The Belgrade Security Conference (BSC) is inviting organisations from the Western Balkans to propose ideas for panel discussions to be included in the main programme of this year’s conference.
About BSC
The BSC has become the leading conference on foreign and security policy in the Western Balkans. It is a by-invitation-only, not-for-profit gathering of over 500 globally influential people, regional officials, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, think-tankers, journalists, academics, young professionals, and all the brave thinkers who shape the present to influence a better future.
In order to seek answers to current challenges, we are building the BSC as a contemporary discussion platform and environment for more stimulating, engaging and sincere dialogue. Over the three days of the conference (18-20 November 2024), the most pressing global, European and Western Balkan issues will be explored through panel discussions on main stage and side sessions in parallel.
Call For Proposals
We invite proposals for panel discussions on the main stage that align with the overarching themes of this year’s BSC. This call is only for organisations from the Western Balkans region, with the aim to have country-specific panel discussions that address important issues in your respective countries, related to the BSC’s overarching topics, that include:
- Regional security challenges
- EU enlargement
- Foreign policy and the role of foreign actors in your country
- Rule of law and democracy
All costs (travel and accommodation) of organising a panel discussion will be covered by the BSC. A maximum of three proposals will be chosen, and the selected panel discussions will be held on the third day of the conference, 20 November 2024.
Hosting a panel discussion at the BSC provides the organisations with an opportunity to gain visibility and showcase the organisation’s expertise and insights to a diverse audience of international experts and policymakers, as well as networking opportunities and a chance to engage with leading professionals in the field of foreign and security policy.
Who Can Apply
Civil society organisations and think-tanks from the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) have to be the lead applicant. Partnering up with organisations and think tanks from outside the region is also possible.
Proposal Requirements
Interested organisations are invited to submit proposals for panel discussions using the online submission form. Proposals should include the following information:
1) Title of the panel discussion: A concise and compelling title that reflects the core topic of the discussion.
2) Description: A brief overview of the proposed panel discussion (maximum 500 words), outlining the key issues to be addressed, the relevance to your country’s foreign and security policy, and the expected outcomes.
3) Panelists and moderator: List of proposed panelists, including their names, affiliations and brief biographies (maximum 200 words). The format of the panel discussion includes three or four panelists and one moderator.
4) Objectives: Clear objectives for what the panel aims to achieve and how it will contribute to the overall conference theme.
Submission Guidelines
Deadline: All proposals must be submitted by 31 July 2024.
Selection Criteria:
- Relevance: The topic’s relevance to current foreign and security policy issues in your country, EU enlargement of your country, regional security in the Western Balkans and the rule of law in your country.
- Expertise: The expertise, diversity and high profile of the proposed panelists.
- Innovation: Originality and potential impact of the panel discussion.
- Clarity: Clarity and coherence of the proposal.
- Country specific: Considering that there will be other panels at the BSC with a regional, comparative focus, the purpose of the panels selected under this call is to be specifically related to pressing issues in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
- Feasibility: The speakers at the proposed panel must be contacted by the applicant beforehand to assure their availability from 18-20 November 2024. Only in person participation of speakers is accepted, therefore the applicant should guarantee that the speakers will be physically present at the BSC.
We look forward to receiving your proposals. For any questions or additional information, please contact us at info@belgradesecurityconference.org.
More info here