PRESSING ISSUES TACKLED IN A RELAXING ENVIRONMENT
Between 1 and 3 September 2013 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective will organise the eighth Bled Strategic Forum (BSF). Held in the picturesque resort town of Bled, the BSF offers a platform for discussing the most pressing issues of our age in a relaxing environment of the beautiful alpine lake. This explains why it developed into one of the most well-known high-level forums in this part of Europe, attracting prominent speakers, important policy makers, successful businessmen, as well as academia and media representatives. Every year, the Forum is attended by more than 450 participants from 50 different countries.
2013 BLED STRATEGIC FORUM: A CHANGING EUROPE IN A CHANGING WORLD
The 2013 BSF will be held under the title "A Changing Europe in A Changing World". As the main theme suggests, the forum will address the problems that Europe is facing, both internally and externally, in a constantly changing political and economic climate. As a sui generis structure, the European Union has always been a work in progress, ready to respond and adapt to changing circumstances. Today, more than ever before, it has to overcome the hurdles posed by the economic crisis and global challenges and – also in the light of European Year of Citizens – find a winning recipe for its institutional structure and roadmap for the future.
The main panel "A Changing Europe in A Changing World" will take place on 2 September and will be followed by a special panel which will address the water challenge in the Middle East and North Africa region (in light of 2013 International Year of Water Cooperation).
On 3 September, four different panels will be held on the following topics: prospects for the EU Economic and Monetary Union, the role of International Criminal Justice, EU-Turkey relations and EU enlargement policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans region after Croatia's accession.
BUSINESS BSF: DOING BUSINESS IN RUSSIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Following international and regional business trends, as well as Slovenian foreign policy and economic diplomacy priorities, on 2 September 2013 the second Business BSF 2013 will seek to create new business opportunities and explore new potentials. Russia and Central Asia will be the focus of attention, highlighting energy and high-tech development in particular. Business BSF will be organised in cooperation with the Slovenian-Russian Business Council and IEDC-Bled School of Management.
YOUNG BSF: THE CLASH OF Gs
The 2013 Young BSF, held under the title "The clash of Gs", will see a new concept of tackling some of the most significant issues faced by the young: the Youth in the EU: The promise for the future or a lost generation?, Digital revolution: DIY politics and Doing Business: New tools and new rules.
The Young BSF will be stretched out over a longer period this year so as to enable all participants to firstly discuss different situations and define the challenges, then put different ideas and proposals on how to go about these challenges on the table, and, finally, come up with possible directions and solutions.
The first in the series of events at the 2013 Young BSF will be the Challenge Conference on 27-28 June in Ljubljana, which will open the discussion. Young professionals will devote two days to brainstorming and debate with the aim of defining and identifying the challenges to be further developed in the Idea Pool over the summer and at the closing Solution Generator Conference on 1 September 2013 in Bled.
For further details about the Forum, please visit www.bledstrategicforum.org or follow us via Facebook or Twitter. Should you have any questions about the Forum, please do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Source: UKOM