The Power of Trust
This 1 and 2 September, Bled is hosting the 9th Bled Strategic Forum, organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for European Perspective under the title The Power of Trust, accompanied by two parallel events, Business BSF and Young BSF.
Bled Strategic Forum (BSF)
The Philosophy of Leadership will be at the centre of the main panel, held under the patronage of President Borut Pahor. The traditional forms of leadership are evidently no longer adequate for addressing new challenges, and a shift to modern and proactive trends in politics and business is needed. But this also requires a change in the attitudes of leaders; they will have to adapt or change their way of thinking.
Cyber security and data protection will be discussed as matters of grave importance for governments, businesses and civil society by a panel entitled Contemporary Threats: Cyber Security – a Global Challenge and an Opportunity.
One of the greatest social and economic challenges of recent years will be addressed under the title Demographic Change – Another Threat or an Opportunity. The ageing population and longer life expectancy have changed expectations and demands. This panel will examine the links between, and co-dependence of, the younger and the older generations.
Slovenia's position between the Alps, the Mediterranean, and the Pannonia Basin and the Western Balkans make it the perfect location to discuss The Spirit of Central Europe and the need for greater integration, fewer social and economic differences and a common approach to resolving international issues.
The traditional Western Balkans panel will address regional integration under the title The Future of the Western Balkans – How to Make Regional Cooperation Work: how can different regional initiatives be streamlined to make them more effective?
The digital economy will be on the agenda at the night-owl session. This year, an early-bird session on 2 September will be introduced to discuss the hidden dimensions in international relations.
Business BSF
The power of trust, a fundamental value of all business endeavours, will be at the heart of the Business BSF, too. Trust builds and strengthens ties, creates new jobs and drives progress. Trust is essential for increasing social capital and for sustainable economic growth. The discussion will focus on finding a balance between different parts of Europe and Interconnecting South-East Europe in the Infrastructure Network of the EU, improving business cooperation between India and Central and South-East Europe and technological innovation as the driving force of economic growth – Start (up) New Technologies! The future role of global tourism and modern trends in tourism will be the topic of The Power of Tourism, held in parallel, placing special attention on the effect of tourism on international relations and economic exchange in Central and South-East Europe. Part two will take a closer look at how the process of glocalisation can boost trust in the region.
Young BSF
Ambitious young leaders, diplomats, scholars, NGO representatives and business people will gather for this year's Young BSF under the title The Potential of Trust. Recognising that tradition comes second to creativity, the forum changes its format every year, while preserving its innovative approach to youth-related issues. This networking platform for young leaders from various professional backgrounds and different parts of the world will be held in three parts this year.
The Young BSF Business Case Competition will be launched on Wednesday, 27 August, with seven teams of post-graduates competing on a business case. On Friday, 29 August, the competitors will be joined by 25 young leaders who were selected from nominations put forward by Slovenian ambassadors abroad and foreign ambassadors accredited to Slovenia. Over the week-end, the Young BSF Camp will address youth-related issues and the potential of trust in a globalised world in a creative programme, through interactive activities and networking opportunities. On the afternoon of Monday, 1 September, the participants will be joined by 150 young Slovenian leaders, who will take part, with the participants of the Bled Strategic Forum, in a separate panel titled The Potential of Trust. The participants of the Young BSF will have full access to the Bled Strategic Forum and Business BSF.
Bled Strategic Forum has become well-established and grown into one of the most prominent high-level international conferences in this part of Europe. The event is visited by more than 500 guests from around the world every year, including eminent senior politicians, senior representatives of international organisations and financial institutions, successful business people, representatives of the academic sphere, NGOs and the media.
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