KAS-BSEC Workshop 2018 - Foundation Office Turkey
Workshop
Details
The 50th workshop was themed on “Regional Policies in the Wider Black Sea Region” and took place from 22nd-24th October 2018 at Hilton Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul. For the first time the focus of the workshop were young diplomats representing 11 different BSEC Member States. The workshop was attended by 20 young diplomats.
The main aim of the Workshop was to familiarize the participating young diplomats with the broader issues of regional context. Besides contributing to their career development, the workshop provided an excellent opportunity to meet with young colleagues from the Black Sea Region and promote the importance of regional cooperation among the future foreign policy decision-makers.
The first evening was dedicated to an exchange with former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Ivaylo KALFIN, on challenges for young diplomats in which he advised them not to lose the enthusiasm and the willingness to learn and evolve themselves as diplomatic work in the early stages can be routine and always goes through stages which might not be easy.
On the first day of the workshop the President of TÜSIAD (Turkish Industry&Business Association) Mr. Erol BILECIK held a keynote speech on strengthening the economic cooperation in the wider Black Sea Area saying that global players can’t ignore the benefits of this region that gives a direction to the markets especially in the field of energy with resources in gas, petroleum and transportation due to its potential to be a trade corridor with maritime facilities. The region offers tremendous opportunities for the business community Mr. Bilecik added to his comments.
Afterwards Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Ivaylo KALFIN shared his views on regional policies, the importance of good relations and good will with neighbor states, regional stability as key for economic independence. In his speech he pointed out the role of the EU in the Black Sea Region.
The afternoon session was focusing on “Refugees and Migration”, a very important topic for the whole Black Sea Region. Mr. Epaminondas FARMAKIS, Founder of the Greek NGO Human Rights360 informed the participants about the refugee crises in the region, global problems conditioned with it. Mr. Farmakis gave data according to decreasing refugee numbers to Greece and Europe because of the result of the EU-Turkey statement and other policies to externalize the EU borders. There were five main challenges the past three years across the EU: strict border management; inadequate living conditions in reception centers; restrictive asylum procedures; vulnerability of unaccompanied children; and immigration processes turning into detention.
The second expert was Ms. Jeanette ZÜFLE, Head of Protection Service of the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Europe explained the mandate and role of UNHCR to the young diplomats followed by data about flight and migration, displacement and refugees.
The first workshop day ended with a dinner speech of Dr. Marcus SLEVOGT, President of the German Chamber of Commerce in Istanbul. Mr. Slevogt did a presentation on “Universal Views of Entrepreneurship” and explained the hierarchy of entrepreneurship, the key conditions for qualitative growth and sources of competitive advantages. In mutual questions he gave tips and tricks to build a successful path to become the hidden champions of entrepreneurship.
On the second workshop day Prof. Dr. Iulian CHIFU, President of the Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Center in Bucharest informed the young diplomats about security and evolution of the Wider Black Sea Region. He stressed out the confrontation between countries and defending their interests in the region doesn’t automatically mean to start a war but the diplomatic dialogue with multiple actors even in inconvenient moments has to be continued by all parties.
The second part of this day was dedicated on an educational simulation game on “Action at the BSEC regional level aimed at contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. The young diplomats had been assigned with the task to represent a diplomat of another BSEC Member State different from his/her country of origin. This game was held under the moderation and with the supervising of Mr. Nicholas EMIRZAS, First Secretary for Economic and Commercial Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic. The aim was to introduce participants to the objectives, procedures and functioning of the BSEC Organization, while familiarizing them with some of the most important issues of regional cooperation like healthcare and pharmaceutics, transport, education, green energy and climate change.
In their closing remarks Mr. Sven-Joachim IRMER, Director of KAS Turkey and Amb. Michael B. CHRISTIDES, Secretary General of the BSEC PERMIS touched upon the importance of organizing such events which are an investment for the future. It was stated that the workshop has been envisaged as a project promoting the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, contributing to the enhancement of mutual respect and confidence, of dialogue and cooperation.
The participants actively participated in the workshop, contributed to the lively discussions and had an excellent opportunity for networking
The KAS-BSEC Workshop ended with the presentation of certificates of attendances and the proposal of the young diplomats to organize it on an annual basis.
