Vienna, 16 December 2024
The Balkan Forum, in collaboration with the International Institute for Peace (IIP), the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip), and the Karl Renner Institute, co-organized an impactful event, “Western Balkans at a Crossroads: A Common Vision,” in Vienna on December 16, 2024. This initiative is part of the “Young Generation and the New Western Balkans” project, aiming to address critical socio-political challenges and explore pathways to stability and European integration for the region.
The event brought together diverse voices, including young experts, researchers, activists, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and the European Union, to delve into pressing issues such as identity conflicts, citizen participation, and the evolving role of the EU in the region. The dynamic program featured workshops, panel discussions, and policy-oriented debates, emphasizing youth perspectives and fostering dialogue for a shared future.
Key Highlights:
Workshops:
- Bridging Perspectives I: Navigating Identity Conflicts for Lasting Stability in the Western Balkans and the EU explored the complex interplay of national identities and their impact on regional cooperation and European integration.
- Bridging Perspectives II: Citizen Participation and Democracy as Means to Secure Prosperity focused on the power of civic engagement in driving democratic reforms, combating corruption, and advancing green policies in alignment with the EU Green Deal.
Public Debate: The evening panel discussion, The EU and the Western Balkans: Losing or Gaining Ground?, critically examined the EU’s transformative role in the region amidst rising challenges such as institutional polarization, nationalist sentiments, and major global shifts. Experts and policymakers debated strategies for fostering peace, stability, and prosperity.
Participants and Contributions: The event featured distinguished speakers, including Gazmend Berlajolli (Executive Director, the Balkan Forum), Hannes Swoboda (President, IIP), and Gerhard Marchl (Karl Renner Institute). Workshops and discussions were moderated by Vedran Dzihic and included insights from Samir Beharic, Sara Cabarkapa, Leonie Haiden, Branimir Jovanovic, Larissa Lojic, Filip Milačić, Lura Polozhani, Marigona Shabiu, Stefani Spirovska, Tara Tepavac, and others, offering a comprehensive analysis of the region’s challenges and opportunities.
Outcomes: The event underscored the urgent need for democratic reform, enhanced regional cooperation, and youth empowerment to address the Western Balkans’ socio-political complexities. The discussions and recommendations laid a foundation for future initiatives aimed at bridging divides and building a unified vision for the region’s European integration.
As the Western Balkans navigate this critical juncture, platforms like this serve as vital spaces for dialogue, understanding, and action, reaffirming the commitment to a stable, democratic, and prosperous future.
Samir Beharić
Research Officer
The Balkan Forum
