In 2015, RAD will be concerned with how to build democratic institutions

The third annual cycle addresses institution-building processes in democratic societies. It will attempt to present the most common dilemmas in establishing good governance, from decentralisation to media freedom and to developing partnerships between government and civil society for more effective policy-making. While Western Balkan countries stem from a fairly similar system of state organisation and institutional design (in particular the ex-Yugoslav states), in the course of diverging transition processes they have developed in very different ways, not least since there is no definitive international or European blueprint to follow in this respect. In the course of this cycle, the participants will examine the institutional solutions that support democracy both in their national contexts and those developed by neighbouring countries, and get a chance to critically examine the policies that have yielded satisfactory results. They will also identify those challenges that remain shared, in particular with respect to political realities and their joint responsibility for the future.

The curriculum will be based on a variety of innovative learning methods, including interactive workshops, case studies, and introductions to the most prominent global leaders in this area. The study visit to Berlin will expose participants to first-hand experience of institutional reform. 

In 2015, the dynamics of the activities will be as follows:

Seminar 1, 26 February - 1 March, Montenegro:

Good Governance in the Western Balkans: Achievements of Democratic Transitions

Preliminary topics: Public administration reforms; Role of political parties; Regulatory reform; Economic governance and transparency in public funds; Citizen participation and election systems; Evidence-based policy making and the role of think tanks; Impacts of the EU accession process

Seminar 2, 16-19 April, Croatia: Local Democracy in the Western Balkans

Preliminary topics: Decentralisation of governance and implementation of the subsidiarity principle; Experiences with regionalisation; EU integration – bringing the benefits to the local level; Grassroots civil society and partnerships with local communities; Local government financing mechanisms and anti-corruption; EU regional policy

Seminar 3, 2-5 July, Macedonia: The Role of the Media and Status of Media Freedom in Contemporary Balkans

Preliminary topics: The changing role of the media in the 21st century; Role of public service broadcasters; Freedom of expression and media governance; Investigative journalism and the role of the media in fighting corruption; Global media in local settings; Internet use and the emergence of new media

International Study Visit: Berlin, Germany, September/October

Seminar 4, 27-30 November, Serbia: State and Non-State Actors in Effective Policy Implementation and Oversight

Preliminary topics: Changing role of parliaments; Independent regulatory bodies; Civil society as a watchdog; Role of international institutions; Socio-economic relations in transition and the new role of labour unions

RAD Alumni Conference, 1 December, Serbia: Democracy and Regional Cooperation in the Western Balkans

2015 RAD Dean: Mr Pierre Mirel, former Director of the DG Enlargement Unit for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo Issues. 

Multimedia