This was my second time in Alpbach and the opportunity to visit it again had an important influence on my perception of the general importance of conference and the topic (Justice – Responsibility for the Future). Besides enjoying the beauty of the village, becoming a member of the organisation and attending the seminars, the greatest revelation was experiencing the Spirit of Alpbach – it is all about the knowledge and experience sharing in an open and interdisciplinary manner with students, political leaders and most prominent scientist from different cultures and with different backgrounds.

The way Alpbach is functioning is beneficial to establishing trust and cooperation between the youth of all Western Balkan societies – especially when we bear in mind this years general notion.

I attended two seminars:
1. Law and Justice After Wars, chaired by Dr Petar Bojanić (Director, Centre for Ethics, Law and Applied Philosophy, Belgrade) and Ms Renate Winter (judge of the Appeals Chamber, Special Court for Sierra Leone, Freetown);
2. Justice: the Contribution of the EU- and International Courts, chaired by Mr Josef Azizi (judge and President of Chamber, General Court of the European Union, Luxembourg) and Ms Renate Kicker (associate professor and Deputy Head, Institute of International Law and International Relations, University of Graz)

Seminar #1: Law and Justice after Wars
This topic is especially important for the Western Balkan region. The lecturers explained the development of international tribunals, their differing mandates and challenges and provided me the opportunity to discuss with colleagues from Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia the necessity to find impartial and just legal mechanisms to react to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, in order of achieving the reconciliation and accepting responsibility. Most of the participants were engaged in the debate regarding individual and collective responsibility, which turned out to be very fruitful. Another topic was the state building, peace building and peace keeping.

Seminar #2: Justice: The Contribution of the EU- and International Courts
In a state with developed rule of law and ensured legal certainty, a fair judgment has a pacifying and preventive effect, beyond the case actually settled. This seminar dealt with those issues on international level, focusing on EU other international courts. During the lectures we reviewed the organisational and procedural framework and court’s competences as well. Students had several interesting workshops where lecturers tried to make them realise themselves the link between judicial legitimacy and transparency and efficiency of judge’s work. The difference between the concepts of procedural and substantive justice was stressed as well.

I was especially honoured with the visit of Mr Saša Janković, Serbian ombudsman, who held a lecture with the chairwoman of Austrian ombudsman board on the role of the ombudsman in Serbia and Europe. After the lecture, students form ex Yugoslavia who attended it said how amaized and happy they were to find that there are people in our region ready to fight against the authoritarian mechanisms of power. This event was very important for us as a Club and for image of Serbia we are trying to build on Forum’s associates network.

Overall, this expirience was very important for me as a law students, since I became acquinted with the concepts of transitional justice and importance of EU and international courts; but this was also very important for our Club and Serbia’s promotion in EFA Network as well – that is why we owe our sincere gratitude to our sponsors who made this to happen

Wikipedia compares the European Forum Alpbach with World Economic Forum in Davos. When I first read this, being this was my first time at EFA, I immediately assumed that this will be a great opportunity to discuss world problems with like-minded people. Naturally, I was happy to find out that this year’s event, with focal topic of “Justice – Responsibility for the Future“, brought together 4,000 participants from 67 countries, including high-level politicians, researchers, journalists, activists, students and young people.

Having arrived in Alpbach in time for Political Symposium, I was intrigued to hear about the creation and implementation of international law as presented by the very people who practice it on daily basis. Ms Renate Winter spared no words in explaining how “legal cracks” created by the appointment boundaries of various organisations operating in post-conflict regions defer delivery of justice to victims. She has also described how lessons learned were quickly implemented in order to avoid same scenarios from happening again. Speaking about relatively new phenomenon of human-trafficking Ms Maria Grazia Giammarinaro emphasized cross-border cooperation, full implementation of international instruments and national legislation in order to tackle this diifficult matter.

After the full day of international justice, we were rewarded with the live concert of The Rundek Cargo Trio, in the organisation of Erste Foundation. Here, even if it was just for the night, all the differences were put aside in order to accommodate for the similarity that we all have in common – having a good time.

Next few days were “strictly business”. Apart from the very different audience demographics (very popular amongst the business community), the Economic Symposium has brought, topics covering Market Regulation, Social Responsibility, Economic Efficiency and Global Competition. Renowned guests included Maria Fekter, Joaquín Almunia, Wolfgang Kniese, Johannes Hahn, Nico Nusmeier and John Fund. Economic symposium has lit the fire at the thus far concurring event between the supporters of European-level regulations versus the advocates of Nation-level regulations. Ones claimed that the Euro-level approach would allow for the homogeneous implementation, while others backed the approach that would allow EU countries to have partial sovereignty, while still enjoying the benefits of the union. In order to further address this issue the topic of world economic crisis and globalisation was quickly brought to the table, which has caused even more opposing opinions. However, one thing all the participants agree upon is – more integrated Europe as a solution for global economic trends.

Financial symposium added fuel to the fire with the constant reference to the “Greek problem”. Speaker, after speakers have looked back at it, while suggesting most diverse resolutions to sovereign debt, haircuts and Eurobonds. Bankers were at the forefront of the revolt expressed by some of the panellists, but also members of the audience. Nevertheless, they had something to say, too. Thomas MAYER9 has reminded us of the role the state/politicians have played in loosening of the initially set financial standards relating to Debt-to-GDP ratio, as well as constantly revised down central bank interest rates as a result of economic growth. He has also emphasized the importance of political will in the introduction of solutions for the current economic downturn.

Our friends from Club Alpbach Tirol made sure that we have good balance between “Food for the Mind” and “Food for the Body”, by organising a joint event with Slow Food Tirol titled “Food Connects” that promoted the diversity of tastes in the local cuisine and sets the bacillus of enjoyment and comfort, which is manifested in a relaxed and expensive joy.

Following the symposiums that took place during the day, the evenings were filled with a set of receptions hosted by Erste Foundation, T-Mobile and SAP which were good networking opportunities.
Last, but not least participants were invited by EFA Standing Committee to the Beach Volley tournament, ride with the E-bike at the discounted price and fun drive with Mini Cooper through Tyrolean countryside.

In conclusion, this was thought-provoking and insightful event led by competent and knowledgeable speakers. Moreover, this was a week packed with activities set in the picturesque village that has helped me to further expand my horizons regarding the different aspects related to European Union.

This year’s main topic – “Justice – responsibility for the future“ was the first reason why I decided to apply and take part at this year’s European Forum Alpbach. One of the major conferences in the world this time was connected with the field of study that I’m interested in – Law. At least it looked like that in the begginig. But, the first moment that I came into a small Tyrolean village, I realized what the European Forum Albach is and how importmant role it plays both for the present time and the future.

Even though I attended two seminars which were mainly legally orientated, the things that I have learned and the expiernece the ones have provided me with are wide ranged. The oportunities to listen to the lectures held by the judge of the General Court of the European Union or to the most incredible stories about the real child soldiers, coming from the judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, were invaluable. On the other hand, no less significant for me were the conversations that I had with the participnts coming from various number of countries. It was quite interesting to speak about the concept of justice with a colleague from South Korea and a girl from Pakistan, as well as to discuss with the Austrian and the Serbian ombudsman on the advantages and disadvantages of this institution in both countries. Finally, what made the so called “spirit of Alpbach“ complete were the social nights, which were organized in order to strenghten the connection among the world’s young intelectuals.

On behalf of Club Alpbach Belgrade, it is my pleasure to say that thanks to our donors, we were able to bring one of the biggest groups to Alpbach this year. Eighteen young professionals from Serbia were given a chance to participate in 66th European Forum Alpbach. Interdisciplinary approach to this year’s topic “Justice – Responsibility for the Future” gave our scholarship holders an opportunity to learn, but also contribute to life discussions related to their respective fields of interest and education.

According to its tradition and well developed concept, Forum offered 16 different seminars which analyzed this year’s topic from perspectives of a great variety of academic fields. Therefore everybody from our group, which consisted of economists, political scientists, medical doctors, lawyers and even one archeologist, could find a course which met her or his interests. Apart from those seminars, a great number of symposia rich with vivid discussions on burning issues were a right place to be during the whole event. It is also important to say that our participation in International evening, where we presented a short movie made by our activists to present our country, had also a great positive feedback from the audience. We are proud that our scholarship holder, Marko Krstajić, won 2nd price at the Speakers’ Night where he gave a speech named “Talking ‘bout revolution”, too.

It is needless to say what a great experience one is getting by participating in European Forum Alpbach and its classes, panels and conferences. Also, one should always have in mind that by supporting young people and their participation in such events, one is taking part in changing somebody’s life by changing his or her perspectives, and it is in the most positive way. Young people from Serbia have not been given many opportunities in the past to travel and learn what being European truly means. European Forum Alpbach and its huge international community with all its open-mindedness has given some of them that experience. Let us hope that more and more will experience it, too.

When I first came and saw that small village of Alpbach couldn’t believe my eyes. No one told me that all houses are the same, that all flowers on balcony are in red and that you have possibility to see so many varieties of green color, and to drink the purest water in the world. I am visual type so it means a lot to me when I am in good surrounding and when with so much circulating energy I can start a day.

First week of seminars passed by very quickly even though it was very hard to withstand the pace that we have imposed by the organizers, but to resist and miss so many interesting classes that were offered, and so many interesting names in the field of economics, politics and law, was not an option, so I decided that I will sleep when I get back from Alpbach.

This year's theme was “Justice – Responsibility for the Future”, and we were all on pins and needles listening to the lecturers all around the world talking about how they see symbol of justice and what it means for them word “Justice”, so we had the opportunity to expand knowledge and finally scratch the surface of the topics that are not usually mentioned, talked about only in general, or giving general points and eventually end up with nothing, but in Alpbach was not like that.

Most excited I was when I realized that I am talking to Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic and that in fact I can discuss with any of the lecturers about all issues and that they are open to students and really want to devote to us, because maybe it’s true like I read somewhere, that perhaps we are the future leaders.

The last but not the least was the socializing with other Forum participants, talking until the sun rises again, Darko Rundek, which we sang with and many new and wonderful faces that will hopefully grow into real friends which will enrich our lives.

Ovogodišnji forum Alpbah će mi ostati u sjajnom sećanju. Imao sam čast da odem tamo kao stipendista i da uživam skoro tri nedelje. Sama organizacija događaja, jedna ozbiljnost i pre svega profesionalizam, ostavili su na mene dubok utisak. Oduševljen sam da sam imao priliku da učestvujem na takvom dogadjaju.

Alpbah je ove godine bio okrenut budućnosti. Sama tema „Pravda – odgovornost za budućnost “ je sigurno bila opšte prisutna i predstavljala je osnovu za svaku diskusiju i predavanje. Ono što upada u oči je prisutna sloboda govora. Tako su bili prisutni mnogobrojni zagovornici evropskih integracija, a sa druge strane bilo je i evroskeptika, na primer predsednik Češke republike, g. Vaclav Klaus.

Prve nedelje su održani seminari. Od velikog broja bilo je moguće odlučiti se za dva. Ja sam odabrao da prepodne pohađam seminar o “Globalnoj pravdi”, a u popdnevnom terminu “UN – izgradnja mira i dobra uprava”. Prvi seminar je pokrenuo brojne teme, sa jednom dobrom statističkom komparativnom analizom. Jedna od vodećih ličnosti u ovoj oblasti profesor Thomas Pogge sa odeljenja za filozofiju Jejl univerziteta, veoma se potrudio da nam predstavi jednu objektivnu sliku globalne pravde danas u celom svetu. Moram priznati da sam se pribojavao da će smer otići u pravcu veoma preopširnih i ponekad nezanimljivih teorija, imao sam sreće da se upravo to nije dogodilo. Analizirali smo globalnu pravdu u raznim delovima sveta, mada je akcenat bio usmeren na Afriku. Takođe smo se potrudili i da vidimo kako ona utiče na različite slojeve stanovništva. Moglo se lako uočiti kada dolazi do ekstremnih situacija. Razne teme su pokrenute tokom samog seminara. Globalno zdravlje, granice, globalno oporezivanje, uticaj globalizacije na ljudska prava. Sigurno mi je ovaj seminar pomogao da bolje razumem određene svetske tendencije, da posmatram stvari iz drugačijeg ugla. Sigurno da sada imam više argumenata u korist globalizacije i na način kako se ona kao proces u celosti odvija.

Drugi seminar je bio pravi izazov. Okupio je grupu od četiri sjajna predavača. Posebno sam se oduševio Michael von der Schulenburg -om, koji je šef misije UN u Siera Leoneu. On nas je na jedan impresivan način uveo u svet Ujedinjenih Nacija. Njegovo tridesetogodišnje iskustvo u kriznim područjima ga je učinilo „hodajućom enciklopedijom“. Pričao nam je o svim mogućim aspektima mirovnih misija, do onih zanimljivih detalja koji se ne mogu pronaći u medijima, kao što su na primer pregovori sa talibanima u Avganistanu, spašavanje talaca. Potresna su to saznanja posebno, ako ste navikli na jedan miran način života, kada vidite da postoje ljudi koji se i danas zalažu za mir i za odlučnu borbu protiv terorizma i krvoprolića. Tu je takođe spominjan i region zapadnog Balkana, i napomenuta je važnost pomirenja i okretanja ka evropskoj perspektivi. Bio sam prijatno iznenađen njihovim diplomatskim nastupom, gde je stvorena jedna vrlo prijatna atmosfera.

Ne mogu a da ne pomenem da je Klub Alpbah Beograd organizovao razgovor sa srpskim ombudsmanom, g. Sašom Jankovićem. Bio sam ponosan da vidim jednog zvaničnika iz Srbije na takvom skupu.

Bilo je sjajno posmatrati toliko mladih ljudi i stručnjaka u jednoj vrsti neformalnog druženja. To su stvari od velike važnosti. Nameće mi se utisak da se na taj način mladi ljudi podstiču da se oslobode i takvim simboličnim razgovorima kreiraju svoje buduće pravce. To doprinosi jednom uspostavljanju kontakata, koji putem Alpbaha u velikom broju slučajeva postanu veoma intenzivni i neraskidivi.

Tokom druge nedelje mog boravka održali su se različiti simpozijumi. Bili su perfektni. Prisustvovao sam političkom, ekonomskom, tehnološkom i finansijskom. Bilo je pravo zadovoljstvo videti kako neke od vodećih ličnosti današnjice posmatraju aktuelne probleme koji podjednako pogađaju i lokalnu i globalnu sredinu. Organizatori Evropskog foruma Alpbah su takođe stavili akcenat na ekologiju. Bio sam iznenađen da je i sam kongresni centar eco friendly. Toliko novih informacija vezanih za telekomunikacione tehnologije, zatim predavanje koje će se dugo prepričavati o „Digitalizaciji gradova“ i kako će izgledati u budućnosti. Dobio sam priliku, zahvaljujući organizatorima, da testiram automobil dvosed na struju koji će ući u masovnu proizvodnju od 2012,(sat vremena napunjene baterije je potrebno da se pređe 100km). Još jedan mali detalj o ekologiji – hemijske olovke koje su deljene kao reklamni materijal napravljene su od 80% bio materijala.

Dosta zanimljivo je bilo na politčkom i finansijskom seminaru. Spominjana je budućnost evra, finansijskih tržišta, i vođene su zanimljive diskusije.

Smatram da su ovakvi projekti najvažniji za Srbiju. Neophodno je slati mlade buduće lidere, stručnjake, na ovakve skupove. Svuda se nailazi na jednu tradiciju koja je stvarana decenijama. Važnost evropske budućnosti Srbije je od neprocenjivog značaja. Ovakav skup je mene sigurno još više uverio da treba da budem uporan i da dam mali doprinos sa moje strane na putu Srbije prema Evropskoj uniji. Prisustvo na takvom skupu samo može da doprinese razvoju evropske ideje i njenom boljem upoznavanju.

Želim da se zahvalim Klubu Alpbah Beograd na ukazanoj prilici, i svim donatorima što podržavaju ovakav način usavršavanja mladih budućih kadrova.

When I was informed that I’d won a scholarship to attend Euroepan Forum Alpbach honestly I didn’t have any knowledge about the event. After meeting with the team from the Club Alpbach Belgrade who presented the whole concept to me, I realized how much the event itself is an educational, academic two-week event, but also has a really fun side to it as well… and it is in fact a factor of integration of European academic minds working on spreading the values of tolerance, freedom, neutralism and human rights. This is also great place for lobbying and presenting the potential of your country since many officials from different European but also non European governments are annually present in the small ski center but also internationally important place at Tirol named Alpbach.

Since 1945, Alpbach has been the venue for the Alpbach European Forum, an annual two-week conference of leading figures from the worlds of science, business, the arts and politics. The Forum and the participation of so many people who have shaped the thinking of their times has given Alpbach the nickname, "The Village Of Thinkers." The first conference hall in Alpbach was built in the mid-1950s and named after the Austrian poetess Paula von Preradovic, who wrote the words for the Austrian national anthem. The plenary hall was named after the physicist and Nobel Prize-winner Erwin Schrödinger. He lies buried in the Alpbach cemetery. In 1999, the new Alpbach Congress Centre was opened, together with the 55th European Forum. With its combination of exciting architecture and a minimum environmental footprint, the main architectural feature is a spiral shaped gallery with floor-to-ceiling glazing for a unique view of the spectacular mountain backdrop.

At the suggestion of Alfons Moser, Mayor of Alpbach from 1945 to 1979, the Council issued a local planning law in 1953, which made the traditional style of architecture in Alpbach mandatory for all new buildings.

Continue Reading…

European Forum Alpbach 2009

Night. Train station in Belgrade. The train for Vienna is waiting on platform. Crowd, suitcases, bags, food, kisses and many an ones thief. Second class compartment. I have decided to travel all by myself. This is going to be a pleasant journey. Being drowned in sea of sleepy people, after two hours of driving, I became bored… So I am looking all around the place… Faces are different then those traveling by trains for Bulgaria, Istanbul… These are, somehow, ‘better dressed’ and, I am laughing quietly, ‘in Viennese style – so cultural and enlightened’. Seeing smile on my face, half gray women seating across me became curious: ‘So, girl, where are you going to work?’ Insulted, I explained her that I am the student of Faculty of Political Sciences, traveling to symposium, and that I still believe that world could become better place. I am not definitely someone eager to work abroad. Then she became mocking: ‘You still do not know a thing…’

Heroes of this story are not Ban Ki-moon, Martti Ahtisaari nor Erhard Busek, but granny Ljubica and her ‘Granddad’ from Velika Plana. ‘Me and my granddad left 40 years in that Austria, we have been ransacked and we used to work like niggers. We were only 20 when we moved there and we stayed longer then we had planed… Year by year, just to make for the car, just to make for the house, and that is it.’ I took out of the bag some leaflets for my symposium and I started to write… ‘And I was asked by my friend Regina if it was the truth that Serbs were eating small kids, just imagine, they have never known a thing about Serbs’ granny Ljubica continued her story. ‘There is no chance for our Serbian guy to succeed in Vienna. That was not done by anyone since Nikola Tesla. And for all that time we were in Schwarz; we have worked there and now we finally had enough strength to retire… And live these few years left in Serbia… But there, in Schwarz, we had everything… One was able to go visit someone in hospital at any time, and not only for a few hours, like the case is with us. You should change that if you were in position, when you become politician!’ she started to shout.

This dialogue, where I was only nodding my head and asking, became interesting for one young lady, who ‘desperately wanted to inform me that salary of one Viennese ladies maid is one thousand and seven hundreds euros and that my education will not be worth a thing if I do not have enough money. It was really important for me to hear that if you are working at some Miss Elena in Bregenz, you will make her wild cat sleepy if you by putting some Rakija under her nose. I dispose with million more pieces of information regarding King’s funeral, because granny Ljubica gave cobalt’s plate to his widow… But that all had happened before ‘Our lovely Yugoslavia’ became fragmented. And then farewell moment has arrived.

Everyone on his on road… Me – to Tyrol. Mountain national village, Alpbach, not far away from Innsbruck was looking the same as in the cards. You could keep the fog on your hands and, as Milana says, ‘grass is impossibly green’. After spending two days in place from fairytale, where you could run in to one of thirty ambassadors within the UN on streets while having a walk, I forgot about stories from the train. Lectures, discussions, lobbying and meeting were advantages of this small place. Members of Initiative Group Alpbach Belgrade were shining while performing national anthem ‘Good of justice’ on international evening. The main topic of this-year European Forum Alpbach was ‘Trust’. I used to have a lot of doubts and remarks regarding this beautiful topic. I started to ‘believe’ in knowing important people, in shaking hands and in idea that no one has interests, they all just want to learn something new. I started, just as Ban Ki-moon, to ‘think’ that we will all between ourselves start to build bridges on trust. However, not everyone gets an opportunity to meet as many interesting people… And just at the moment, when I was getting ready for one of the most important receptions, my phone rang. That was granny Ljubica from Schwarz calling to ask how one Serbian child found its place within occupiers…?