire deal has been agreed upon and came into effect on 10 November 2020.
This podcast aims to shed light on whether and how peace can be sustained in the next years, as well as to explore the potential of the EU's post-conflict efforts.
Discussants:
Benyamin Poghosyan - Chairman of the Centre for Political and Economic Strategic Studies in Yerevan - Former director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the Armenian Ministry of Defence - Graduated at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Anar Jahangirli - Consultant in public affairs and communication - Former diplomat from Azerbaijan, with the focus on NK - Graduated at Harvard
First part here: https://soundcloud.com/europeantalks/e_27_10-armenia-and-azerbaijan-at-the-same-table-an-attempt-to-approach-opposing-positions
Although the outgoing President Trump continues to claim that the US elections were rigged, President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take his position in the White House, with the aim to diminish divisions in the US. As the world and Europe have high hopes for the Biden administration, we discuss what can be expected in the next four years. Our guest is Mr. John Allen, a retired four-star general and the President of the Brookings Institution, one of the most influential think tanks in the world.
Following the European Commission’s 2017 Proposal for a Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers, the new EU Work-life Balance Directive was passed by the European Parliament in April 2019. The aim of this Directive is to “improve families’” access to family leave and flexible work arrangements’, and ultimately “contribute to an increase in women’s employment and families’ economic stability.” Moreover, it introduces a set of legislative and non-legislative measures, i.e. policy measures, designed to modernise the existing EU frameworks in the work-life balance area.
How will this affect Western Balkan countries? How much more funds will the countries of the Western Balkans receive, once they become members, having in mind that our closest neighbour, Croatia, receives 10 times more from the EU for this area?
We talked with Ms Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director in the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion in the European Commission, former State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Pensions of Croatia.
A conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno Karabakh, a territory which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but de facto ruled by the Armenian majority living there, re-erupted a couple of days ago. In order to get the full picture of what is happening on the ground, and to see what can Europe to prevent the conflict from escalating, we have invited two prominent experts, one from Armenia and the other from Azerbaijan.
Discussants:
Benyamin Poghosyan - Chairman of the Centre for Political and Economic Strategic Studies in Yerevan - Former director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the Armenian Ministry of Defence - Graduated at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Anar Jahangirli - Consultant in public affairs and communication - Former diplomat from Azerbaijan, with the focus on NK - Graduated at Harvard
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/jYrbOhMv7Ao
The recent elections in Montenegro suggest that major changes could soon take place in this Western Balkan country. Montenegro has opened all chapters in the process of negotiations with the EU, but how far has the enlargement process really progressed and what can be expected in the coming period when it comes to the EU accession process, but also with the political climate in the country? We spoke with Stevo Muk, President of the managing board of the Institute Alternative, Podgorica-based think tank.
Welcome to the first episode of the WeBER podcast series of European Talks podcast, a new communication tool in the regional WeBER initiative context. Each podcast episode will be devised around a relevant public administration reform and civil society related topic in the region. With this series, we mainly target civil society, experts, government officials and external interested audience (rather than public). Highly conversational in nature, it is available in video format on WeBER portal - https://www.par-monitor.org/weber-podcast-series/
In the first episode, our guest is Gregor Virant, Head of SIGMA (Support for Improvement in Governance and Management, a joint initiative of the OECD and the EU, principally financed by the EU), and former Minister of Public Administration of Slovenia. Milena Lazarević, an expert on this topic, European Policy Centre - CEP Programme Director and WeBER initiative Team Leader, talked with him about the SIGMA principles of public administration, the WeBER initiative and why civil society must monitor the public administration reform process.
Useful links: www.sigmaweb.org www.par-monitor.org www.europeanpolicy.org
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Council of the EU gave the green light to opening of accession talks with Albania. What are the expectations regarding next steps, given the current pandemic restrictions? Can the revised enlargement methodology lead to a more effective accession process? What is the current political climate in this country?
In this episode, we talked to Gjergji Vurmo, programme director of Institute for Democracy and Mediation - IDM, Tirana-based think tank.
In this episode, we talked about the current political situation in North Macedonia, EU sentiments of its citizens, and about the strengths and risks of the revised accession methodology for the Western Balkans. Our guest is Dr Simonida Kacarska, director of the European Policy Institute in Skopje, North Macedonia.
A few days ago, elections were held in Serbia, in which the ruling party won a convincing victory. These elections were boycotted by part of the opposition.
With our dear guest, Vladimír Bilčík, member of the European Parliament and its rapporteur for Serbia, we talked about the election results, relations between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans, and regional relations, especially the turbulence between Montenegro and Serbia, and how this affects the EU accession process.
The European Commission announced over €3.3 billion of EU financial support for the Western Balkans mobilised jointly with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in order to tackle the COVID-19 crisis and help with the social and economic recovery. How will this support be implemented and what will be the role of the EIB? We will address these questions in this podcast episode with the Head of EIB Regional Representation for the Western Balkans, Dubravka Negre.
The beginning of this year promised to reset the sluggish dynamics of the EU-Western Balkans relationship, following the EU’s endorsement of a revised accession framework. However, the pandemic has shifted the focus to other topics, like solidarity and economic recovery. What impact will developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic have on the EU accession process of the region? What are the EU’s expectations from the region in the following period?
We will address these questions with our Chairman of the Governing Board and BIEPAG member, Srdjan Majstorovic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has stopped the whole world, in one way or another. How is Brussels, the "capital of the European Union", coping with the crisis? How are think tanks, educational institutions and NGOs in Europe struggling with it and how is it affecting their work? Does the EU have time to pay attention to its Western Balkan neighbours now, or is it preoccupied with its own problems? And - to what extent do events in Europe affect the Balkans, whether we like it or not?
To discuss these topics, we invited Dušan Reljić, Head of the Brussels office of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP Berlin). Find more about SWP here: https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/. The host is Nenad Šebek, journalist and CSO's and media consultant.
The ongoing #COVID19 pandemic can be observed as a case study for global, European, and regional solidarity and cooperation - or the lack thereof. Which side of the argument is more correct? When it comes to the Western Balkans, how has this crisis influenced the already-fragile relationships between countries? Can we hope that we will get out of this crisis smarter?
We reached out to Ms. Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), former member of the Albanian Parliament and Minister of European Integration in the Albanian Government, to discuss this and other related topics.
Veliki napor je uložen u borbu protiv pandemije COVID-19, poznatog kao novi koronavirus, kako bi se sačuvali životi i izbegao „italijanski” scenario, koji se ogleda u kolapsu zdravstvenog sistema usled preopterećenja ogromnim brojem životno ugroženih pacijenata u kratkom periodu. Uvedene su nezapamćene mere ograničenja kretanja i društvenih kontakta, zabranjen je ili ograničen rad velikom broju, naročito malih, biznisa.
Nažalost, smrtonosno dejstvo virusa snažno se oseća i u srpskoj ekonomiji, a naročito u privatnom sektoru. Kako bi se sprečili potpuni krah privrede i gubitak ogromnog broja radnih mesta, potrebna je hitna i odlučna akcija države: svojevrsni „finansijski kontraudar” na koronu. O merama koje treba preduzeti razgovaraju saradnik CEP-a, koordinator Radne grupe Nacionalnog konventa o Evropskoj uniji za vođenje pregovora o pristupanju Srbije EU za Pregovaračko poglavlje 4 – Sloboda kretanja kapitala i Pregovaračko poglavlje 9 – Finansijske usluge, Marko Obradović, i Nenad Šebek, novinar i konsultant civilnog društva i medija.
Tekst Marka Obradovića o predloženim merama možete pronaći ovde: https://cep.org.rs/blogs/houston-we-have-a-problem/
There are growing doubts about the region’s European perspective following a series of postponements in the opening of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia and the announcement of reforms of the enlargement methodology. Although Montenegro and Serbia are forerunners in the process, membership is still a long way off, especially after EU member states largely dismissed the 2025 membership perspective.
Download a PDF transcript here: https://cep.org.rs/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Balancing-between-East-and-West.pdf
This has resulted in a weakening of the EU’s gravitational force in the region, allowing space for other global and regional powers. The increase in economic cooperation between Serbia and China, as well as Serbia’s signing of a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, has made this especially clear.
We have discussed these issues with our guest, ambassador Duško Lopandić, CEP Council member.
This episode coincides with the publishing of annual ranking of top think tanks worldwide by The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program by the University of Pennsylvania, where CEP regularly finds their place. CEP is ranked as the best think tank in the WB and among the top ten in Central and Eastern Europe.
In this episode, we speak about the Dutch approach to the accession of the Western Balkans in the European Union, the European Commission’s proposal for a revised accession methodology, proposal for participation of the Western Balkans at the Conference on the Future of Europe and what it’s like to make and maintain friendships when you’re a diplomat.
Our guest is H.E. Gilles Beschoor Plug, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Serbia and to Montenegro.
In this episode, we speak about the think tanks, and their potential to counter the decline of democracy worldwide and nurture inclusive and evidence-based policymaking. Our guest is Sonja Stojanović Gajić, great connoseur of the topic, member of Executive Board of Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCBP) and CEP Council member.
This episode coincides with the publishing of annual ranking of top think tanks worldwide by The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program by the University of Pennsylvania, where both CEP and BCBP regularly find their place. CEP is ranked as the best think tank in the WB, while BCBP is regularly the best think tank on security and defence in the region and beyond.
Recommendations for further reading:
Enrique Mendizabal, Reclaiming the think tank space in 2020s https://onthinktanks.org/articles/reclaiming-the-think-tank-space-in-the-2020s/
Isidora Stakić, BCBP, Threats and Pressures Faced by Activists and Independent Journalists in Serbia http://bezbednost.org/All-publications/7049/Case-Study-Threats-and-Pressures-Faced-by.shtml
Isidora Stakić, BCBP, Kriminalizacija solidarnosti: Obračun sa aktivizmom Združene akcije „Krov nad glavom" http://bezbednost.org/Sve-publikacije/7146/Kriminalizacija-solidarnosti-Obracun-sa.shtml
CooperativeSecurityInitiative i #CooperativeSecurityMatters
Nataša Vučković, member of the Parliament and executive director of the Center for Democracy Foundation and Nenad Šebek, journalist and CSO's and media consultant discuss this election dilemma and much more in CEP's latest podcast.
More and more countries worldwide are placing the administrators in the users’ shoes and trying to understand the citizens’ journey through the service request.
Today, we will talk about public services and service delivery. Our guest is Gregor Virant, Head of SIGMA and former minister of public administration of Slovenia. SIGMA stands for Support for Improvement in Governance and Management, a joint initiative of the OECD and the European Union.
EU enlargement policy has returned to the spotlight in Brussels. France is mostly to blame, or to thank for this, firstly for yet another postponement of the start of North Macedonia and Albania's accession negotiations, and secondly for its latest initiative to reform the EU’s enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans.
Our guest is His Excellency Jean-Louis Falconi, the Ambassador of France to Serbia.
H.E. Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Belgrade Office of Council of Europe, is joined by Sena Marić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher in CEP.
Useful links:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/the-universal-declaration-of-human-rights-full-version-
Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/home
European Charter of Local Self-Government: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/122
Winston Churchill, speech delivered at the University of Zurich, 19 September 1946: https://rm.coe.int/16806981f3
European Convention on a Human Rights: https://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf
Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life: https://www.coe.int/fr/web/youth/-/revised-european-charter-on-the-participation-of-young-people-in-local-and-regional-life
Convention 108+ Modernised Convention for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data: https://www.coe.int/en/web/data-protection/convention108/modernised
Official website for Belgrade Office: https://www.coe.int/en/web/belgrade/coe-office-in-belgrade
Nenad Šebek, journalist and CSO's and media consultant, is joined by Sena Marić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher in CEP.
Ms Milena Lazarević, CEP's Programme Director, is joined by Dušan Pjevović, CEP's External Associate.
Jan Marinus Wiersma, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Clingendael Institute, is joined by Sena Marić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher at CEP.
Dr. Natasha Wunsch, Postdoctoral Researcher at the European Politics Group at ETH Zurich is joined by Sena Marić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher in CEP.
Dr. Corina Stratulat, Senior Policy Analyst and the Head of the European Politics in EPC Brussels is joined by Dušan Pjevović, Researcher in CEP.
H.E. Dr. Oana-Christina Popa, Romanian Ambassador to Serbia, is joined by Dušan Pjevović, Researcher at CEP
Sonja Licht, President of Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE) and Milan Antonijević, Executive Director of Open Society Foundations Serbia, are joined by Dušan Pjevović, Researcher at CEP.
Srđan Majstorović, Chairman od CEP's Governing Board, is joined by Dušan Pjevović, Researcher at CEP.