Info Association of Non-Governmental Organizations of Southeast Europe Civis Newsletter - N o 2 - Year

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1 Info Association of Non-Governmental Organizations of Southeast Europe Civis Newsletter - N o 2 - Year Civis - Association of Non-Governmental Organizations of Southeast Europe Tel: Fax: contact@civis-see.org Website: Dobračina Street No.15/VII Belgrade, Serbia

PROJECTS DOMAIN INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE EVERLASTING VALUE AND PERMANENT ACTUALITY OF THE EDICT OF MILAN - ON THE WAY TO THE GREAT JUBILEE IN 2013 (2011-2013) Association of Non-Governmental

2 PROJECTS DOMAIN INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE EVERLASTING VALUE AND PERMANENT ACTUALITY OF THE EDICT OF MILAN - ON THE WAY TO THE GREAT JUBILEE IN 2013 ( ) Association of Non-Governmental Organizations of Southeast Europe CIVIS, with its partners - the Committee of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Charge for Preparation of the Celebration of 1700 years of the Edict of Milan, the Austrian PRO ORIENTE Foundation and the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation - envisaged the serial of two annual conferences that were organised in 2011 and 2012 within the project Everlasting Value and Permanent Actuality of the Edict Of Milan - On the Way to the Great Jubilee in This conference aimed to examine the freedom of religion in the light of historical events in 313, the importance of the document and the personality of Constantine the Great, born on the territory of the City of Nis. The second international conference was held on May in the City of Novi Sad (Serbia), with the topic The Edict of Milan ( ): A Basis for Freedom of Religion or Belief? The main goal of the conference was to open dialogue and emphasize fundamental European values, such as democracy, First international scientific conference -Everlasting Value and Permanent Actuality of the Edict of Milan - On the Way to the Great Jubilee in 2013, Everyone Should Believe as His Heart Wishes - was held on February in the City of Nis The first international semi-scientific conference, having the focus on the topic Everyone Should Believe as His Heart Wishes, was organised on February in the City of Nis (Serbia). This successful meeting was to gather prominent historians and theorists from Austria, Hungary, France and the Western Balkans, dedicated to the research of time, personality and position of Constantine the Great and the Edict of Milan. human rights and the rule of law. Participants had a dialogue on the institutional impact on Churchstate relations ( ), and legal and political interpretation of the Edict of Milan. The aim of this project was to bring out the importance of the document that had changed the course of history, the Edict of Milan, in the past as well as now, to the wider public and to raise awareness of 2 : CIVIS Info

CIVIS Honorary President Mr. Boris Vukobrat, His Grace Orthodox Bishop of Backa Dr. Irinej, CIVIS International Secretary General Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic and PRO ORIENTE Foundation President Dr.

dialogue among representatives of religious communities and Churches, as well as among citizens in the Western Balkans in order to strengthen the peace building process in the region.

After both conferences, publications with participants presentations and conclusions were published. The project had the support of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Mr.

3 CIVIS Honorary President Mr. Boris Vukobrat, His Grace Orthodox Bishop of Backa Dr. Irinej, CIVIS International Secretary General Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic and PRO ORIENTE Foundation President Dr. Johann Marte The prayer the importance of the freedom of religion or belief; also, to bring back in focus the essence of the Edict - the right to freedom of religion, advancing the understanding and dialogue among representatives of religious communities and Churches, as well as among citizens in the Western Balkans in order to strengthen the peace building process in the region. This conference was organised on the European level and the guest partner was the Conference of European Churches. of the Holly See, H.E. Orlando Antonini. After both conferences, publications with participants presentations and conclusions were published. The project had the support of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Mr. Irinej and Apostolic Nuncio The conference was supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Serbia; Diocese of Backa, Serbian Orthodox Church; AustrianSwiss Diocese of the SOC; Committee for the construction of the Emperor Constantine the Great Complex, Nis; Belgrade representative offices of the companies АLPINE (Austria) and PORR (Austria); Swietelsky; Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Renovabis Foundation. Second international scientific conference -Everlasting Value and Permanent Actuality of the Edict of Milan - On the Way to the Great Jubilee in 2013, The Edict of Milan ( ): A Basis for Freedom of Religion or Belief? - was held on May in the City of Novi Sad CIVIS Info : 3

DEMOCRATIZATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION DOMAIN MEET HUMAN RIGHTS FOR BETTER FUTURE (2012, 2013) The problem of insufficient awareness on Human Rights issues, both on the individual and general

CIVIS Association, which has the participatory status at the Conference of International NGOs within the Council of Europe, used the Educational Methodology of the Council of Europe s Youth Program

4 DEMOCRATIZATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION DOMAIN MEET HUMAN RIGHTS FOR BETTER FUTURE (2012, 2013) The problem of insufficient awareness on Human Rights issues, both on the individual and general level, inspired us to start the project Meet Human Rights for Better Future in February CIVIS Association, which has the participatory status at the Conference of International NGOs within the Council of Europe, used the Educational Methodology of the Council of Europe s Youth Program on Human Rights Education during the project. The project s overall goal was raising awareness of young people about the importance of human rights and their significance in everyday life, so that they could find the right way of responding to the challenges they are faced with. Around 200 seventh and eighth grade elementary school pupils (age thirteen and fourteen) and their teachers from Vojvodina s five cities (Novi Sad, Sremska Mitrovica, Zrenjanin, Ruma, Sombor and Irig) participated in Trainings took place in the facilities of our partner in the project, Elektrovojvodina d.o.o. company, the Teaching- Educational Centre Norcev on the Fruska Gora Mountain. In 2013 the project was realized for around 175 pupils in five cities in the Sumadija and Pomoravlje Region (Kragujevac, Jagodina, Arandjelovac, Paracin and Raca Municipality). The Centre for Professional Development of Education Personnel Kragujevac and Regional Economic Development Agency for Sumadija and Pomoravlje wholeheartedly supported the project. Representatives of Youth Offices from the mentioned cities and municipalities were invited, and they had an opportunity to see the methodology and practical and positive experiences which they could later use in their work. Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Serbia and the Council of Europe recognized this project as important and valuable and supported it for two successive years. LIVING WITH DIVERSITY AND BENEFIT FROM IT (2012, 2013) When we first read the Report Living together: Combining Diversity and Freedom in 21st century Europe we came to an idea that it would be beneficial and important to present it to the Serbian public and make it available to everyone. Western Balkan countries often see Europe in only one light, but today it has many faces. Although high standards are reached in many areas, European societies face everyday discrimination, parallel societies in close vicinity, legal and illegal migrations, multiculturalism and intolerance, as well as many other phenomena. 4 : CIVIS Info

In June 2011 the Council of Europe published the document Living together - Combining Diversity and Freedom in 21st-century Europe which is actually the Report of the Group of nine Eminent Persons of

5 In June 2011 the Council of Europe published the document Living together - Combining Diversity and Freedom in 21st-century Europe which is actually the Report of the Group of nine Eminent Persons of the Council of Europe. CIVIS organized promotions of this Report in Belgrade and Novi Sad, where discussions were held with students on the subject of accepting the culture of human rights, as well as presenting examples of good practice. We believed that young people should have an opportunity to express their opinions and hear some other and different opinions, and, as important and indispensable participants in this process, contribute to the strategies which would reconcile differences and freedoms. This report was an excellent starting point for opening dialogue and raising awareness among people in Europe and Serbia as well. Council of Europe Office in Belgrade wholeheartedly cooperated with us on this project and gave us printing rights and the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Serbia supported the project. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOMAIN New Economic Diplomacy Opportunities and Challenges (2012) Mr. Manabu Shoji, Embassy of Japan Second Secretary, Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, International Secretary General of the CIVIS Association, Mr. Jovan Njegic, Lecturer at the Higher School of Professional Business Studies in Novi Sad, Mrs. Jelena Marjanovic, Assistant Minister in the Ministry for Economy and Regional Development of the Republic of Serbia, Mrs. Bojana Mazarak Popovic, Secretary General of the CIVIS Association CIVIS Association, in cooperation with the Ministry for Economy and Regional Development of the Republic of Serbia, successfully implemented the project New Economic Diplomacy Opportunities and Challenges. General objective of the project was to increase the information, education and motivation so that the values of Economic Diplomacy and new establishment of the network of Economic Counsellors of the Republic of Serbia could be perceived on micro, mid and macro level (state and economic) in order to achieve better positioning of Serbia on the world map. The second goal was to explain, in a correct and understandable way, that New Economic Diplomacy improves bilateral relations, contributes to the increase of direct foreign investments and economic exchange and presents interests of Government economic policies. Publication with the same title, New Economic Diplomacy Opportunities and Challenges, was written and promoted within the project. The publication included 5 initiatory texts by prominent authors who addressed the questions of defining, content and significance of economic diplomacy, the rules of functioning, plurality of benefits and transparency of the functioning; as well as its advantages in comparison to classic diplomacy. Two promotions of the publication were organised in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Kragujevac and Novi Pazar - one at the University, designed for the expert public and students of all branches of economy and international relations, and the other in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, designed and adapted for businessmen. The project was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Belgrade Office), the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. CIVIS Info : 5

ACTIVITIES Presentation of Religious, Moral and Social-Political Values of the Students in Serbia Research Results CIVIS Association attended the presentation of Religious, Moral and Social-Political

This very interesting and quite useful presentation was organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Centre for European Studies, Centre for Religious Studies and Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory.

6 ACTIVITIES Presentation of Religious, Moral and Social-Political Values of the Students in Serbia Research Results CIVIS Association attended the presentation of Religious, Moral and Social-Political Values of the Students in Serbia Research Results on December at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory. This very interesting and quite useful presentation was organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Centre for European Studies, Centre for Religious Studies and Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory. On behalf of the CIVIS Association, Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, International Secretary General, participated in the first plenary session The Significance of Economics and Sustainable Development in Strengthening Peace and Security with the chosen topic Strategic Approach to Local Challenges. The main purpose of the First Youth Forum was to detect the thoughts of young people in the Balkans on reconciliation, tolerance and human security, as well as their visions about the future development of the Balkans. Youth Forum Youth for Maintaining Peace: the Role of Knowledge The European Centre for Peace and Development (ECPD) of the University for Peace established by the United Nations, organized the First Youth Forum within the Ninth ECPD International Conference Youth for Maintaining Peace: the Role of Knowledge on October in Belgrade. The ECPD Youth Forum has been established with the aim to raise awareness of young people on the importance of post-conflict reconciliation and tolerance for building stable peace and sustainable development in the region. His Holiness Serbian Patriarch, Mr. Irinej and Mr. Boris Vukobrat, CIVIS Honorary President and President and Founder of the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation Celebration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Edict of Milan Mr. Boris Vukobrat, Honorary President of the CIVIS Association and President and Founder of the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation, received the Order of Saint Emperor Constantine at the celebration of 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan which took place in the City of Nis on October : CIVIS Info

Intercultural Ambassadors are those individuals whose activities illustrate the ideal of intercultural communication and understanding, and who are dedicated to establishing peace culture and

7 UNESCO Club Sorbonne declared Mr. Boris Vukobrat the Intercultural Ambassador In October 2013, UNESCO Club Sorbonne declared Mr. Boris Vukobrat the Intercultural Ambassador. Intercultural Ambassadors are those individuals whose activities illustrate the ideal of intercultural communication and understanding, and who are dedicated to establishing peace culture and interculturality, beyond racial, national and religious borders. Promotion of the Book by Professor Dr Darko Tanaskovic Neo-Ottomanism: A Doctrine & Foreign Policy Practice CIVIS Association organized the promotion of the book in English language by Professor Dr DarkoTanaskovic, Neo-Ottomanism: A Doctrine & Foreign Policy Practice, on April in the Amphitheatre of the National Library of Serbia. Strategic Directions of Development and Establishment of the Position of the Republic of Serbia in International Relations Conference The Institute of International Politics and Economics organised an international conference Strategic Directions of Development and Establishment of the Republic of Serbia Position in International Relations on April 22 and in Belgrade. Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic participated in the conference on behalf of the CIVIS Association. The speakers included: Professor Dr DarkoTanaskovic, book Author and Full Professor at the Chair of Oriental Studies at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology; Professor Dr Oliver Antic, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Serbia; Dr Cedomir Antic, Historian, Institute for Balkan Studies, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Moderator Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, International Secretary General of the CIVIS Association. Publication of this book was supported by the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation. Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic at the VIII Session of the Board of Directors of the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in Istanbul BLACK SEA-CASPIAN SEA INTERNATIONAL FUND International Secretary General of the CIVIS Association and the Peace and Crises Management Foundation Executive Director, Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, who is the Vice-President of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea International Fund (BSCSIF) for Serbia, participated the VIII Session of the Board of Directors of the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea which was held in Istanbul (Republic of Turkey) on April During the session new project ideas and present projects under implementation in the areas of economy, civil society, environmental protection and conflict studying were presented. Book promotion, Neo-Ottomanism: A Doctrine&Foreign Policy Practice, April in the National Library of Serbia CIVIS Info : 7

Dr Vladimir Gligorov, the book Author and Senior Researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) and Mr.

8 Book promotion, Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays - H.E. Dr Johannes Eigner, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Serbia, Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, International Secretary General of the CIVIS Association, Prof. Dr Vladimir Gligorov, the book Author and Senior Researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) and Mr. Miroslav Prokopijevic, President of the Free Market Centre Promotion of the Book by Dr Vladimir Gligorov Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays CIVIS Association organized the promotion of the book by Dr Vladimir Gligorov, Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays, on February in the Belgrade Media Centre. The speakers included: Prof. Dr Vladimir Gligorov, the book Author and Senior Researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw); H.E. Dr Johannes Eigner, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Serbia; Miroslav Prokopijevic, President of the Free Market Centre; Moderator Mrs. Mirjana Prljević, International Secretary General of the CIVIS Association. Publication of this book was supported by the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation. There is no way to Peace, Peace is the way Conference On the occasion of celebrating 20 years of work, the Swiss Peace and Crises Management Foundation organized an international conference with the title There is no Way to Peace, Peace is the Way, which was held on September in the Belgrade Aeroklub. Conference There is No Way to Peace, Peace is the Way - Prof. Dr Zdravko Grebo, Prof. Dr Vukasin Pavlovic, Prof. Dr Ilija Vujacic, Prof. Zoran Pusic, Mrs. Elisabeth Kopp, Prof. Dr Vojislav Stanovcic FIRST FORUM OF THE NGOs OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION COUNTRIES CIVIS Association participated in the First Forum of the NGOs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Countries which was held in Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan) on November The Forum was established in order to strengthen the regional cooperation of the nongovernmental organizations of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Countries which includes following countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Moldova, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Meeting with the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) Mrs. Mirjana Prljevic, CIVIS International Secretary General, met with the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Belgrade on December On that occasion initiatives for potential project cooperation were discussed. Many eminent professionals attended the conference and gave a comprehensive review of the Foundation s work during the years. 8 : CIVIS Info

PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES The Edict of Milan (313-2013): A Basis for Freedom of Religion or Belief? Belgrade, 2013 444 pages Language: Serbian/English You can download book from the website www.civis-see.

100,00 RSD for the Serbian market + postal expenses. Price for abroad is 11,00 EUR + postal expenses.

9 PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES The Edict of Milan ( ): A Basis for Freedom of Religion or Belief? Belgrade, pages Language: Serbian/English You can download book from the website Neo-Ottomanism: A Doctrine & Foreign Policy Practice Author: Prof. Dr DarkoTanaskovic Belgrade, 2013/102 pages Language: English The book price is 1.100,00 RSD for the Serbian market + postal expenses. Price for abroad is 11,00 EUR + postal expenses. About the book: Neo-Ottomanism is the first synthetic review of the new and ambitious Turkey s foreign policy whose aim for that state in the process of shaping new, multipolar world in order to restore dominant influence in the areas which once were part of the Ottoman Empire, in the first place in the Near East, the Balkans and Caucasus. Starting from the foundations of doctrinal determination of the Neo- Ottoman ideology, its foreign policy operationalization on global and regional levels is being analysed. The study Neo-Ottomanism is a reliable guide for coming up to the essence of state politics of contemporary Turkey, which arises widening interest of international political and professional public. Diplomacy: Modern & Economic Author: Prof. Dr Davor Dasic Belgrade, 2013/805 pages Languages: Serbian The book price is 2.500,00 RSD for the Serbian market + postal expenses. Price for abroad is 25, 00 EUR + postal expenses. CIVIS Info : 9

Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays Author: Dr Vladimir Gligorov Belgrade, 2012/270 pages Language: English The book price is 1.900,00 RSD for the Serbian market + postal expenses.

10 Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays Author: Dr Vladimir Gligorov Belgrade, 2012/270 pages Language: English The book price is 1.900,00 RSD for the Serbian market + postal expenses. Price for abroad is 15, 00 EUR + postal expenses. About the book: The book reviews the Balkan transition, regionally and country by country. The failure of transition to promote development and modernization is explained by institutional and political deficiencies. The aim is to highlight the enduring characteristics of the Balkan economies and thus provide the reasons for this regions continuous falling behind the developed countries. So, the book deals with Balkan failure on the example of political and economic transition in the last few decades. New Economic Diplomacy Opportunities and Challenges Belgrade pages Language: Serbian You can download the book extract from the website Everyone Should Believe as His Heart Wishes Belgrade pages Language: Serbian/English You can download book from the website The Role of Churches and Religious Communities in Sustainable Peace Building in Southeast Europe Belgrade pages Language: Serbian/English You can download book from the websitewww.civis-see.org 10 : CIVIS Info

The Republic of Austria and the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter referred as the two Sides ),

PROGRAM OF COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF CULTURE, SCIENCE, EDUCATION, YOUTH, WOMEN S AFFAIRS AND SPORTS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA FOR THE YEARS 2015-2019 The Republic of