Strategic priority of the BSF is to enable Western Balkan’s contribution to resolving some of the key security issues Europe faces, as well as to enhance debates based on original policy research. Accordingly, we are seeking contributions by think-tankers from the Balkan societies (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) on the topic “What if the Balkans Never Become a Part of the EU?”

The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are pleased to invite enthusiastic and motivated students and graduates from universities, schools and institutes based in Serbia and abroad to join the BSF team for the 7^th Belgrade Security Forum, to be held in October.

Every year, the Belgrade Security Forum gathers over 100 speakers and more than 600 high-ranking officials, including representatives from prestigious research and science institutes, civil society organizations, parliaments and media from Serbia, Europe and around the world. 

The organizers of the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) are pleased to invite security scholars and researchers to submit proposal papers for this year's Academic Event to be held on 11th October 2017 as a part of the BSF. Deadline for applications: 30 April 2017.

Belgrade Security Forum 2016 Conference Report is now available and you can download it here.

For years, the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF) has gathered experts and prominent players from the worlds of politics and business – and in many cases, brought together people that otherwise would not speak with each other. That accomplishment is down to Sonja Licht, organizer of the BSFand former Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow of the Robert Bosch Academy.

When it ended with Donald Trump’s victory, 2016 presented less than a clean break with the past, but rather a venture into the unknown. As the old order has been weakened, one thing became certain: no more “business as usual”. Leaders and movements that have capitalized on popular discontent are intent on offering a new worldview, which may appeal to many. A lot seems to be going their way: inequality has increased since 2008; democracy remains in retreat; many crises unsolved.

In setting up the Belgrade Security Forum, we started with one simple idea: how actors in the Balkans could also resolve crises, other than just bring new ones to the table. In doing so, we are fueled by the enthusiasm characteristic to newcomers, who still believe there is a common European future to be desired.

The discussions within 25 panels of the Belgrade Security Forum have identified that politics led by fear and populism represent a main threat to democracies and is an engine perpetuating the global disorder. The times are changing and the business-as-usual must be discontinued in Europe.