At the Belgrade Security Conference, the panel “Lost in Geopolitics? Post-Yugoslav Views on Security” brought together regional experts who warned that the Western Balkans is facing a convergence of geopolitical uncertainty, democratic erosion, and weakening public trust in institutions
In a period of deep uncertainty, young people across Serbia and the wider Western Balkans have become some of the most visible voices of protest, civic engagement, and public reflection. Generation Z – the first fully digital generation – is redefining the meaning of freedom while navigating a global environment marked by injustice, institutional mistrust, and rapid political transformation. They respond to these pressures with empathy, emotional intelligence, and a pronounced sense of social responsibility.
One of the three parallel panels on the final day of the Belgrade Security Conference 2025, moderated by Majlinda Bregu, Chair of the Strategic Committee at Europe Plus (E+) and former Minister of European Integration of Albania, focused on the future of EU enlargement and the reforms needed to restore credibility to the process.
The final panel on the second day of BSC 2025, moderated by Nikola Burazer, Programme Director of the Center for Contemporary Politics, examined the European Union’s revived enlargement narrative and the prospects for genuinely positive developments by the end of the decade.
In a debate led by Vessela Tcherneva, Deputy Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, panelists spoke about the everyday threat of hybrid warfare in Europe.
The third panel of the second BSC day, moderated by Goran Buldioski, Senior Fellow, Hertie School, University of Governance in Berlin addressed key questions shaping the future of democratic governance amid steadily intensifying global authoritarian pressure and the erosion of institutional resilience caused by internal liberal trends.
The second day of the Belgrade Security Conference continued with discussions on the stability of U.S. – China relations and their roles across different regions – whether in their own backyards or in areas like the Western Balkans. The discussion was moderated by Scott Bates, Regional Director of Europe and Eurasia at the National Democratic Institute.
The second day of the Belgrade Security Conference “Pathways to Freedom” started with the discussion on transatlantic relations, moderated by Aleksandra Godfroid, Producer and Reporter at N1 Television.
Since 2023, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy awards the “Lighthouse” prize to individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage, integrity, and commitment to the public good. Previous laureates include Katarina Petrović (2024) and Aleksandar Obradović (2023). This year, the award went to Irena Joveva, member of the European Parliament from the Republic of Slovenia. The award was presented by Igor Bandović, director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, whose full speech you may find below.
