PECOB Portal on Central Eastern
and Balkan Europe
by IECOB & AIS
Università di Bologna  
 
Tuesday December 03, 2024
 
Testata per la stampa
institutions

This area collects information on academic centers, state institutions, political and no profit organizations promoting the exchange of contacts and supporting institutional collaboration

 
 
East, rivista internazionale di geopolitica
 
European Regional Master's Degree in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe
 

Research institutes and associations of scholars dealing with the Balkans

Here you can find basic information about the websites of research institutes and associations of scholars dealing with the Balkans, with direct links.

Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP)

Name in Serbian: Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Description: The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) is the oldest civil society organisation in the Western Balkans specialising in research, advocacy and education of security issues. BCSP was established in 1997 as the Centre for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR) . The name change marked its transformation form a Civil Society Organisation into a think-thank specialised in security issues. BCSP It is currently the only organisation in Serbia focussing on whole of security sector and trying to act as a knowledge broker in human, national, regional and international security policy arenas.
The vision of the BCSP is the establishment of democratic security community in the Western Balkans integrated into European security identity that fosters human security of all of its citizens without difference. The BCSP is an independent think tank that publically advocates national and human security based on democracy and respect for human rights. The BCSP works towards the consolidation of security sector reform (SSR) and security integration of Western Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic community by creating an inclusive and knowledge-based security policy environment. The Centre plans to achieve these objectives through research, public advocacy, education, bringing together relevant stakeholders and creation of networking opportunities. Democracy, human rights, liberty, peaceful conflict resolution, participation, and development are only a few among the core values of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.
Activities:

  • Policy research is one of the main activities of the Centre. The BCSP encourages theoretically informed, multidisciplinary research. In order to collect and analyse data we apply a set of research methods ranging from analysis of secondary sources, through discourse analysis, comparative approach and quantitative analysis all the way up to primary empirical and ethnographic research involving interviews, focus groups, participants’ observation etc.
  • Advocacy consists of bringing important issues in public discourse, work on changes of legal solutions, but also influencing a policy culture through a provision of networking opportunities and nurturing of nascent security policy community in Serbia and the region. The Centre's advocacy activities aims at targeting both the policy community and the wider population.  The involvement of citizens is supported through active presence in media and creation of web and real life platforms for direct engagement with concerned citizens. The BCSP also strongly believe in an importance of strategic partnerships and networks for effective coalition and democratisation of public debate.
  • Education is the third component of the Centre's work that slowly but deeply transforms knowledge, values and worldviews of current or future leaders and decision makers with whom we work. Educational activities include short seminars, six month long internship programme, as well as development of syllabus of academic security courses of Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade. The targets of this educational activities are  politicians, MPs, political party youths, students, police, military officers and every one who can be involved in the decision making process at all levels. Furthermore, the Centre promotes on-the-job training through its internship programme. The added value of BCSP's education programmes is in the creation of participatory education such as simulations, scenario discussions, debates etc.

Centre for European Neighbourhood Studies

Description: founded in 2006, the Centre for European Neighbourhood Studies is a research centre of the University of Stirling whose fields of activity are politics, international relations and modern history of the countries referred to as the neighbors of the European Union.
Language: English

Visit the webpage of the Centre for European Neighbourhood Studies (in English)

Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation (CHDR)

Name in Serbian: Centar za Istoriju, Demokratiju i Pomirenje
Description: The CHDR was established in 2007 at the Salzburg Global Seminar, Austria.
CHDR seeks to promote a dynamic, multinational, multiethnic and nonpartisan history of the former Yugoslavia. Its aim is to foster understanding and acceptance of ethnic and national differences, highlight similarities in cultural, religious, social and political life, and harmonize the various histories that exist in this region. The CHDR is engaging scholars, educators, media representatives, and civil society organizations in a process to transform the “image of the enemy” and examine the historical myths that have been used as propaganda from different national and ethnic perspectives. The process includes working with teams built from the different regions of the FYR, Albania and colleagues from EU with the goal of researching, writing and disseminating shared historical narratives same as articles in an effort to build greater understanding of “the other” and thereby contributing toward the dispelling of public myths often used to conflagrate tensions.
The projects of CHDR ("Facing the Past-Searching for the Future", documentary serial The Myth Factory: Political Myths in Yugoslavia 1918–1991 and Serbo–Croat Political Relations) are trying to develop unity in the field of culture and science in the divided region, and in so doing to facilitate better capacity for historians and scholars to enable the development of a positive democratic political influence on politicians and future leaders.
The specific projects objectives are: 

  • to create teams of researchers and academics from different regions of FYR, EU and Albania
  • to develop, research and write shared narratives, articles and documentary movies on selected themes
  • to increase public awareness of dialogue and research process through media involvement
  • to increase public awareness through published findings
  • to build network of scholars and politicians in FYR supporting reconciliation processes
  • to strengthen civil society by broadening network of researchers and academics engaged in reconciliation in FYR and Albania

Centre for Regional Policy Research and Cooperation "Studiorum"

Name in Macedonian: Центар за регионални истражувања и соработка "Студиорум"
Description: the Centre for Regional Policy Research and Cooperation “Studiorum“ (CRPRC Studiorum) is a non-partisan, non-governmental think-tank working on economic and social aspects of EU integration and globalization processes that are of essential importance for the Republic of Macedonia and the countries of Southeast Europe.
CRPRC Studiorum strives towards accomplishment of its mission through various policy-oriented programs and research projects, which contribute to and complement the attempts of policy-makers in policy design and implementation, and support central and local governments, business and non-governmental sectors in their communication and cooperation.
 
CRPRC Studiorum’s main activities in the last two years have been:

  • Policy research, analysis and design;
  • Legal analysis and policy advice;
  • Consultancy and other expert services;
  • Technical assistance and trainings;
  • Education;
  • Project management.

These activities have been executed in the following topics:

  • Public Health programme: Health Reform Committee of the Republic of Macedonia – Member of; Legislation and implementation of the patients’ rights; Roma Inclusion / Roma Health; Public spending in health sector; and Patient Safety,
  • Human Rights programme: Human Rights Policy; Anti-discrimination; Minority rights - Special focus on Roma (focusing on research in the areas from the Decade); and Integration and migration;
  • New Media and Society programme: E-tools for active citizenship; and Web portal of the Journal for European Issues “Evrodijalog”.

Some of CRPRC Studiorum’s most recent publications include:

  • Policy Brief: How Macedonia Can Keep Pace with European Standards for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination (2010);
  • Position paper: In the limbo: Solving the status and citizenship of Roma in Macedonia (2010);
  • Human Rights in Health Care – A Practitioners Guide. CRPRC Studiorum and Medical Faculty Skopje (2010);
  • Patient Safety in Eastern Europe and Asia: Baselines and Advances (2008);
  • Fighting corruption to improve governance (2009).

CRPRC Studiorum also publishes the Journal for European Issues “Evrodijalog” with over 100 published articles up to date. A complete list of editions and articles can be found at http://www.evrodijalog.eu/ and at the Central and Eastern European Online Library http://www.ceeol.com/.

European Center for Peace and Development of the University for Peace established by the UN

Description: the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD) is a part of the University for Peace established by the United Nations (UN). Located in Belgrade, Serbia, ECPD offers research and study opportunities in a wide range of disciplines, including law, international relations, global health and sustainable development. In addition to these Postgraduate and Doctoral studies, ECPD organizes international meetings and conferences that reflect its values as an organization. These events, held throughout Europe, often feature heads of state, Noble Prize winners and other world leaders. The final important activity conducted by ECPD is the publishing of over 20 books, conference proceedings, text books and other publications needed for educational purposes.
The ECPD is also always looking ahead to find better synergy between its many activities and its external relations. In this regard it is focusing on the development of relations with international institutions, national governments and civil society actors. In addition, the center will streamline its research and training programs and recruit new professors and lecturers to contribute to the educational programs.
Languages: English, French, Russian, Italian, German, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, Slovenian, Macedonian, Albanian
 
Visit the website of the European Center for Peace and Development of the University for Peace established by the UN (in English)

Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Description: the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) reports on trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and works with local journalists to report on conflict in the Balkans. A flagship of IWPR programming, and one of their longest continuing initiatives, the International Justice program seeks to extend public understanding of, and support for, international justice processes – with a focus on affected regions. For the Balkans, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, IWPR continues to produce weekly reports, while recently launching a weekly radio program, Facing Justice, broadcast across the region.
Languages: English, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, French, Arabic, Farsi 
 
Visit the website of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (in English)
Visit the webpage devoted to the ICTY (in English)

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