March 9, 2012,
Belgrade, Media Centre, Terazije 3, 11.00 -13.00 h
The year 2011 marked the twentieth anniversary of the dissolution of the Yugoslav federation – two decades of wars and conflicts that left a deep scar on the Balkans and its people. The many analyses of events, leadership, or transformation processes have often overlooked the human dimension of regional disintegration.
The last Yugoslav generation of 1971 was in its formative years when the conflicts started, the first twenty years of its adult life cut short by wars. Those born in 1991 are too young to remember conflicts, war and the fall of the old system. Isolated from each other, they are now coming of age to shape the future of their countries.
A recent survey commissioned by the European Fund for the Balkans examined the perceptions of these two generations.
- Does the region exist as common political, economic and cultural space?
- Is the younger generation a natural driver of EU integration?
- What comes to your mind when you think of Yugoslavia?
- Do you think that your parents had better life than you today?
- Have you traveled to other countries of the region?
- What would be situation today if Yugoslavia survived?
- Where would you like to live?
- Is the future of the region in the EU?
This is only small part of the big questionnaire which included attitudes and perception of two generations of citizens of the Western Balkans, The results of the survey will be presented by Predrag Kurčubić, Public Affairs and Media Director, IPSOS-Strategic Marketing, and analyzed by Vladimir Todorić, director New Policy Centre and further discussion will include representatives of younger generation, Srđan Hercigonja i Tamara Branković, Fellows of the Leadership Development Programme of the European Fund for the Balkans.
11:00 – 13:00 h
Press Conference:
Introduction:
Hedvig Morvai Horvat, executive director, European Fund for the Balkans, Belgrade
Presentation of the results of the survey:
Predrag Kurčubić, Public Affairs and Media Director, IPSOS-Strategic Marketing, Belgrade
Presentation of the opinion paper:
Vladimir Todorić, director, New Policy Centre, Belgrade
Discussants:
Srdjan Hercigonja and Tamara Branković, fellows of the Leadership Development Programme, European Fund for the Balkans
Moderator:
Slobodan Georgiev, journalist, Balkan Investigative and Reporting Network, Belgrade.
