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The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy is a non-profit association of citizens, founded in 1997, with an overall aim of carrying out research on the full relationship between military and society, from a standpoint of modern thinking. For that purpose, the Centre specifically deals with the problems of security sector reform and armed forces in transition and post-conflict countries, as well as the prospects for placing these actors under democratic civilian control and public oversight. The Centre presents its research findings regularly to the expert and broader public with the aim to contribute to the spreading and strengthening of public support for security sector reform in Serbia. For that reason, the Centre independently or in cooperation with other scientific and educational institutions systematically deals with education and publishing in the security sphere.
The Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies – CEAS is an independent, atheist, socially oriented left liberal think-tank organization, founded in 2007 in Belgrade. With its high quality research work CEAS generates precise analysis in the field of foreign, security and defense policy of the Republic of Serbia. Simultaneously, CEAS publicly promotes innovative, applicable recommendations and creates practical policy whose aims are:
- Strengthening of the socially oriented, left liberal democracy in Serbia*
- Adopting the principle of precedence of individual over collective rights, without disregard for the rights which individuals can only achieve through collective action
- Development of the of the concept of transitional justice and the establishment of mechanisms for its enforcement in the Western Balkans region, exchange of positive experiences, emphasizing the importance of mechanisms of transitional justice for a successful security sector reform in post-conflict societies in transition towards democracy;
- Acceleration of the processes of Serbian EU integration and strengthening of its capacities for confronting global challenges through collective international action.
- Strengthening cooperation with NATO and advocacy for Serbian Atlantic integration
- Strengthening a secular state principle and promoting an atheistic understanding of the world,
- Contributing to the erection and preservation of a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international order, founded on the principles of smart globalization and equitable sustainable development and the international norm of ‘Responsibility to Protect’
The Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies (CLDS) is an independent think tank which elaborates and publishes public policy proposals and organize seminars and lectures on topical policy issues, as part of its mission to influence the public policy in Serbia. The Center's main purposes are to:
a) Assemble the required sources of knowledge pertaining to economic, political, and social changes in Serbia, as well as to understand their causes and consequences;
b) Analyze the effects of government actions relating to public policy;
c) Create, publish, and disseminate ideas that encourage positive policy development using objective arguments and intellectual rigor, transforming conceiving insights into practical initiatives judged to be favorable to society;
d) Convey to the public, the media, lawmakers, and others an understanding of ignificant public policy issues and advance lively discussion;
e) Educate young people on the main ideas of the contemporary world. The CLDS bases all its policy proposals on a collection of core principles, including the concepts of individualism, liberty, the rule of law, the value of free markets, and the importance of individual choice and responsibility.
The Centre for Security Studies is an independent institute based in Belgrade, Serbia. They gather around 50 policy professionals and analysts, and are the leading NGO in the area of policy platform design for local governments, departments of foreign affairs, NGO development strategy, and economic consultancy. The Centre for Security Studies works on the development of a strong and independent NGO sector in Serbia through fostering expertise, self-sufficiency and strong partnerships with international organizations and NGOs.
They build alliances between professionals, bring the efforts of individuals together to bear upon both the government and non-governmental organizations to improve the standards of delivery and performance. They are a leading organisation in Serbia in anti-organised crime and anti-corruption policy design, training, education, publication, and policy platform design. They conduct a series of training courses at a postgraduate level, designed mainly for young policy makers and professionals active in the government, the influential NGOs, the media, the judiciary, and the academic sector.
The Economics Institute is an independent, non-government and non-partisan institution. The market driven and flexible structure of the Institute's activities covers and combines the following major segments:
a) research;
b) consulting;
c) training;
d) publishing.
Research activities are based on multi and inter-disciplinary approach which are consistent with the rapidly growing complexity of the economic and social environment in the contemporary world and its globalizing structure.
The basic mission is to influence the public in Serbia to commit itself to building a democratic pluralist society, to achieve equality among people and their communities and to promote the European heritage and values, with support for processes and events in Serbia which will lead to this. The EMinS, works from a starting point of complete respect for human values, freedom, the establishment of the rule of law and an appreciation of cultural differences, along with the values on which the Council of Europe is based. In co-operation with all who support these values, the European Movement works for the establishment of political and other conditions for the accession of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia to the European Union. This presumes the re-establishment and normalisation of the ruptured relations with European countries, especially the republics of the former Yugoslavia. The European Movement pays particular attention to working with young people, so that the concept of European integration and the civil society may be spread among those who will in future be responsible for the development of a democratic and prosperous Serbia.
Free Market Center(FMC) is a non-profit, tax exempt center (NGO) dedicated to researching and broadening ideas related to free market economy. Its program is consistent with classical principles of individual liberty, free market economy, limited government and peaceful cooperation. To that end, the FMC strives to achieve greater involvement not only of leading liberal authors but also of the intelligent, concerned lay public, entrepreneurs, policy makers and students in questions of market policy and the proper role of government.
G17 Institute was established in response to significant economic and political changes that took place in Serbia and Montenegro. Challenges of the transition have created necessity to establish scientific and research institute that would set the path for strengthening of civil society`s core values. The Institute grew out of the original Group 17 (G17), the organization that gathered economists and experts in other social sciences aiming to promote and practically implement the ideas of a modern economy, open and democratic society and the rule of law, through its programs, projects and the entire public activity. G17 Institute is devoted to studying economic processes and implementation of contemporary achievements in social sciences. Another important segment of G17 Institute`s work is education and information dissemination. The aims of the Institute are not only to increase academic understanding of the transition as a phenomenon, but also to provide valuable expertise and advice to policy makers and international organizations.
The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia was established in September 1994. Whilst the constitutional and legal human rights guarantees in Serbia are in accordance with the internationally accepted standards, the actual state of human rights has been more than disturbing. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia acts as a professional organisation working on the promotion of the idea of the rule of law and protection of human rights.
IIPE was founded in 1947 by the decision of the Government of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. From a small group of researchers who laid foundations of the Yugoslav science of international relations, the Institute has gradually turned into the largest scientific institution of this kind in the former Yugoslavia. The Institute has a rich research tradition and has always had a special place in Yugoslav academic and diplomatic life. IIPE's guests and lecturers included heads of states, heads of governments and foreign ministers of various countries. With a broad research and educational activity, the largest library in the country in the field of international relations, including the licensed depository library of European Union publications, depository library of United Nations publications, depository library of NATO publications and an own publishing house, IIPE is today the leading international relations institute in the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The legal status of the IIPE is regulated by the federal law that stipulates close working partnership of IIPE with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In December 2000 the FRY Federal Government appointed a new Board of Directors and Director. During 1991-2000 IIPE's activities were strongly overshadowed by the political needs of the former regime and its isolationist foreign policy.
In spite of such pressures and the programme imposed by the regime, the Institute tried to preserve as much as possible a critical stance in the research. In this difficult period for all scientific and cultural institutions in Yugoslavia, a number of Institute's fellows, working within NGO's and maintaining international ties, has given an important contribution to the discipline of international studies. After the prevalence of the democratic forces in Yugoslavia in October 2000, IIPE is trying to change its orientation and priorities. The IIPE's focus of research shifts to specific issues of integration of the country into the international community and a redefinition of the international strategy of Serbia and Montenegro. Its programme and visions of further activities are entirely dedicated to revive independent and critical research in the field of international relations. IIPE's programme is based on the presumption that a foreign policy grounded upon a genuine respect for democratic principles both in internal and external relations should lead Serbia and Montenegro into the European Union and other international and European structures.
The Jefferson Institute is an independent trans-Atlantic research and education institute and a non-partisan, not-for-profit research and education corporation. It is inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s challenge to pursue truth, wherever it may lead, and his vision of foreign policy at its best: to prevail through ideas and commerce. The Jefferson’s Institute’s mission is informing decision with alternative solutions. It produces and delivers focused original foreign policy analysis from field-based analytical teams. It builds capacity for policy research in the communities where it works and conducts work utilizing the best of local knowledge, international methodologies, and innovative application of information technology. Strengthening public policy research in emerging democracies is an essential element of pluralizing political discourse and breaking down information barriers to development. By supporting the growth of local research capacity, the Jefferson Institute contributes to democracy-building while strengthening our global field network of research partners.
The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) was launched in May 2002 in Belgrade. SEESAC is a component of the Regional Implementation Plan on Combating the Proliferations of Small Arms and Light Weapons formulated and adopted by the Stability Pact in November 2001 with the aims of stopping the flow and availability of small and light arms in the region, consolidating achievements to date and supporting the socio-economic conditions for peace and development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. SEESAC’s team is in constant communication with all the governments involved and with the relevant international organisations, non-governmental organisations and bi-lateral donors. SEESAC’s regional activities include sensitising governments and civil society on small arms issues, formulating national strategies for small and light arms control and incorporating such issues into UNDP development planning.
