Cybersecurity is one of the most pressing challenges facing modern society. When cyberspace power is misused, the primary target often becomes democracy, particularly within civil society and the media. During a panel discussion on the state of cybersecurity in the Western Balkans and Europe, panelists agreed that numerous challenges exist that have great potential to undermine both democracy and the security of citizens.
The panel highlighted the importance of human security, agreeing that there needs to be a move away from only state perspectives of security towards a more holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being of individuals. One of the panel’s conclusions was that risk needs to be shared and managed regionally and that regional cooperation can help sustain international security.
The final day of the Belgrade Security Conference commenced with a keynote address by Ambassador Erin E. McKee, Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia at USAID. She stated that Europe is at critical juncture and reflected on the suffering of Ukranians who continue to endure Putin’s brutality, emphasizing that Ukraine serves as an inspiration.
The panel was described as possibly having the most depressive topic at the conference, with a wide agreement that bilateral issues are hijacking the process of North Macedonia’s accession to the EU. This harms the public perception of EU credibility and slows down the motivation to undertake important reforms.
The panel focused on the participation of young people in reconciliation initiatives, as they have a unique opportunity to create peace. The panelists agreed that young people live in a difficult environment burdened by the past, which highlights the importance of facing it and understanding it to move forward. They concurred that the best way to build peace is to have an inclusive dialogue, allowing young people to humanize the Other.
The Panel on the Middle East touched on sensitive and difficult topics, but it led to general agreement on many important questions. The panellists agreed that there is no clear plan for what happens in Gaza after the end of the war, but that the long-term peace perspective depends on a two-state solution, as the regional conflict cannot be solved through violence. They also agreed that the war between Israel and the Palestinians is more like a civil war, as there are no clear borders, making the eventual conflict resolution more difficult.
The Panel on Non alignment and multipolarity reached a conclusion that there are many features of the world today that are reminiscent of the cold war, creating space more for neutral states to take a greater role. The panellists agreed that neutrality creates a lot of options and flexibility for states, especially in the role of conflict mediation, while choosing a camp comes at a high price and for many states not compatible with their national interests.
Before the panel on Non Alignment, Tvrtko Jakovina, Tenured professor, Department of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, gave a Commemorative lecture about Budimir Lončar, Yugoslavia’s last secretary for foreign affairs.
