Given that the post-communist system transformation of the Western Balkans has never been accomplished, the question appears whether the region has been changing at all in political, economic and social terms.

The conference was inaugurated with the welcoming speeach by Swiss Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Christoph Graf, and the keynote speech by Mr Dusan Reljic, German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Head of Brussels Office.

It was followed by three panels on:

• Prospects of the Balkan Countries in Times of European Uncertainty;
• Informal Institutions, Corruption and Clientelism in the Western Balkans;
• RRPP’s Legacy in the Western Balkans: Social Science Research in a Post-conflict and Transformation Context,

five scientific workshops and the Research Fair including the presentation of three books and six emerging Research Networks of Excellence within the relevant fields.

The event was an opportunity to look back on the 10 years of RRPP, its achievements and lessons learnt.

The RRPP Programme has undoubtedly contributed to the regional research cooperation and research quality, guiding the scholars throughout the whole research process towards valuable findings and policy recommendations.

H.E. Christoph Graf stated in his speech:
"RRPP increased cross-border exchanges among researchers despite the sometimes difficult neighborhood relations. Thus, I am tempted to say that beyond helping science and research, RRPP also helped to bridge divides in the Western Balkans. In this context, I ask researchers from Serbia whether you have discovered more about Albania; and vice versa, did you, the researchers from Albania, get closer to the Serbian context?"

See the whole speeach of Swiss Ambassador to Tirana and a summary of the event in Albanian Daily News.

An interview with the Programme Director, Prof. Nicolas Hayoz, can be viewed here.

The report from the event will be available soon.

Source: RRPP