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As ethnic divisions ease in the Balkans, political parties across the spectrum are finding the need for new approaches that focus on thoughtful policy debate rather than personality and ethnicity. Young leaders in particular will play an important role in these changes.
In partnership with the VMRO-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), NDI co-hosted a meeting Feb. 5-7 of 35 young leaders from center-right Balkan political parties. At the meeting in Skopje, Macedonia, participants focused on how to attract youth to conservative values in the 21st century as well as how to tackle a wide range of issues, including those not traditionally seen as conservative.
Partner Spotlight
With the Croatian People’s Party (HNS) serving as host, NDI brought some 25 representatives of Balkan Liberal political parties to the Croatian capital, Zagreb, for two days of discussion about advocacy of Liberal views on Balkans issues at the European level.
In-Country Perspectives
The largest ethnic minority in Central and Eastern Europe, Roma continue to face discrimination and marginalization due to poverty, social ills and, in many cases, physical isolation. They are significantly underrepresented in mainstream political parties, hold few elected offices and have been unable to use political channels to solve many economic and social problems that affect their communities. NDI has been working with local candidates and political parties throughout the region in an effort to help Roma secure more equal political representation at all levels of government.
Regional Political Party Initiative
Whether in government or in opposition, political parties in the Balkans are responsible for leading their countries to Europe and responding to ever-growing social and economic demands from the electorate. They need to articulate political visions of where they want to lead their societies, and produce and advocate for policies in pursuit of these visions. To succeed, parties in the region need exposure to their counterparts elsewhere in Europe in order to better understand contemporary political environments and policy trends as they move closer to joining European institutions, particularly the European Union.
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