The project is meant to foster balanced debate among think-tank community, academia, public policy and media in order to provide research-based alternative solutions to ongoing challenges of cooperation among Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.
The project is meant to foster balanced debate among think-tank community, academia, public policy and media in order to provide research-based alternative solutions to ongoing challenges of cooperation among Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.
WHO ARE WE?
Three independent think tanks from Belgrade (BCSP), Prishtina (KCSS) and Tirana (IDM) specialized in research of security issues, share a concern for human security and democratization, and believe that competent involvement of civil society in security politics can make security governance more representative, transparent, democratic and effective. Prior to this initiative, we have been cooperating since 2009 on a regional research on progress of security sector reform (SSR) and a transformation of region from a conflict zone into a security community. Apart from that, the three organizations have a proven record in dealing with wide variety of topics such as territorial and border demarcation disputes in the region, confidence building, reconciliation and network building among security professionals and young people.
WHO ARE WE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF?
In the Security Research Forum meetings we represent only our own personal views and in no way aim to speak on behalf of whole organisations, respective governments or any other interest groups. The support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway is not affecting the outcome of research findings or advocacy initiatives.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE?
Enhanced understanding of bilateral and trilateral security issues by establishing various links among security policy communities (Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana) and increasing transparency in security governance. For that purpose, three participating think tanks will have a peer-to-peer exchange of practices, positive and negative lessons learned, and work with national security communities in Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WE WANT TO ADDRESS?
There is security dilemma in the region reinforced by lack of transparency in security governance, mutual fear and mistrust and by lack of credible information and unbiased sources on developments in security communities in respective countries. This is to a great extent caused by a deficient communication between Belgrade, Prishtina and Tirana, even within civil society and academia resulting in lack of knowledge on other communities (especially security communities) as well as persistence of ingrained stereotypes and misconceptions. The inadequate level of transparency impedes national oversight of the sector (including that by the civil society) as well as the confidence building necessary for regional security cooperation. The current prevailing issues do not only contribute to security dilemma in the region, but they also impede democratization and reform processes in three societies, by diverting attention from domestic (social, economic and political) issues.
WHAT DO WE PLAN TO DO?
This will be achieved through research, networking and advocacy activities and capacity-building activities of the participating organisations.
2. Research on key topics of common interest related to threat perceptions, gaps in security governance and accountability caused with lack of cooperation, as well as other relevant sources that aim to increase understanding of political dynamics and security transformation of ‘the other’. Each participating organisation will produce two publications per year, which will be available in two languages (Albanian and Serbian). The research products will be credible and fact-based sources of information, thus filling in the gap in the current state of knowledge on these issues. A diverse number of social science methods will be used to gather and analyse data.
3. The cornerstone of Networking and Advocacy efforts will be three meetings of Security Research Forum (SRF) per year, one in each capital. SRF will be organized with the aim to discuss research findings with the members of security communities within each country. Forums will be organized under 'Chatham House' rules, thus providing 'safe' space for open discussion among security professionals, policy-makers and scholars, which would ultimately set conditions for establishing bilateral and trilateral security cooperation. The second activity will be the Summer School, held in second project year, targeting prospective members of security communities from all three countries. Participants will be taught on various regional security issues, related to trust and cooperation building and security policy-making. This will enable developing connections among future decision-makers, scholars and civil society activists. Finally, national events will be organized in each country (twice per year per country) bringing together members of national security community to present them with the latest research findings and encourage them to share their views on these findings, thus establishing closer links between research and policy-making.
4. Lastly, capacity-building of participating organisations will include three joint training in relevant research skills and exchange of researchers among participating organizations (three researchers per year). The exchange of researchers will enable researchers to work more closely with their peers from partner organisations, so that part of the research is carried out jointly and knowledge and practices are exchanged.
Link: http://www.bezbednost.org/All-projects/5017/Security-Research-Forum.shtml
