ABOUT THE FORUM
After more than a decade of annual gathering, the Bled Strategic Forum has evolved into a leading international conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe, bringing together a diverse set of participants, including heads of state and government, ministers, diplomats, businesspeople, scholars and experts, youth, and media from around the world.
The Forum focuses on engaging the participants in discussions about, and seeking out of the box solutions for, the compelling regional and global challenges. In addition, it provides an excellent opportunity for tailored bilateral and multilateral meetings and networking with prominent regional and global actors from the spheres of diplomacy, policy, business, science, and innovation.
LOOKING BACK
With over 1000 participants (including BSF, Business BSF and Young BSF) from 66 countries, the 2017 Bled Strategic Forum was the biggest and most successful event in its history. The Business BSF, an integral part of the Bled Strategic Forum will offer the possibility for networking and exchange of ideas between political and business leaders of today.
The participants in 2017 included 1 head of state, 2 heads of government, 16 foreign and 27 other ministers, 14 representatives of international organizations and 28 other high-level guests. The Forum was covered by 140 media representatives, including television, radio and newspaper journalists, which were supported by 59 partners and sponsors. Around one third of participants at the event were representatives of economy and business.
BRIDGING THE DIVIDE
Despite technological advances and enhanced interconnectivity, we do not share a common understanding of the world in which we live. The array of tools at our disposal to engage in effective, inclusive and transparent dialogue is greater than ever before in the history of mankind – new scientific advances, greater understanding of ourselves, new learning techniques, new frameworks for cooperation and dialogue, new ways to communicate – and yet, the predictions and, indeed, hopes that access to information would result in greater homogeneity have failed to materialize.
Under the title ‘Bridging the Divide’, the 13th Bled Strategic Forum planned for 10 and 11 September 2018 will be dedicated to overcoming our traditional perceptions and searching for things that we have in common, thus ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for everyone.
ORGANIZERS
Bled Strategic Forum is a project of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
It is organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective.
