The sixth cycle of the Young Leaders Academy organized by the Serbian-American Friendship Congress (SAFC) was opened with a keynote address by Gabriel Escobar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia. He told the participants that the Balkans today is what it has always needed to be—one of the fastest-growing regions in Europe.
The opening of the academy was also attended by Serbian Assembly President Ivica Dačić and Member of Parliament and SAFC founder Vladimir Marinković.
Addressing the participants, Dačić highlighted that the United States has clearly communicated its understanding of Serbia’s positions regarding Russia and that the wheel of cooperation between the two countries continues to turn. He also noted that the most important state goals of Serbia and the United States intersect at many points, despite differing views and policies on some critical issues, such as the relationship with Kosovo and Metohija. He added that U.S. policy has always supported Serbia's integration into the European Union.
Young people from across Serbia will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in six areas of Serbian-American relations through three specially tailored modules. The program will run for three weeks (with lectures held two days each week) from March 2 to March 16, 2022.
Lecturers participating in this cycle include Luke Waggoner, Resident Program Director at the National Democratic Institute; Ivan Miletić, Director of External Affairs for Southeast Europe and Director of International Affairs for Eastern Europe at Philip Morris International, and Vice President of the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce; Vlajko Senić, Economist at the World Bank; Bojan Dimitrijević, Historian at the Institute for Modern History; Vladimir Marinković, Member of Parliament and one of the founders of the Serbian-American Friendship Congress; Zoran Jolevski, former Chief of Staff to North Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, Ambassador of North Macedonia to the U.S., Minister of Defense in the North Macedonian government, and guest lecturer at Harvard University; and Jovan Kovačić, President and Founder of EWB, member of the Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission, and President of the Serbian Group of the Trilateral Commission.
