Igor Bandovic, the Director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), officially opened this year\u2019s conference and highlighted the need for honest conversations, suggesting that Serbia can no longer remain Balkan-centric. That is the reason why the BSC is focusing on the threat of authoritarianism in the wider context of Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAuthoritarianism is the same in all parts of the world, it can never be good and in its final stage it can lead to war and suffering,\u201d pointed out BCSP Director. <\/strong><\/p>\n During the opening remarks, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureates from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia emphasized the importance of civil society in protecting human rights and freedom of speech, pointing out that the voices of the civil society must be heard.<\/p>\n This year`s Belgrade Security Conference was organized in memoriam of Vojin Dimitrijevic, a prominent human rights defender and fighter for democracy. The Conference was opened with a short documentary about his life and work on the occasion of ten years since his death. Additionally, the first day of the Belgrade Security Conference concluded with a special event: \u201cThe Relevance of Vojin Dimitrijevic\u2019s Pioneering Book on Security in International Relations 50 Years Later\u201d, which commemorated Vojin Dimitrijevi\u0107 and his contributions to human rights advocacy and international relations.<\/p>\n The first part was focused on War in Ukraine with panels entitled \u201cUkraine Under Attack: A View from Kyiv\u201d, \u201cRussia and the War against Ukraine: A Watershed Moment\u201d and \u201cBlack Sea Region at the Boiling Point.\u201d The main points brought up during this part were that the Russian war against Ukraine is an imperialistic war of authoritarian Russia and that lasting peace for Ukraine is only possible when the authoritarian regime in Russia ceases to exist. During the discussions, it was pointed out that it is difficult to imagine what the world would look like after the end of the war, but there must be a way to build it back better and more secure.<\/p>\n At the beginning of the second part, entitled \u201cThe future of the EU\u201d, H.E. Emauele Giaufret, head of the delegation and the Ambassador of EU to Serbia, addressed the audience by saying: \u201cEU unity and determination have grown in the wake of Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine. Citizens\u2019 trust in EU is the highest since 2008. Why? Because the EU responds to citizens\u2019 needs in crisis and offers democracy, freedom, security, and economic prosperity.\u201d The Vice-President of the European Commission, Vera Jourova, spoke about the current pressures that democracy, fundamental rights, and rule of law face within the EU and beyond. Therefore, at this moment, defending democracy is paramount. She emphasized that \u201cwe can only preach on the rule of law if we keep our own house in order.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout the four panels: \u201cEU enlargement in new Geopolitical Circumstances: How to Use the New Impetus?\u201d, \u201cEnergy Diversification in Southeast Europe\u201d, \u201cThe EU\u2019s Own Illiberal Challenge: Authoritarians in the House and the Backyard\u201d and \u201cOpen Balkan and Berlin Process \u2013 Labyrinth of Regional Cooperation\u201d speakers talked about the extent of the pressures that democracies within EU member and candidate states face, influence of the energy crisis on the geopolitical situation as well as whether the war in Ukraine created opportunities or risks for the EU enlargement process. It was stated that the rise of illiberalism within and beyond the EU puts in danger the EU\u2019s foundations. It has been noted that the challenges within the EU negatively impact credibility of EU values in candidate countries.<\/p>\n The second day began with an Academic Event. Luka Glusac, this year\u2019s Academic Chair, emphasized the importance of academic events and stated that the BSC is a valuable opportunity for academics to exchange their opinions, and to find proposals for solutions to current problems. Two panels were held during the academic event focusing on sustainable development, entitled \u201cExploring the Security-Development-Human Rights Nexus in Theory and Practice\u201d and \u201cSecurity and Development in Fragile and Conflict Environments\u201d. All panellists agreed that human rights are a precondition for security development. Subsequently, countries are never supposed to be put in a position to choose between development and human rights. Human rights should be perceived as a bridge between security and development.\u00a0 Inclusive and accountable institutions that belong to people and are linked to a positive peace context are preconditions for human rights protection.<\/p>\n The third part titled \u201cDemocracy and Authoritarianism\u201d was consisted of four panels, covering variety of topics, from \u201cThe Human Dimensions of Security \u2013 Human Rights Defenders Protection in Serbia\u201d and \u201cHow to Counter Disinformation in the Western Balkans\u201d to \u201cCybersecurity, Democracy and Human Rights: Could a More Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity Strengthen Democracy\u201d and \u201cDemocracies Held to Ransom: Organized Crime and Authoritarianism\u201d. Observing the Western Balkans, vulnerable social groups and human rights defenders were identified as the most frequent subjects of online violence. When discussing organized crime, the panellists agreed that the War in Ukraine has been profitable for the transnational crime market. It was noted that when trying to break the cycle\u00a0of organized crime, strong institutions are critical. An exorbitant amount of money has been\u00a0spent in trying to fight corruption. However, these efforts have been futile without strong institutional support.<\/p>\n The last part \u2013 \u201cEU and Regional Security\u201d included the panels \u201cSecurity Architecture in Europe After the War in Ukraine\u201d, \u201cSacrifice Zones: The Blind Spots of the Green Energy Transition\u201d and \u201cKosovo and Serbia \u2013 Escaping the Dead-end.\u201d The end of the war will shape the future of European peace and security order and now is the time to think about the new security architecture. It is also significant to consider the green\u00a0transformation for decarbonization, which is in the heart of geopolitical struggle, geo-economics and\u00a0democracy. Referring to the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, H.E. Cristopher R. Hill, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, emphasized: \u201cWe would all like for Serbia to move towards the West, but we would also like the West to move towards Serbia.\u201d<\/p>\n Srdjan Cvijic, President of the International Advisory Committee of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, officially closed the Belgrade Security Conference. During his speech, Srdjan referred to the student protest in 1996 and 1997 where students carried a banner with the slogan \u201cBelgrade is the world.\u201d As Srdjan stated \u201cIn the time where we face the regime that doesn\u2019t accept nor allow criticism and the culture of dialogue, we held our first Belgrade Security Conference, and Belgrade was yet again the world.\u201d He thanked Ukrainians for coming to the BSC and for their courage and defiance. He also thanked free women and men of Russia and Belarus, who despite the great danger back home accepted to address the conference. With the words \u201cThis is not the end but merely a beginning\u201d Srdjan Cvijic officially closed the Belgrade Security Conference.<\/p>\n\n\t\tWar against Ukraine – A Global Watershed Moment<\/strong><\/h4>\n
EU Path of the Western Balkans \u2013 A New Momentum?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Bridging the Gap between the Academics and Practitioners<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Focus on Human Security Threats<\/strong><\/h4>\n
A Peaceful and Green Future Ahead?<\/strong><\/h4>\n