Support program to Serbian Parliament in EU integration process

Having in mind that majority of citizens is in favor of EU integration of Serbia (70%), but that they are poorly informed  EMINS in cooperation with Balkan Trust for Democracy and Committee for European Integration of the Serbian Parliament has started with Support program to Serbian Parliament in EU integration process which idea is to provide local and regional stakeholders (such as NGO’s, local governments, business community etc.) and all interested citizens with  knowledge of values and principles of democratic societies upon which EU is based.

Aims of the project are:

1. To raise awareness of the European and Euro-Atlantic link and the importance of Serbian parliament in the process of negotiation and potential candidature and to advocate it at the local and regional level;
2. To facilitate and enable communication between citizens in Serbia, who are interested in topics related to European and Euro-Atlantic integration;
3. To provide participants with the comprehensive approach to the integration process, with a special attention given to the understanding of necessity of joining NATO and other Euro-Atlantic initiatives
4. To instigate the network of competent actors in European integration process in Serbia, capable to act within the complexities of integration process in contemporary democratic societies;
5. To establish contacts that will enable participants to comprehend and act in general interest for this country;
6. To offer the participants the opportunity to gain broader knowledge concerning European integration, regional co-operation, transatlantic link and security;
7. To give the participants opportunity to share their own ideas about association of Serbia to the EU; to give participants basic knowledge which will encourage them to become active participants in processes which will mark all policies in this country in next fifteen years.

Activities

Brochure - special brochure “European Union and EU Integrations” will be published for the purpose of the project. Also, all participants will be supplied by other materials which will be prepared in cooperation with interested embassies.
Presentation of the brochure – brochure will be presented to the public on press conference. Project will be advertised in the local press with aim to attract as much as possible attention of local stakeholders and citizens interested in this issue.
Conferences - the plan of the project is designed for members of the Parliament and experts to carry out intensive one-day conferences and debates in three Serbian towns, geographically situated in different parts of the country, with about 100 participants. (additional three conferences will be organized by Council of Europe in Serbia). Through this roundtables participants will receive basic and fundamental knowledge about the European Union, Euro-Atlantic integration processes, history of the “Idea of Europe”, institutions and politics of the European Union, the Process of Stabilization and Association to the European Union of Serbia and potential membership in the NATO, as well as provided with an opportunity to debate the ideas with MPs and other professionals.

Target group: Local and regional stakeholders (civil society organizations, media, local governments, professional associations, NGOs, business community, religious communities etc.) as well as citizens in selected towns interested in European and Euro-Atlantic integration, willing to participate in the conferences (workshops).

Duration: nine months