Bled Strategic Forum

A Message to the Young from the Leaders' Panel 💫 #BSF2024 #BledStrategicForum

As participants of the #YoungBledStrategicForum make their way back home, it's a good moment to reflect on the week we shared. This year, we brought together 41 bright and driven individuals from 30 countries to the serene surroundings of Pokljuka. From Friday to Sunday, they engaged in participant-driven activities centered around this year's theme: "Restoring Common Ground." This theme was inspired by the title of the Bled Strategic Forum international conference: "A World of Parallel Realities." Our goal was to find ways to bridge our diverse realities and create space for positive social action. We never imagined we’d be able to bring together such an exceptional group of thought-provoking, insightful, diverse, and committed individuals, dedicated to making the world a better place. We hope they are leaving with new understandings of the messy world we are leaving in with renewed motivation to improve it. Thank you co-creating the conference with us! 🫶 The success of this conference was made possible by the support of our partners, who contributed either financially or content-wise. We sincerely appreciate your trust and hope we met your expectations. This year, the Young Bled Strategic Forum integrated even more deeply with the main event. Nine participants took part as speakers in the main discussions, engaged in side-events, and were the first ones at the discussions to be able to pose questions or offer comments. This year we also took on a new challenge – we held for the first time Young Powered Discussions. Discussions that brought more focus, more depth and more meaningful insights. These conversations offered a platform to selected high-profile speakers to expand the analysis and nest their ideas within wider context. To quote Bled Strategic Forum Secretary General Peter Grk: “Great job. Next year we have a 20th edition of Bled Strategic Forum. Make sure Young Bled Strategic Forum will be even better”. On it, boss! 🫡 Central European Initiative - CEI U.S. Embassy Ljubljana Danube Region Strategy Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung CEF (Centr of Excellence in Finance) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung International Republican Institute Gajst Global Diplomacy Lab (GDL) European Digital Diplomacy Exchange

Bled Strategic Forum thrives thanks to the unwavering support of our cherished partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Google, Microsoft, Porsche Slovenija, Riko d.o.o., Telekom Slovenije, Sava Hotels & Resorts, Slovenske železnice, CETIS d.d., Krka, LOTRIČ Metrology Ltd., Medex, Novartis, NP consulting, Petrol Group, Roche, SID banka, Atlantic Council, BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Global Diplomacy Lab (GDL), Interpeace, Jeju Forum, Alpine Convention, Ministrstvo za naravne vire in prostor, MORS - SSKK, Ministrstvo za gospodarstvo, turizem in šport / Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, Ministrstvo za okolje, podnebje in energijo / Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Observer Research Foundation, Oxford Process on International Law Protections in Cyberspace, Peace Operations Training Centre - POTC, SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, Slovenian Tourist Board, Vlada Republike Slovenije, The Wilson Center #BledStrategicForum #BSF2024

#BSF2024 is history! Thank you to the team for your wonderful work ❤️

Recap of Day 2 at #BledStrategicForum #BSF2024

🇪🇺 Europe Whole and Free: Enlargement as a Strategic Reconciliation project 🇪🇺 The EU-Western Balkans summit in Thessaloniki began a more than 20-year EU enlargement process, now entering its most decisive phase. With the European Union in a completely different international environment, strategic patience must be replaced by geostrategic decisions and political will to consolidate the continent. The Union and candidate countries must transform to address intense challenges with timely responses and pragmatism. with Christopher R. Hill, Donika Gërvalla, Mihai Popșoi, Tanja Miščević, Marko Štucin, Christian Schmidt, Strahinja Matejić, and Srdjan Majstorović #BSF2024 #BledStrategicForum

🌾Feeding the Future: Ensuring Food Security in Times of Climate Crisis🌾 Climate change is manifesting in increasingly severe ways. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and environmental degradation are intensifying the vulnerability of global food systems. The international community must acknowledge the need to adapt its institutions to this grim trend and ensure a safe, resilient, and sustainable food system. with Dr. Martin Frick, Eva Knez, Kristjan Magdič, Jala ibrahimova, and Damjan Krnjevic Miskovic in partnership with Ministrstvo za okolje, podnebje in energijo / Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy #BledStrategicForum #BSF2024

🤝Support for Peacekeeping in the Ever-Changing Environment🤝 Two of the largest UN peacekeeping missions have been drawn down, signalling significant changes in peacemaking. Deliberations on the limits of peacemaking have quieted, while countries have renewed their support for UN and regional peacekeeping efforts. Nonetheless, governments remain hesitant to increase contributions, prompting a search for alternatives to improve peacekeeping beyond financial means. with Ann Linde, Libakiso Innocentia Matlho, Dan Sanaren, Samo Selimović, Stefano Tomat, René Troccaz, and Itonde Kakoma in partnership with the Peace Operations Training Centre - POTC   #BSF2024 #BledStrategicForum

🇪🇺 Europe Whole and Free: A Renewed Commitment to European Security 🇪🇺 Over the last 20 years, Ukraine has faced turmoil—from Russian interference in its democracy to the invasions of Crimea and Ukraine itself. Yet, it has sustained its sovereignty and protected Europe's Eastern flank. While some see this as grounds for Ukraine's admission into the European family, others remain hesitant. In a changing world, Ukraine and the EU must adapt to uphold and protect core European values. with Lasha Darsalia, Igli Hasani, Timco Mucunski, Hryhoriy Nemyria, Filip Ivanovic, Vahan Kostanyan, Marko Makovec, Pierre Heilbronn, Lazarević Andrijana, and Jovan Ratkovic #BSF2024 #BledStrategicForum

Highlights from today's panels #BledStrategicForum #BSF2024