Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
This publication illustrates the efforts of the government to assist Serbia on its path towards European integration. If you would like to receive more information about programmes, projects and opportunities that are available, please contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade or visit the embassy website. A team of local and expatriate staff is available to provide you with more information. Moreover, the embassy team is keen to assist you with creative ideas on how people in Serbia and the Netherlands can support each other in the true European spirit!
Contents
3 | Introduction 6 | Reconstruction/Transitional Justice 9 | Rule of Law 12 | Good Governance 14 | Human Rights 17 | Media 23 | Environment 27 | Agriculture 30 | Capacity Building 35 | Private Sector Development 39 | Culture and Public Diplomacy 44 | Police 46 | Defence
Introduction
This publication serves to illustrate the Dutch governments efforts at contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in Serbia over the past thirteen years1. During that period the Netherlands has supported a variety of projects in the fields of agriculture, capacity building, culture, defence, environment, good governance, human rights, media, police, private sector development, reconstruction, transitional justice and the rule of law. This magazine provides an overview of Dutch assistance to Serbia, as well as bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and Serbia, through a selection of successful projects realised in Serbia during the past 13 years.
H.E. Laurent Louis Stokvis MA Ambassador to Serbia, Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Photo: Art foto
meant that the focus of projects changed to supporting Serbia in meeting accession criteria for becoming a member state of the European Union (EU).
2 Matra is derived from the Dutch term Maatschappelijke Transitie, meaning Social Transition. 3 PSOM is an abbreviation for Programma Samenwerking Opkomende Markten, meaning Emerging Markets Cooperation Programme. 4
Photo: NL Agency
5
Reconstruction/Transitional Justice
Reconstruction and Transitional Justice: Contributing to the Transformation of Former Yugoslav Societies
The wars during the 1990s devastated the social, economic and political structures of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The Dutch government, therefore, supports projects aimed at reconstructing former Yugoslav societies. This involves multiple elements varying from building security and economic stability to regaining trust in fellow citizens and state institutions. Trust can be built through various means, for example by truth-seeking mechanisms and by re-establishing justice. However, this is a time consuming process. The Netherlands aims to contribute to this reconciliation and transformation process by supporting various projects. Project examples are the reconstruction of a ferry connection between Croatia and Serbia and support for the setting up of a reconciliation commission for the countries and peoples of the former Yugoslavia.
nection was celebrated greatly, with the presence of both then presidents Boris Tadi (Serbia) and Ivo Josipovi (Croatia). Together with Dutch ambassador Stokvis, president Tadi joined Golubicas first trip from Ba to Vukovar, where the Croatian president welcomed them. Since then the two municipalities have been working together to ensure the successful operation of the ferry and proper and periodical maintenance. This
Dutch initiative not only re-established the former ferry connection, but can also be perceived as an ingredient for mutual trust and good neighbourly relations between Vukovar and Ba.
Project name: Procurement Ferryboat Vukovar Ba Duration: October 2009 March 2011 Contribution: 1,000,000 Places: Vukovar (Croatia) and Ba (Serbia)
RECOM
Fostering support for regional post conflict truth-seeking and truth-telling in the Western Balkans The Coalition for RECOM is a non-political regional gathering of civil society organisations. It consists of a network of more than 1800 non-governmental organisations, associations and individuals who represent and promote the Initiative for RECOM towards the establishment of a Regional Commission Tasked with Establishing the Facts about All Victims of War Crimes and Other Serious Human Rights Violations Committed on the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia in the period from 1991-2001 (RECOM). Through this regional commission the voices of victims of the Yugoslav wars can be heard in public (as is seldom the case), facts can be identified and consequently trust between different nationalities can be built. The Netherlands supported RECOM from 2006 to 2011 and the project is still on-going! The project comprises
Photo: RECOM
activities such as coordinating, strengthening and diversifying the Regional Coalition, as well as an aggressive outreach campaign to foster support among the public for post-conflict fact-finding. Furthermore, it attempts to sensitise national governments of the Western Balkans to establish RECOM. Examples of activities are: debate on truth-telling mechanisms and mechanisms for identifying facts about the past to launching RECOM and consultations and regional and international forums for Transitional Justice. In terms of consultation, local, national and regional debates and forums are organised.
Project name: Fostering support for regional post conflict truth-seeking and truthtelling in the Western Balkans Duration: 20062011 Contribution: 960,700 Regions: Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia
Photo: RECOM
8
Rule of Law
Strengthening the Rule of Law
One of the key requirements for becoming a member of the European Union is to have well-functioning and independent Rule of Law. Funding is important to assist the judiciary and legal practitioners in Serbia in the process of implementing and applying new legislation. The Netherlands supports projects aimed at improving (the implementation of) Serbian law and adjusting it to international and EU standards.
Netherlands was involved in the setting up of the (then) Judicial Training Centre from 2001 to 2004 through the United Nations Development Programme (Netherlands contribution: $850,000). As the law required transformation and the training centres working method was ad-hoc, the training centre needed improvement. Therefore the Netherlands supported the OSCE Mission to Serbia in reorganising and transforming the former Judicial Training Centre to the Judicial Training Academy. Since then this fully-fledged institution is solely responsible for the training of judges, prosecutors and their assistants. The project also established and developed a mentoring system of trainee judges/prosecutors and supported
9
The aim was to increase the efficiency of the administration of justice. The project aimed to contribute to the process of social transformation in Serbia by facilitating and assisting the judiciary in Serbia in implementing legislative and institutional adaptations. In order to achieve this goal, several training courses were organised for the Serbian judiciary and legal practitioners. Topics addressed included the implementation of new legislation on the organisation of judiciary and European Commission instruments in the area of conflict of law rules, jurisdictional rules and the rules governing judicial cooperation. Besides the training courses, conditions for a continued legal education namely training for trainers of the judiciary in Serbia in those areas of law were organised by local partners.
judges and prosecutors in effectively using the services offered by the newly created Judicial Academy.
Duration: October 2009 September 2011 Contribution: 200,000 Place: Novi Sad
The Netherlands supports Serbia in reinforcing its judicial authorities in dealing with war crimes. The
goals is to ensure that war crimes trials are conducted in accordance with international standards, strengthening regional co-operation in war crimes proceedings and raising public support for domestic war crimes trials and co-operation with the ICTY.
Good Governance
Strengthening Good Governance
The Netherlands embassy attempts to assist the Serbian government in reinforcing good governance by improving transparency and accountability in the government, legislature, judiciary and independent institutions. As such, it supports activities that strengthen corruption deterrence, raise public awareness and contribute to institutional capacity building and reform of public administration of the government. Examples of projects in this field are the study on anti-corruption by Professor Van Duyne, a Dutch professor and specialist in the field of corruption, and a whistle-blowers project.
Study on Anti-Corruption
The study of Professor Van Duyne called Intensifying Anti-corruption Policy in Serbia by Furthering Law Enforcement Transparency and Evidence-Based Policy Making not only provided updated insight in data transparency from police to the courts, but also provided a basis for improvement of the cooperation and collaboration between agencies involved. Professor Van Duyne and his research team created furthermore a tool that can update and integrate existing information of the courts and prosecution offices. Implementation of the tool will raise transparency, whilst also playing a role in presenting business and citizens with an accurate state of affairs of tackling corruption in Serbia!
Duration: 1 October 2010 February 2012 Contribution: 57,000
12
Professor Van Duyne at the Conference Corruption and Social Development in Belgrade. Photo: Duan Bokovi
In order to make the study accessible to the broader public in Serbia, research results were translated from English into Serbian and promoted at various events, such as the Symposium on Corruption, held in Belgrade in May 2012.
Independent Institutions Reporting From identification of problems to solutions Transparency Serbia (TS)
The goal of this project is to strengthen the accountability of Serbian Government through effective work of independent institutions. The project activities mainly focus on the reporting of independent institutions, and include analysis of problems identified in the reports and proposed recommendations, as well as monitoring of discussions of the parliamentary oversight committees
and their follow up with proposed actions to address issues flagged in these reports. Furthermore, within the scopes of this project the experts of Transparency Serbia are drafting proposals to address some of the issues identified in the reports and are lobbying for timely, adequate and transparent public discussions.
Duration: July 2012 July 2013 Contribution: 23,501
Human Rights
Durable Solutions and Promotion of Human Rights
Human rights are an important topic under the criteria for Dutch development cooperation with Serbia. This is why the Netherlands supports the Serbian government in its efforts to address human rights issues. It also provides continuous support in the long-term promotion of human rights. Dutch efforts range from durable solutions for large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and tackling human trafficking, to the prevention of societal violence and discrimination against minorities, particularly Roma and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. An example of Dutch support is its assistance to the previous Serbian Ministry of Human Rights in developing an anti-discrimination strategy. To-
The latter project focused particularly on LGBT youth and sensitised young people active in civil society organisations. Through different kinds of activities and training, emphasis was placed on the human right to sexual orientation diversity and problems that their LGBT peers face in their everyday life. The Step Up project also marked Pride Day by staging a press conference and erecting rainbow flags from the windows of state institutions in Serbia. gether with this ministry, the Netherlands supports Serbian authorities in their efforts to promote human rights and combat discrimination. In this regard, the Netherlands also cooperates with the Serbian Office for Human Rights.
ASTRA was also invited by the Serbian government to provide input to the Action Plan of The Government of Serbia for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. A major successful project supported by the Dutch government was the project Promotion of the Rights of Trafficked Persons in Serbia with Emphasis on Legal Support, a joint initiative of the Netherlands Helsinki Committee and ASTRA. The project had a significant impact by achieving different objectives. All major organisations and institutions of the National Referral Mechanism that were in contact with (possible) trafficked persons were provided with tools for informing these victims of their rights, including legal counsel and legal aid, in criminal and civil procedures. A network of 30 lawyers was also established. These lawyers are working all over Serbia and are able to provide good quality legal counsel to trafficked persons, using all available legal tools. On top of this, a collection of relevant materials and best practices on legal counsel to victims was compiled and made available for all relevant stakeholders. Another result pivotal for addressing human trafficking is the enhancement of judges, prosecutors and police staffs knowledge on victims rights and practical problems during investigations and trial procedures. The Netherlands also supported other projects, such as the Conference on Human Trafficking. This conference was organised to promote international standards and cross border cooperation in combating trafficking in human beings. Furthermore, the conference promoted the establishment of the institute of a National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings in Serbia, of which the Dutch model served as a basis.
Duration: 3 years (20102012) Contribution: 570,000
16
An example of providing practical assistance is the development of the Training Module for Border Police Officers. This training relies on best practices and the experience of anti-trafficking stakeholders in the Netherlands who already developed a similar model. The training involves 20 representatives of Serbian border police. It is very useful, as the expertise transferred provides them with advanced skills to recognise (potential) victims of human trafficking.
Duration: 1 January 1 May 2012 Contribution: 19,740
Parade
In 2010 and 2011 the Embassy of the Netherlands supported from the Human Rights Fund and from MATRA the production and promotion of the film Parade that addresses issues of tolerance and human rights, with a special focus on LGBT rights. Parade is a comedy and a drama at the same time, with lots of sarcasm and black humor, typical for the Balkans mentality. The story plots around two characters - a gay and a homophobe, who are forced to work together and eventually, become friends. In a wider perspective, Parade is a metaphorical story that sends a very strong message to the audience that human rights are universal. The film premiered in Belgrade and was then shown in movie theaters in all countries in the region with great success. It was also shown at the Berlin Film Festival Berlinale, where it received the award of the audience.
Media
On the Road to High Professional Journalism and a Democratic Media System
The Netherlands supports Serbias transformation to a democratic society and with this the transformation of the Serbian media system. It especially encourages media projects increasing professional journalism, as well as projects addressing different media challenges, such as becoming independent from political and economic elites. Two project examples are the World Press Photo exhibition and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN).
World Press Photo opening at Studio M, Novi Sad. Photo: Nenad Mitoevi
17
18
World Press Photo is an organisation supporting and advancing high standards in photojournalism and documentary photography worldwide. It also strives to generate wide public interest in, and appreciation for, the work of photographers and for free exchange of information.
In addition, a workshop with the topic Renewal for 17 young photojournalists was held in Belgrade. The image deemed the best photo was published in the Dutch daily NRC Next. A workshop was held by the photographer Dirk-Jan Visser, who also held a lecture for media students of Singidunum University and the Faculty of Political Sciences.
Building the Balkan Investigative Reporting The Embassy of the Netherlands, together with the Network
OSCE Mission in Serbia and the Cultural Centre Dom Omladine Belgrade, organised the World Press Photo exhibition with various subsidiary events in Belgrade during May 2009 and in Novi Sad and Belgrade in July and August 2012. By supporting and organising these events, the Netherlands tried to encourage a high level of photo journalism and media freedom in Serbia. One of the main activities of World Press Photo is the annual press photography contest, to which over 100,000 photographs are submitted every year by photographers from around the world. The exhibition featured 185 photographs in 10 categories (spot news, general news, people in the news, nature, contemporary issues, sports action, sports features, daily life, portraits and arts & entertainment) and was visited by over 6,000 people within just two weeks. Next to the exhibition in 2009 a debate on Challenges to Media Freedom was organised. Participants were RTV B92 Director Veran Mati, Vreme weekly journalist Dejan Anastasijevi, Director of Vranjske weekly Vukain Obradovi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Moscow Novaya Gazeta Vitaly Yaroshevsky and the Economist journalist Tim Judah. By supporting the foundation of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), the Netherlands aimed to enhance professional journalism in the Balkans. The reporting network emerged from the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). In 2006 BIRN was supported in order to create an interconnected network of journalists across the Balkans, capable of analysing key transition issues and the process of European integration for policy-makers and the
public at large and to help this media outlet become sustainable by becoming income-generating. BIRNSs network of local organisations, individual journalists and independent media organisations were participants in the project. The result was the increased strength of journalists and analysts across the region and their increased capacity to reach out to other media, NGOs, institutions, policymakers and society at large.
20
Activities aimed at building investigative teams in the BIRN network included training in more coherent and comprehensive coverage and economic reporting, as well as publications, such as BIRNs online publication Balkan Insight featuring a number of reports by participating journalists. BIRNs capacities were enhanced through the development of a network system, staff training, improving the BIRN website and distribution.
Photo: NL Agency
22
Environment
Environment: A Special Focus of the Netherlands
In recent years the Netherlands has played a leading role in addressing environmental problems of the Western Balkans transition countries. The Dutch consider environment an important issue and the current environmental situation in these countries led to a special budget being created. The use of outdated industrial facilities and the lack of an integrated approach to environmental issues, combined with the recent history and the complex social-political situation in the Western Balkans, are the main causes for environmental degradation. Air and water pollution, together with hazardous waste, pose the biggest threats to the health of the population. Throughout the region there are numerous heavily contaminated sites related to industrial and mining activities. In addition, many cities and towns have insufficient water supply systems, which impact on the availability and quality of potable water, while wastewater treatment facilities are often lacking. Recognising the need for a coordinated approach, the Netherlands developed a Regional Environmental Programme. This programme attempted to strengthen capacities in the Western Balkans countries for addressing environmental problems. The Western Balkans Environmental Programme contributed to increasing the capacities of the national and local governments in the Western Balkans to implement sustainable environmental policies in accordance with EU standards. Furthermore, it strengthened regional cooperation in the Western Balkans to solve problems of cross-border contamination due to industrial mining activities. Two examples of projects supported through the Regional Environmental Programme were NEWEN and Hot Spots:
NEWEN - Netherlands and Western Balkans Environmental Network was an environmental cooperation and capacity building programme with partners from six universities in the Western Balkans and three universities and institutes based in the Netherlands. Cooperation between these different universities and institutes contributed to environmental capacity building at universities in the Western Balkans through a
23
number of activities, such as professional training of university staff, curriculum improvements and providing a number of MSc scholarships for post-graduate students to study in the Netherlands. Throughout the project information exchange and cooperation between the participating universities and institutes improved. Moreover, future research and training programmes with the participation of members of the Western Balkans and a Dutch consortium were also developed.
Project name: Duration: Contribution: Places: NEWEN October 2008 May 2011 1,769,362 Western Balkans and Netherlands
Another environmental project focused particularly on Hot Spots of the United Nations Development Programme. Throughout the project some nine priority environmental hot spots in the Balkans were cleaned and secured; awareness was raised and capacities for good environmental management at
local and international levels were strengthened. Furthermore, regional cooperation through improved information-sharing was enhanced, as was the supply of professional consultancy services regarding good environmental management. One of the Hot Spot projects that took place in Serbia was Remediation of the Grand Baka Canal. This project aided Serbia in resolving one of its key environmental hot spots: part of the Grand Baka Canal that runs through the municipality of Vrbas in Vojvodina. Due to the heavy industrialisation of this area in the 20th century, the canal became increasingly polluted. In the worst stretch, around Vrbas, the canal was filled with industrial sludge from food processing factories, pig farms, slaughterhouses, edible oil factories, metal processing and untreated sewage from towns nearby. As this area was considered one of the most polluted waterways in Europe, works involved a main wastewater collector to connect two municipalities and over 20 industries to a new wastewater treatment system. This 6.6 km construction of a new sewerage network collects industrial and communal waste waters from industry and surrounding settlements for treatment and prevents the continuing pollution of the Grand Baka Canal.
Project name: Western Balkans Environmental Programme Remediation of the Grand Baka Canal Duration: 20072010 Contribution: in total $3,700,000, of which $1,700,000 provided by the Dutch government Place: Baka area, Vojvodina
Photo: NL Agency
24
Agriculture
The Netherlands maintains close contacts with all national/local institutions and governments in the field of agriculture through its Office for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality at the Netherlands Embassy in Belgrade. Through its services, the Netherlands aims to support Serbia in meeting accession criteria in the fields of agriculture, nature and food quality. As such, special attention is given to veterinary (animals and livestock), phytosanitary (health of plants) and food safety regulations. agri-business environment and prepares negotiating schemes for the improvement of trade and market issues when necessary. Moreover, the office supports small-scale nature conservation initiatives by local NGOs or institutes. Examples include projects that have improved Serbias potato sector and enriched conditions for birds at a nature reserve:
Digging a Canal at the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve Photo: Zasavica Special Nature Reserve
27
Seed Potato Multiplication Project. By using Dutch inputs - such as start-up materials, approaches and mechanisms of Dutch companies Agriplan, Agrico, AgroVent, N.A.K, and SAMON - the project realised improvements in yields and quality of seed potatoes for further multiplication. In cooperation with local company Agro-Mobil, the Dutch companies were able to design and implement a potato seed multiplication programme. This project also provided a platform for continued commercial cooperation between Dutch and local partners and spin-off sales. The potato seed multiplication programme was tailored to local conditions of the Serbian municipalities of
Rudno, Sjenica and Gua. An initial analysis of market preferences for the selection of suitable potato varieties was first executed. Subsequently, improvements were realised by using Dutch start-up materials, appropriate and efficient field mechanisation and the control of product quality during the growing season, post-harvest and during storage. The project proved to be a great success. Not only were all foreseen project objectives reached, but much more! Following completion of the project, AgroMobil expanded its cooperation with potato growers throughout the region. They are still cooperating with their partners from the Netherlands and attempting
to transfer production standards in the field of potato growing from the Netherlands to Serbia.
Project name: Certified Seed Potato Multiplication Project 1 November 2002 31 October 2004 Duration: Contribution: 548,523 by the Netherlands (plus 140,000 by recipient) Places: Rudno, Sjenica and Gua
The aim of this project was to separate the birds nesting area from the pasture, in order to ensure that cattle and humans would not disturb the colony. A canal no less than 1262 metres long, 2 metres wide and 2 metres deep was built to help realise this plan. As a result, the herons could no longer be disturbed. Together with the surrounding water depressions, with its source of food, conditions were created for the return of these bird colonies.
Some 65 years ago a mixed colony of white and grey herons used to exist in area of Valjevac. Suitable conditions arose due to rising water levels and land depressions, as well as the flow of water across the land: the population of swamp birds rose, driving cattle to that pasture intensified, as did the presence of humans. This seriously disturbed the colony of herons, some of which were nesting there.
Project name: Creating Conditions for the Return of the Colony of Herons at the Upper Part of the Valjevac Pasture in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve Duration: 1 year (2007) Contribution: 14,800 of the total amount of 18,800 was provided by the Netherlands Place: Zasavica Special Nature Reserve
29
Capacity Building
One of the Dutch focal points is capacity building. This is a developmental approach aimed at enhancing the abilities of people, governments and international organisations. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports open, pluralist, democratic societies within countries in transition, such as Serbia. To that end, the Dutch government developed an instrument called Matra Training for European Cooperation (MTEC). MTEC courses have been aimed at deepening knowledge and understanding of EU policies and its instruments, as well as sharing best practices in variety of related fields. The associated objectives of the MTEC programme are the creation of networks, the promotion of regional cooperation and the development of individual skills required for government officials to work professionally in the EU context. Through MTEC, Bojan ivadinovi and Andreja Nedeljkovi were able to develop and enhance their knowledge in a variety of fields.
INTERVIEW Bojan ivadinovi, Assistant Director at Directorate for Agrarian Payments, Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
Bojan ivadinovi currently works as Assistant Director for EU Affairs in the Directorate for Agrarian Payments (Paying Agency), which is part of the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management. He participated in two so-called MTEC training courses in Wageningen, Netherlands, in 2006 and 2008. The first focused on food safety and strengthening food safety systems in new and candidate Member States of the European Union and in neighbouring countries; the second covered the EUs Common Agriculture Policy. In an interview he explained the training sessions he attended, what he learned and their benefits to his job and Serbia as a country on its path to EU accession. The training was an opportunity to upgrade my knowledge Not only did the training benefit me, but also others as I am passing on information, for example via workshops for farmers and municipalities.
Bojan ivadinovi
30
What kind of training did you participate in and what did you learn?
During the first training course I learnt about technical issues and processes relating to food safety. This training proved useful to me, as I was working as a project manager at the Serbian European Integration Office at the time, in charge of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary issues. At the time I had a basic knowledge of food safety. Throughout the second training course I learnt about the new priorities of the EU and the perspective of Dutch agriculture. Again I updated and broadened my knowledge, albeit this time on another topic: the EUs Common Agriculture Policy. I received a lot of information at the university in Wageningen, the Netherlands, where the training took place. Quite a number of field trips to Dutch farms and companies were also included, which provided us with full insight into Dutch Agriculture from the perspective of individual Dutch Farmers.
Bojan ivadinovi: Assistant Director at the Directorate for Agrarian Payments, Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (2009present) Advisor at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (20082009) Training on Common Agriculture Policy of the EU, Netherlands (2008) Training on Food Safety Systems, Netherlands (2006) Advisor to the Government of the Republic of Serbia, European Integration Office (20042008) Graduate of Political Science at Belgrade University (19982004)
ties who also enhance and broaden their knowledge on European policies and EU policy processes. In this way, and on its path towards EU accession, Serbia as a country is progressing and developing, because the quality of products and labour standards are improving. So you could say that the Serbian people are ultimately benefiting from these developments.
To what extent did the training benefit the country of Serbia as a whole?
As the quality of products and labour standards are improving, so more Serbian companies will meet required EU criteria. This makes it possible for Serbia to export more to EU countries, which is good for our economy. Serbia will also receive more EU investments when it improves the quality of products, which enables the industry to develop further. This is important, as well as EU accession in this respect, because (nowadays) Serbian policy and economy easily change or fluctuate. The EU is more constant and stable.
31
INTERVIEW Andreja Nedeljkovi project coordinator at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
At the age of 26 Andreja moved to the Netherlands to study International and European Law at the University of Amsterdam. He could enhance his knowledge and increase career opportunities thanks to the MTEC Programme, one of the development instruments of the Netherlands government. Thanks to the Netherlands Development Co-operation with Serbia, I was able to study in the Netherlands. Without my educational background I would not have been able to work at an international organisation such as the OSCE. Not only has the MTEC programme contributed to my career opportunities, but through me and other former students the programme also still contributes to Serbias transformation process.
Andreja Nedeljkovi: Works as project coordinator at the OSCE in Belgrade, Serbia (2009present) Research Master, Political Science, Bologna, Italy (20072009) Master of International and European Law at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (20062007) Worked at the Regional Centre for Minorities in Belgrade, Serbia (2006) Specialisation in European Law in a joint programme of the University of Belgrade and Nancy (2005) International Law at Belgrade University, Serbia (19992004)
Why did you want to study in the Netherlands? Where did it all start?
masters programmes in Europe: International and European Law. High quality is also what I later experienced: skilled professors and lecturers, the possibility to follow different study tracks and programmes tailored to students needs. Besides the courses, the university provided extra attention to students personal developments. Thanks to the Netherlands Development Co-operation with Serbia I could study in the Netherlands.
How did you apply for the Masters course After I finished my Bachelors Degree in International and the scholarship?
Law and specialisation in European Law I started working at the Regional Centre for Minorities, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) initiated by the Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. After nine months working there I wanted to gain international experience. I researched to identify a good quality master courses and found that the University of Amsterdam provided one of the best
32
Well, as far as I can remember some of the criteria were a high Grade Point Average (GPA), excellent results at the TOEFL/IELTS exam, previous work experience in public sectors or with CSOs. So, I am glad that I met the requested criteria. However, in terms of practicalities it was actually very simple. I visited the website of the University of Amsterdam and first applied for the masters in law (LL.M.) programme.
The website also provided information on different scholarships, including the MTEC Programme. I applied for this scholarship via the universitys website and after that everything was arranged via them.
I tried to visit typically Dutch places throughout the Netherlands, such as Utrecht and Tilburg. If you ask me what I think distinguishes the Dutch from the Balkan people I would have to say that they are organised, open, practical and economical. I would like to give you an example of each of these characteristics. They are organised in the sense that they all own notebooks and write their appointments down. They are open, as they are very accepting of people coming from other countries and always speak their mind. Lastly, they are economical and practical, as demonstrated through their daily use of bicycles in order to save fossil fuels.
my educational background I would not have been able to work at an international organisation like the OSCE, where I currently work. Not many people in Serbia are able to study abroad. And not many Serbian universities provide courses in European Law. Moreover, the ones that exist are poorly taught. As not many Serbians have acquired knowledge on European and International Law, Serbia lacks experts in the field of European Law. This is one of the barriers in the process of the EU integration: insufficient administrative capacities to apply the EU Law. The reason behind the MTEC programme was to build these capacities in the field of public administration and law, in order for the benefiting countries to easily access the EU.
MATRA PATROL
As of 2012, within the framework of MATRA program, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides training program for civil servants from pre-accession countries. The program is called PATROL - Preaccession training in Rule of Law. This training program for strengthening institutional capacity in the Rule of Law, aims to stimulate, support and contribute to the efficient implementation of the EU Acquis in this area and to strengthen relations between the Netherlands and the target countries by sharing the necessary knowledge and skills with policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe Department (DEU) has commissioned the T.M.C. Asser Institute with the implementation of this training program, in cooperation with Ecorys Nederland BV and The Hague Academy for Local Governance, during the period 2012-2015.
4 Agency NL is a bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Agriculture and Innovation. It is the central organ of the Dutch government responsible for promoting the international presence of Dutch companies on foreign markets and supporting private sector development in emerging markets. The agency provides Dutch companies with information and services critical for the pursuit of new opportunities in all markets. Additionally, it also provides financial support for activities contributing to sustainable private sector development in emerging markets. 35
sector development. A joint venture between the two companies was supported by Agency NL in 2002 and involved investments in assets necessary for cutting steel sheets for shipbuilding. What started off as an investment in small steel sheet cutting plant over time evolved into full scale vessel production. Shipyard Vahali is still located in Belgrade. Today the company employs almost 200 people and is upgrading its production to allow completion of vessels at their Belgrade site.
Duration: 20022005 Contribution: 556,000 Place: Belgrade
The Regional Balkan Programme was one of the elements of the Dutch regional policy towards the Western Balkans. The programme was an instrument aimed at fostering regional cooperation. The programme focused particularly on the fields of environment, good governance and private sector development.
The proof of innovation and creativity that the project has stirred can be seen in the type of start-ups supported. With minimum start-up capital, companies led by young people went into production of noise protection equipment, software development, cardboard packaging, childrens clothes manufacturing and many other areas. The City of Kragujevac was heavily dependent on its waning automotive industry, which at that time was generating nothing more than unemployment and a lack of perspectives for young people. Through this SPARK project the Netherlands managed to literally bring back sparks into young people to take their own initiative and economic con-
Photo: NL Agency
trol of their lives. Moreover, even though the business start-up centre is not part of the SPARK network anymore, it is still functioning!
Duration: 20082010 Contribution: 1,400,000 Place: Kragujevac
franchises, implementation of an information system proved the difference between growth and stagnation. The information system enabled quicker and more efficient operation in procurement, logistics and synchronization of production. As a result, the company has since increased turnover by twenty per cent. On top of this the number of employees increased from 145 to 220. In 12 months since the implementation of the programme another retail outlet was opened and some stores were able to begin operating 24/7. Product development was also improved, with three new products developed quarterly.
Project name: EBRD BAS Serbia Programme Duration: 20062012 Contribution: 2,900,000
37
with NDT ballet masters, were introduced to several ballet choreographies by Jir Kylin. The Regional Dance Programme then toured the home countries of the dancers. A documentary on the Regional Dance Programme was produced by students of the Belgrade Faculty for Dramatic Arts.
Founding of KC GRAD
The European Centre for Culture and Debate GRAD, also known as KC GRAD, was opened on 16th April 2009 in an old 1884 warehouse after a long and thorough renovation, partly financed by the Netherlands. Its location in an old neglected and rundown industrial neighbourhood in the very heart of Belgrade on the banks of the River Sava helped revive this old part of town. KC GRAD is a result of a joint initiative of the Belgrade Cultural Front and the Amsterdam Felix Meritis Foundation. Its programs have been supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 3 initial years.
Highlights of the Lowlands is an annual film festival featuring Dutch films. The festival took place for the
Exhibition of Stedelijk Museum collection at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Belgrade Literature evening at KC GRAD Photo: Stanislav Milojkovi
41
third time in 2012. The following cities participated in this touring programme: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Ni, Bujanovac, Novi Pazar, Kragujevac, Vranje, Uice, Lazarevac and Loznica. The Netherlands supported this project with contributions ranging from 2,000 to 4,000. Not only does the festival introduce the audience to Dutch films, but also to typical Dutch topics. Through this it deepens the knowledge and understanding of the Netherlands and Dutch culture.
Participation at festivals
Through the culture and public diplomacy programme conducted by the Netherlands Embassy in Belgrade, the Netherlands also supports the participation of Dutch artists in festivals in Serbia, such as the Belgrade Dance Festival, Mikser, Belgrade Design Week, the Guitar Art Festival, October Salon, ANIMANIMA and BINA (Belgrade International Architecture Week).
Police
Cooperation between Serbian and Dutch Police
In an interview Eric Vlaardingerbroek, Dutch project leader at the Netherlands Police Agency for international police cooperation with Balkan countries, explains how Dutch and Serbian police work together in different fields.
How do the Dutch and Serbian Police cooperate and in what kind of fields do they cooperate?
Cooperation between the Serbian and Dutch police comprises different aspects like intelligence led policing, protecting informants, international information exchange, risk analyses, training and study visits to the Netherlands and, last but not least, exchanging experiences in the field of combating organised crime.
versa) in order to provide assistance to their Serbian counterparts to support a specific investigation.
Will the Dutch and Serbian police continue cooperating in the future?
Recently the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security and the Serbian Minister of Interior signed a Memorandum of Understanding on police cooperation in The Hague. This shows the will and commitment of both parties to continue cooperation in the future.
45
Defence
Military Cooperation between Serbia and the Netherlands
The Netherlands develops and maintains military cooperation with Serbia through the Defence department of the Embassy of the Netherlands. This department assists the development of security and democracy and contributes to the military reform processes of both countries. The Defence department informs and maintains close contacts with both Dutch and Serbian authorities and exchanges relevant developments in the field of defence. The Dutch government supports numerous activities and projects contributing to the process of reforming the Serbian Armed Forces, examples are the English Language Training and the Non-Commissioned Officers Project:
Signing of the Military Bilateral plan between the Netherlands and Serbia
46
Furthermore, the English Language Training Programme illustrates how multiple stakeholders built successful cooperation and partnership: it has involved the Serbian Ministry of Defence and the Kingdoms of Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, the UK and the U.S.A. (since 2011). The British Council manages this project and the work between the donor countries and the Ministry of Defence is coordinated through a Management Board.
Assistance to the Serbian Armed Forces via the Non-Commissioned Officers Project
What are Non-Commissioned Officers? Non-Commissioned Officers, or NCOs, are military officers who are given authority by a commissioned officer, i.e., a commanding officer of a military unit. NCOs are regarded as the backbone of the military, because they play a crucial role in military operations: they inform their commissioned officers about issues and situations. NCOs develop their own specific expertise, for example in terms of weaponry. They can also provide their supervisors with advice and training in these specific military fields. Thus, they serve as both instructors and leaders. Good NCOs are crucial, as commissioned officers rely on them!
expanded later to assist the Serbian Armed forces in improving the quality of their NCO training. The opening of the new NCO School in Panevo in 2010 came as a direct result of this unique Dutch/Serbian cooperation.
Project name: Duration: Contribution: Place: Non-Commissioned Officers project 2007 present 65,000 Panevo
The Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) project started in 2007 as an initiative to exchange NCO students from Serbia to follow courses and training at the NCO School in the Netherlands. As Serbia is transforming its forces from a conscript army to a professional force, this timely project was well received. The project was
47
48
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Simina 29 11000 Belgrade Website www.nlembassy.rs E-mail bel@minbuza.nl Phone +381 11 2023900 Fax +381 11 2023999 Opening hours Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 17.00 Opening hours Consular Department Tuesday and Thursday: 09.00 - 10.00
Publisher Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade Design Branislav Nikoli Print Altanova, Zemun Edition 500 cps. Belgrade, Serbia December 2012
www.nlembassy.rs
Photo: AkzoNobel
Photo: Bleijh