Aspen Institute Germany Launches New Project to Strengthen a Stable and Sustainable Region in the Western Balkans
Aspen Institute Germany is pleased to announce a new project “Aspen Western Balkans Initiative: Engagement for Progress and Stability”, which aims to promote stability, peace, and the rule of law in the region to help support the region’s transformation and reform processes. The initiative is scheduled to run from April 2023 to December 2024.
The objectives of the project are to promote dialogue and cooperation in the region, develop concrete recommendations, and draw public attention to the enlargement and reform process.
The project includes the organization of three conferences over the next two years. The first international conference will take place in Montenegro in the fall of 2023 and will focus on the intersection of democracy and digitalization. The second conference will take place the following year and will be dedicated to reconciliation and will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, a third conference is planned for 2024, which will be held in Berlin and will focus on the topic of EU enlargement.
Furthermore, a vision for the year 2043 for the region of the Western Balkans will be developed. For this purpose, a foresight process, and a strategic outlook, for the region will take place at the beginning of the project under the title “Future of the Western Balkans in 2043” to develop long-term strategic approaches.
In addition, working group meetings will be organized in Berlin, bringing together government representatives and experts from the Western Balkans, Germany and the EU. Two meetings are planned, one in 2023 and another in 2024, to recap the year. Each meeting will be accompanied by a public closing event where the results of the discussions will be presented and discussed. The aim is to create a platform for constructive dialog between experts, civil society, and political decision-makers in a confidential setting.
The results of the discussions and possible recommendations for action will be accompanied by social media activities of the Aspen Institute Germany and recorded in publications.
The project is organized by the Aspen Institute Germany with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office. We look forward to working with our partners on this important project over the next two years.
