From 6-7 March, Forum Skopje 2 ( www.forumskopje.org) took place at the Army Hall in Skopje, organized by NGO Public Room. For a second time, this event brought together representatives of civil society, culture, business and policy-making at the local, regional and European level, including members of the European Parliament and the European Commission. The Forum explored how to foster innovative forms of cross-border cooperation and sustainable structures between civil society and policy-makers.. The Forum Skopje participants will discuss the European responsibility and challenges of cities and regions, and the role of culture and civic initiatives in building democratic structures and fostering the economic and social upswing in Europe.

The manifestation Forum Skopje 2 – European Cultural Dialogue was designed to put culture in the centre of attention by enabling debates, discussions, dialogues and criticism in the society. Forum Skopje 2 is a continuation of the tradition of raising the awareness for culture and improvement of the cooperation between the political and the civil sector in the region. Through them, all mentioned parties can learn how culture can bring the region closer to other European countries, and most of all, how the Balkan countries can develop and promote themselves into Europe and the rest of the world.

Opening speeches by the Minister of Culture of R. Macedonia, Elizabeta Kanceska Milevksa; the Vice President of the Government of R. Macedonia and Head of the Secretariat for European Affairs; and Tanja Balac from the City of Skopje were held.

A debate on the topic “New Forms of Cooperation between Civil Society and The Political Sector” followed, moderated by Milena Dragicevic-Sesic – university professor at Belgrade Univeristy. Erik Meijer – member of the European Parliament was the keynote speaker, and subsequent addresses were given by H.E. Simone Filippini(Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Macedonia), Vesna Copic (Faculty for Social Sciences, Slovenia), Vasko Sutarov (member of the Parliament, R. Macedonia), Dejan Ubovic (Cultural Front Belgrade) and Iskra Geshoska (Kontrapunkt, Skopje).

Simone Filippini, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Macedonia, in her speech, explained the world famous Dutch “poldermodel” (pillar model), and through the pillars she explained the organization of the social life in the Netherlands. “Any Dutch government would be extremely cautious while taking important decisions without consulting at least certain NGO’s”, said the Ambassador emphasizing  the importance of the cooperation between the civil society and the political sector. “Because of this compromise seeking behaviour, this poldering with one another, this culture of constant dialogue, we – probably as the only country in the world – even consider dialogue and public debate to be one of our export products.”, said the Ambassador highlighting the importance of the dialogue and compromise for the prosper of the culture in the Balkan countries.