This programme began in May 2002 and will be held over a period of four years. SEDI focuses on the countries of former Yugoslavia – plus one, minus one; that is with the inclusion of Albania and exclusion of Slovenia. Precisely these countries have been chosen as they share similar problems and the search for common solutions to our regional issues remains the cornerstone of lasting peace and advancement.
The project site will vary from year to year, changing from country to country with the inclusion of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro (events to be held in the territories of both Serbia and Montenegro). The project commenced with a summer school held on 17 – 21 July in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The programme will endeavour to create a lasting mechanism of cooperation and key skills development that will be held annually and involve the participation of individuals from the country focus area that is mentioned above.
Although the objectives of the project are numerous, the primary aim is to cater for the education of young security experts from the South East European region. Young experts would like to actively participate in government policy formulation and decision-making; however, existing cadres, practice and lack of information regarding contemporary procedures often hamper their participation. Moreover, the ability to effectively exercise that role has been impaired by archaic administrative and political structures and practices, and insufficient access to new ideas and innovations.
At the same time, the work of lecturing security subjects has been further constrained by many of the inefficient practices, styles and norms that were inherited from the university administrations of the socialist period, as well as a lack of relevant curricula and materials. Consequently, the academic and professional development of young security experts is almost wholly disregarded and the project aims to make remedy towards these deficiencies.
The project will target young professionals from government ministries, parliaments, academia, and the media, as well as students within security subjects and other related areas; and the subsequent focus will be the inclusion of these persons from the project’s country focus areas.