6 - 19 September 2015

Ulcinj/Montenegro

Final Report

Nina Radović,

Coordinator of the Straniak Academy

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Table of Content

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 3-4

2. Purpose and goals of the Straniak Academy………………………………………………………………….... p. 4

3. The Straniak Academy team…………………………………………………………………………………………… p. 5

4. Facilitators and donors of the Academy…………………………………………………………………………. p. 5-6

5. Application procedure, selection of participants and start of the Academy……………………. p. 6-11

6. Lecturers and tandem teaching………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 11-12

7. Programme, role-play and evening discussions………………………………………………………………. p. 12-16

8. About Ulcinj and excursion to Lovćen, Kotor and Budva……………………………………………...... p. 16-18

9. ECTS, final exam and examination results………………………………………………………………………. p. 19-20

10. Closing ceremony and diplomas…………………………………………………………………………………….. p. 21-24

11. General impressions and evaluation…………………………………………………………………………....... p. 25-26

12. Impact, overall achievements and results………………………………………………………………………. p. 26-28

13. Outlook to the future……………………………………………………………………………………………………... p. 28-29

14. Special thanks to our partners and donors…………………………………………………………………….. p. 30

Annex I Programme………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 31-39

Annex II Role Play: Resolution………………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 40-42

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1. Introduction

After two years of successful implementation, the third Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights

(hereinafter the Academy) was again held in Montenegro, this time from 6 to 19 September 2015 in Ulcinj. The

Academy took place in the hotel-complex Palata Venezia, where most of the students and lecturers were

accommodated, and in the hotel Dvori Balšića, where the lectures took place.

Due to its success, the Academy is already a well-known and recognised institution, which contributes to

academic discourses about the importance of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, thus spreading

European democratic values among new generations.

Hotel Dvori Balšića, the venue where lectures and evening discussions took place

©http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/com

mons/thumb/5/5f/Montenegro_location_map

.svg/800pxMontenegro_location_map.svg.png

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The intention of the following report is to give a detailed description of the Straniak Academy 2015, to share

impressions, achievements and results and provide an outlook to future developments. The report shall present

the Academy’s purpose and goals, the Academy’s team, supporters and donors, explain the application

procedure, and criteria for admission, present the lecturers of the Academy, give a summary of the lectures

and topics, and outline the highlights of this year. Furthermore, the report shall reflect the Academy’s overall

achievements, results and impact on the Western Balkan region and beyond.

2. Purpose and goals of the Straniak Academy

The Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights was established in 2013. The idea to offer an academic

program on democracy, human rights and the rule of law for students and young graduates focusing on the

Western Balkan region came up during the visits of Prof. Tretter to Montenegro in the framework of a EU

“Twinning project” and guest lectures at the University of Montenegro. The guest lectures at the Faculty of Law

in Podgorica led to a cooperation with Prof. Ivana Jelić, professor at the Faculties of Law and Political Science

in Podgorica. The cooperation brought along fruitful discussions and exchange of ideas considering the

establishment of an academic program for students. Finally, the ideas were realized and resulted in signing of

memoranda of understandings between the respective faculties and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human

Rights - Research Association (BIM-FV) in Vienna.

The Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights is implemented under the lead of the BIM-FV in Vienna

in cooperation with the Faculties of Law and Social Sciences of the University in Vienna on one side, and the

Faculties of Law and Political Science of the University of Montenegro on the other side.

The main goals of the Academy are to

promote academic knowledge on democracy, human rights and the rule of law focusing on the

Western Balkan region;

raise awareness about the importance of human rights, democracy and the rule of law among the

younger generations;

create a bridge between academia and practice through an interdisciplinary and interactive format

bringing together scientists, researchers and practitioners.

The target group of the Straniak Academy are advanced students as well as new graduates who have a solid

academic background and some practical experience. However, due to excellent applications received also

from younger candidates (first or second year students), some of them, who proved a strong interest and

competences by presenting an excellent motivation letter, have been accepted to take part in the program.

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3. The Straniak Academy team

The Academy is organised and led by the Straniak Academy team: Prof. Hannes Tretter, Director of the

Academy, Prof. Ivana Jelić, Deputy-Director of the Academy, and Ms. Nina Radović, Coordinator of the

Academy.

Prof. Hannes Tretter, Director

Associate Professor for Fundamental and Human Rights Law at the University of Vienna and Co-

Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM), Vienna

Prof. Ivana Jelić, Deputy Director

Associate Professor for Public International Law, Human Rights Law and Diplomatic and Consular

Law at the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Political Science of the University of Montenegro,

Podgorica

MMag.a Nina Radović, Coordinator

Assistant to Prof. Hannes Tretter, currently enrolled at the Law Faculty in Vienna, previously studied International Development and Romance Philology (French language and literature) at the University of Vienna and the University Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle.

4. Facilitators and donors of the Academy

As the name of the Academy indicates, the main facilitator of the Straniak Academy is the Hermann and

Marianne Straniak Foundation, chaired by the lawyer Mr. Christoph Liebscher. The foundation was established

in 1974 in Sarnen (Switzerland) and supports inter alia the synthesis of philosophies and ideas of eastern and

western cultures and the promotion of the goals, ideas and values laid down in the European Convention on

Human Rights, in particular the freedom of thought.

Another main facilitator of the Straniak Academy is the Central European Initiative (CEI), a regional

intergovernmental forum committed to supporting European integration through cooperation among its

Member States.

Further supporters and donors of the Straniak Academy 2015 were the Austrian agricultural company Agrana,

the insurance group UNIQA, the law firm Grilc, Vouk & Škof, the law firm Richard Soyer, the law firm Haslinger

Nagele and the entrepreneur Mr. Salih Alijagić, KONAVLE-METAL d.o.o., Croatia.

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In addition, the law firm Lansky, Ganzger + partners and the lawyer Ms. Claudia Annacker enabled the

participation of two students by their valuable contributions.

5. Application procedure, selection of participants, and start of the Academy

The application procedure started during the summer semester 2015 and lasted until end of June 2015. In order

to apply, the students were asked to fill out the application form and to send it together with their CV and a

motivation letter including optional recommendation letters to the Straniak Academy team.

As during the previous two years, the call for application including all relevant documents was disseminated via

internet and published on the websites of the BIM and the respective Faculties in Vienna and Podgorica. The

call for application was also announced on the webpages of several other faculties in the Western Balkan region

i.e. Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tirana, Skopje, Ljubljana, and via different internet platforms and

social media, thus reaching a broad public. Due to the big success in 2013 and 2014, the last year’s generations

also spread the information about the Straniak Academy to their colleagues.

As a result, the Straniak Academy team received applications not only from Austria and the Western Balkan

region, but also from other EU Member States and other countries. Overall, we received 120 applications out

of which the majority was excellent. The selection committee was supported by Ms. Dajana Bjelovuk, student

at the Faculty of Political Science in Vienna and intern at the BIM by that time. Dajana provided valuable support

to the Selection Committee and contributed to select the best applicants.

The Straniak Academy team had the difficult task to select the best students according to the following selection

criteria to

keep the regional focus on Southeast European states and particularly the Western Balkan region;

select students approaching the finalisation of their studies and/or young graduates with

respective practical experience considering democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

bring together students from different academic backgrounds and disciplines thus encouraging

different perspectives and experiences;

respect an equal gender proportion;

pay special attention to the motivation of the candidates, including their academic achievements,

personal engagement and practical experiences in the respective fields.

In order to encourage students from the focus region to apply, the registration fee for participants from the

Western Balkan region i.e. non-EU Member States, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,

Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia was 150 EUR. The registration fee for participants from EU Member States

and other countries was 250 EUR.

The Selection Committee chose 35 participants according to the selection criteria. Due to the experience of the

last year when nine of the accepted participants cancelled in the last moment or did not come without giving

any explanations or reasons, thus preventing other participants from the waiting list to take part, the

application procedures and conditions for participation were stricter in 2015. Selected candidates were asked

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to confirm their participation by transmitting the registration fee of 150 EUR or 250 EUR in due time. The

applicants respected the defined registration deadlines, and in case of cancellation informed the Straniak

Academy team on time, so that waiting list candidates could be informed. At the end of the selection period,

all of the 35 available places were taken.

The participants of the Straniak Academy 2015 were (by country):

SURNAME NAME SEX COUNTRY ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

1. Bala Joana f Albania Shanghai International Studies University, China: MA in Diplomacy expected; Sapienza University of Rome: BA in Oriental Studies obtained

2. Vogli Klodiana f Albania University of Tirana: Faculty of Law (BA obtained)

3. Bjelovuk Dajana f Austria University of Vienna: English and American Studies (Ba obtained); Political Science (BA expected)

4. Gschweitl Verena f Austria University of Graz: Faculty of Law (MA expected)

5. Lengauer Esther f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag.iur. expected); African Studies (BA obtained)

6. Neumann Lina Malin f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag.iur. expected)

7. Nuspl Stefan m Austria Johannes Kepler University Linz: Faculty of Law (MA expected)

8. Stanzel Eva Sophie f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag.iur. expected)

9. Trikha Lara f Austria University of Vienna: Department for International Development; Saint Mary's College of California: Political Science

10. Weingartner Olivia f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag. obtained, started with PhD); Economic University of Vienna (WU): LLM in business and law (expected in 2015)

11. Wessely Elsa f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag.iur. expected)

12. Wittmann Andrea f Austria University of Vienna: Faculty of Law (Mag.iur. expected)

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13. Stanišljević Dunja f Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Banja Luka: Communication and Media (BA expected)

14. Bulić Ljuban m Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Banja Luka: Faculty of Law (BA expected)

15. Jokanović Petar m Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Banja Luka: Faculty of Law

16. Numanović Lejla f Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Zenica: Postgraduate studies in Civil Law University of Tuzla, Faculty of Law (MA obtained); Bar exam (Ministry of Justice in BiH in 2014)

17. Pehar Paško m Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Mostar: MA expected University of Graz (exchange student for one semester) University of Ljubljana (exchange student for one semester)

18. Pejić Jelena f Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Belgrade: BA in International Politics obtained, MA in Humanitarian and HR law expected;

19. Prole Aleksa m Bosnia and Herzegovina

University of Banja Luka: Faculty of Law

20. Bräutigam Cyriakus m Germany University of Vienna: Political Science, International Development

21. Garzuly Bernadett f Italy University in Vienna: Political Science Slavic studies

22. Kochovska Nada f Macedonia FON University Skopje: Law (MA obtained)

23. Trpcheska Sofija f Macedonia University St. Kiril and Metodij, Skopje: Faculty of Law (BA obtained, MA expected)

24. Zenović Predrag m Montenegro Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali "Guido Carli" Rome: PhD in Political Science expected; Riga Graduate School: LL.M in Public International Law obtained; University of Belgrade: BA in Political Science obtained;

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25. Ćatić Olivera f Serbia Aarhus University in Copenhagen: MA in Lifelong Learning: Policy and Management (expected); University of Belgrade: BA in English Language and Literature;

26. Davidović Adriana f Serbia/Germany University of Vienna: Department of International Development (BA)

27. Mijović Svetlana f Serbia University of Belgrade: Faculty of Law (BA and LL.M. obtained, PhD in Criminal Law expected)

28. Vlajnić Jelena f Serbia University of Belgrade: Faculty of Law (LL.M. obtained, PhD in International Law expected)

29. Kompan Barbara f Slovenia University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Law (BA expected)

30. Kordiš Tina f Slovenia University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Law (MA expected)

31. Oštir Martin m Slovenia University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Social Sciences: Human Resource Management (BA expected)

32. Pejić Nina f Slovenia University of Ljubljana: International Relations: BA expected

33. Žužek Anja f Slovenia University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Law

34. Hekimoglu Nisanur f Turkey Istanbul Sehir University: Law & International Relations and Political Science (BA expected)

35. Piletska Tetiana f Ukraine European University Viadrina/ Frankfurt (Oder): LL.M expected; Lviv University in Ukraine: International Relations and International Law

Before the beginning of the Academy, the participants got in touch with each other via social media in order to

discuss useful organisational matters and travel arrangements. A “Straniak Academy 2015” group was created

on Facebook, which is actively used also after the Academy. Like during the previous years, the participants use

the Facebook group to stay in touch with each other, to upload photos taken during the two weeks and

exchange interesting information and news, thus creating networks, which is one of the main goals and great

achievements of the Academy.

Opening of the Academy

The opening of the Academy took place on 6 September 2015 in the evening. During the first part of the opening

ceremony, the Straniak Academy team welcomed the students and gave an introductory speech and important

information about the programme, the lectures and organisational matters. After the introduction round,

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where everyone introduced and presented him/herself, the group proceeded to the terrace of the Hotel Palata

Venezia where the official part of the opening ceremony took place.

Once again, the Straniak Academy team welcomed the participants and guests, followed by opening speeches

by Mr. Rainer Sulzberger, Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy in Montenegro, and Mr. Gani Resulbegović, the

owner of the Hotel, who welcomed the students and lecturers.

Photos p.10: Opening ceremony and speeches

One of the brand marks of the Academy is its openness and positive atmosphere. During the intense two-week

programme, students and lecturers had the unique possibility to get to know each other and to have face-to-

face discussions not only during the lectures and workshops, but also during the breaks and free time. The

participants used these opportunities to get more information on topics of their particular interest, but also to

get advice from experts and academics considering their plans for the future and professional careers. The time

spent closely together in the special setting and the intense programme created a world on its own with a very

pleasant atmosphere for working and socialising, which once again proves the unique character of the Straniak

Academy.

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Photo p.11: Students of the Straniak Academy 2015 with the Straniak Academy team

6. Lecturers and tandem teaching

The didactic concept of the Academy is “tandem teaching”, which proved to be very successful and which will

be continued in the future. Tandem teaching means that two lecturers ̶ one from Austria or another EU

Member State and one from the Western Balkan region ̶ prepare and hold their lectures together. This means

that the lecturers have to get in touch with each other several weeks before the start of the Academy and to

prepare their lectures jointly. Such a way of teaching enables the possibility to bring together lecturers from

different countries and academic backgrounds and to exchange different teaching approaches on a certain

topic, and therefore offer a different view and perspective than usual.

The lecturers of the Straniak Academy are highly competent and experienced professors and practitioners in

their respective fields. In 2015, twenty-two lecturers were part of the Straniak Academy, coming from Austria,

Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, among them for the first time Mr. Wolfgang Petritsch and Mr. Gabriel

Toggenburg (FRA). Prof. Vasilka Sancin from the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana, who is an important partner of the

Academy, was present during the two weeks and provided valuable support and lectures.

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All the lecturers hold their lessons with great enthusiasm, sharing their knowledge, expertise and experience

with the students, thus motivating them to deepen their interest and passion for their respective subjects. The

list of lecturers including short biographies is included in Annex I attached to this Report.

7. Programme, role-play and evening discussions

The Straniak Academy 2015 offered a broad spectrum of topics on human rights, democracy and the rule of

law, with a special focus on the Western Balkan region. The programme of the Straniak Academy distinguishes

itself from other summer academies and schools especially by its commitment to offer an intense and serious

academic approach, thus ensuring high-level academic education in democracy, human rights and the rule of

law.

This year, the topics were put together into thematic fields, in order to better systematise and create a better

overview and interrelation between the lectures. The topics were developed and elaborated as follows:

Part 1: Introduction about the meaning of democracy, the rule of law and human rights

Concepts and standards, strengths and weaknesses of modern democracies

Reality of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Southeast European states and in

especially the Western Balkan region

Part 2: United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Overview of the structure, mandate, and actual challenges of the UN human rights protection

system

Transitional justice individual criminal responsibility and special International Criminal tribunals and

the International Criminal Tribunal

Responsibility to Protect – R2P

The Dayton Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina today

Rights of ethnic and national minorities

Part 3: Council of Europe

Introduction to the human rights regime of the CoE

European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights

Part 4: European Union

The fundamental rights framework of the EU

Part 5: Selected human rights issues

Independence and impartiality of the judiciary and procedural rights with a focus on the right to

personal liberty and security

Freedom of expression and the media

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Political participation and the right to vote

Economy and human rights

Concept of good governance and combatting corruption

Data protection and access to information

Women’s and children’s rights

Combating trafficking in human beings

The principles of equality and non-discrimination

Social rights and poverty reduction, right to property

Human rights and corporate social responsibility

Prohibition of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment including CPT, OPCAT and the rights

of prisoners

Asylum, refugees, internationally displaced persons and immigrant societies

Role play

Additionally to the lectures, a role-play took place during one afternoon on the topic “Negotiations about

possible solutions how the international community could/should react and what could be done to stop the

terror and the crimes against humanity of ISIS”. The students were divided into six groups and represented

different sides and interest, trying to be as realistic as possible: UNO, OSCE, EU, USA, Russia and the League of

Arab States. They represented the positions of their groups in the best possible way and acted as real life

politicians and diplomats while negotiating a solution in order to find a common understanding and agreement

on a joint resolution as could have been adopted by the UN General Assembly. The result of the role-play was

a UN Security Council Resolution, which is attached in Annex II to this Report.

Furthermore, evening discussions took place, allowing an exchange on special topics with practitioners and

experts from the field:

Evening discussion on guilty pleas in the practice of the International Criminal Court for the Former

Yugoslavia (ICTY) with Mr. Almir Alić, expert from the ICTY Outreach Programme

Evening discussion on possible political impacts of civil society and necessary legal reforms with Mr.

Christoph Liebscher, President of the Straniak Foundation, Mr. Vedran Džihić, Senior researcher at

the Austrian Institute for International Politics (OIIP), Ms. Lana Vukmirović-Mišić, lawyer at Harrison

Solicitors and Mr. Boris Raonić, Civic Alliance Montenegro.

The detailed programme of the Straniak Academy 2015 is included in Annex I to this Report.

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Photos (p.14-16) from left to right: p.14: Photo nr.1 and 2: lectures in the seminar room

of the Hotel Dvori Balšića; photo nr.3: lecture of Prof. Hannes Tretter and Mr. Christoph

Liebscher, president of the Straniak Foundation; photo nr.4: evening discussion; photo

nr.5: lecture of Prof. Vesna Knežević Predić and Mr. Gabriel Toggenburg; p.15: photo nr.7:

lecture of Mr. Wolfgang Petritsch and Ms. Nina Radović; photo nr.8: Introduction to the

role-play by Prof. Hannes Tretter and Prof. Vasilka Sancin; photo nr.11: discussion with

Prof. Ivana Jelić during a coffee break

8. About Ulcinj and excursion to Lovćen, Kotor and Budva

Organising the Straniak Academy in Montenegro is not only a great opportunity to gather students and lecturers

from different countries of the Western Balkan region, Austria and other countries to come together, but also

an opportunity to explore the Montenegrin coast, the wonderful mountains and Mediterranean towns

alongside the coast, and broaden the cultural horizon.

In the previous two years, the Academy took place first in Budva in 2013, then in Igalo in 2014. This year the

Academy moved to the very south of Montenegro, to Ulcinj on the Adriatic Sea, close to the Albanian border,

and was hosted in the hotel complex “Palata Venezia” and “Dvori Balšića”.

Ulcinj reflects in a very specific way the history of the Mediterranean region – as part of a common European

history. Contemporary, it is very often overlooked that Europe’s heritage and culture, its social, political and

economic development was and is still influenced by this region as well as the Near East – as seen in the current

dramatic flight of asylum seekers and migrants from Syria, Iraq, Libya, and other states, as well in the threats

constituted by the terror and crimes against humanity committed by the so called “Islamic State”. All along, the

Sea was and still is not only a medium of transportation but also an area connecting and bringing people

together, not always in a friendly but also hostile manner. However, always trade was carried on, people

learned from each other, adopted culture, knowledge and science, cultivated and developed them further.

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Ulcinj, mentioned for the first time by the Roman scholar Plinius the older in the year 144, was over centuries

and still is a place where people of different origin, language, culture and religion lived and are living together,

like Illyrians, Romans, Slavs, Albanians, Macedonians, Greeks, Mongols, Turks, Venetians and Serbs who –

together with Montenegrins recaptured Ulcinj from the Turks between 1876-78, which was handed over to

Montenegro in 1880 in the course of the Berlin congress. Insofar, Ulcinj is a mirror of the history of several

peoples and nations.

The Straniak Academy is reflected in this mirror, bringing together young and not so young people, students

and teachers from Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia,

Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine, who want to listen to and learn from each other, bridging gaps in order to

contribute to a fruitful and peaceful European future, which is based on democracy, the rule of law and human

rights.

Excursion

During the Academy, an excursion was organised for the students to explore the landscape and the historic and

cultural heritage of Montenegro, namely to the Mountain of Lovćen, the Bay of Kotor, including the visit of the

Venetian towns Kotor and finally, Budva, the most popular touristic destination in Montenegro.

After a bus ride to the mountain of Lovćen through the Lovćen national park, the students found themselves

just in front of the ca. 420 stairs which lead to the very top of the mountain, where the mausoleum of the very

famous poet and Prince-Bishop of Montenegro, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, is situated offering an unforgettable

panorama over the landscape.

After the visit to Lovćen, the trip took us to the picturesque Venetian town of Kotor, driving all way down the

adventurous, very narrow road with twenty five serpentines ̶ built during the rule of the Habsburgs. Despite

the adventurous ride, the students had an unforgettable experience and enjoyed the amazing view over the

Bay of Kotor, which is surrounded by mountains on one side and the Adriatic See on the other, thus making the

Bay of Kotor a special part of this region and its natural and historic importance protected by UNESCO.

Having arrived in Kotor, there was enough time for a rest and of course for walking around. Kotor is one of the

most beautiful towns in Montenegro, surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. The centre

of Kotor is known for its narrow streets which lead to wonderful squares and precious palaces, which were

once inhabited by noble families. In its rich past the city experienced numerous occupations and cultural

influences from different conquerors ̶ the Bulgarian Empire, the Serbian Empire, the Ottomans, the Venetians,

the Habsburgs etc. The rich historic and cultural influences are visible at every corner.

The adventure finally led us to Budva, where we had the possibility to explore the old Venetian town, or simply

to enjoy the sunset while having a drink in one of the numerous little bars and cafes.

Like during the previous years, the excursion has become a must and an integral part of the academy. It takes

place after the first week of the programme and offers the possibility to get to know each other better.

Photos on the following page, p.18: Way to the top of the mountain Lovćen; panorama from the platform on the top of the mountain; view over the bay

of Kotor “Boka Kotorska”; walking through Kotor.

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9. ECTS, final exam and examination results

The Straniak Academy is an academic programme that allows for recognition of the lectures and approval of

ECTS according to the rules and procedures of the respective home faculties and universities. The Faculty of

Social Sciences in Vienna and the Law Faculty in Linz allocated eleven (11) ECTS for the Straniak Academy, while

the Law Faculty in Vienna approved seven (7) ECTS. Even though the rules and procedures of the respective

faculties and universities might differ regarding the number of ECTS, the Straniak Academy should be

recognised by all faculties und universities given its academic character.

On the last day of the Academy, the final exam took place. This year, the Straniak Academy team decided that

the exam was not obligatory, leaving the choice to the students whether they want to take it. The majority of

the participants (twenty-two) decided to take the exam not only for the ECTS, but also to prove what they have

learned during the two weeks.

The exam was a combination of multiple-choice and open questions about the subjects discussed in the course

of the Academy. The students had to answer questions out of three thematic parts (described in chapter 7),

whereby the first part containing “general topics & overview on international and regional human rights

regimes” was obligatory for all. Prior to the exam, the students had to choose in advance two thematic parts

out of the catalogue of five specific topics. This kind of approach allowed them to prepare for the selected

topics in a profound way. This procedure differed from the lasts year’s practice, when the exam was obligatory

for all and all of the topics were included. The new approach allowed a more intense preparation and offered

the possibility to focus on specific topics of interest, also in respect of the very short time available for studying.

This, however, did not affect the quality or the severity of the exam, as it went more into detail compared to

last year’s questions. The results were very satisfactory: Seven out of twenty-two got an “excellent” (A), seven

got a “very good” (B), five got a “good” (C) and only three did not pass the exam and got a “not sufficient” (F).

Participants who did not take the exam got a certificate proving that they attended the Academy. The three

best students of the Straniak Academy in 2015 were Ms. Jelena Pejić, student form Bosnia and Herzegovina

studying at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade, Ms. Verena Gschweitl, student at the Faculty of Law in

Graz, and Ms. Tina Kordiš, student at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana. Congratulations!

The mature answers given by the students not only proved the ambition and excellent qualifications of the

participants, but also the high quality of the lectures and the expertise of the lecturers.

The questions of the final exam in 2015 can be seen on the webpage of the BIM in the section “Teaching and

training/ Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights”.

Photos on the following page, p. 20: Studying hard for the exam; writing the exam on the terrace of the seminar room.

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10. Closing ceremony and diplomas

After the exam, the closing ceremony took place. First, the students were invited to a goodbye drink on the

terrace of the hotel Palata Venezia. The Straniak Academy team, prof. Hannes Tretter, director of the Academy,

prof. Ivana Jelić, deputy-director of the Academy and Ms. Nina Radović, coordinator of the Academy, hold

speeches, thanking everyone for the great work and amazing experience. The hotel owner, Mr. Gani

Resulbegović, also addressed the students and the Straniak Academy team and mentioned what a nice

experience the Academy was also for the hotel. After the speeches, drinks were served and photos taken. The

expressions on the faces revealed the mixed emotions on the last day: joyfulness of new friendships, happiness

of being part of this unique experience, pride and satisfaction of having participated in an academic programme

which broadened the horizons and maybe crystallised the further academic aspirations for some, but also

sadness of having to leave this magic place.

After the official part of the closing ceremony, the Straniak Academy invited the students for dinner at the

restaurant “Teuta” which is located just next to the Hotel and which became the favourite restaurant of the

Straniak Academy team and lecturers during the two weeks. The owner of the restaurant always prepared

excellent dishes, fresh seafood and specialties. For the goodbye-dinner he prepared a special offer for the

students and lecturers with fresh fish and wine at the terrace of the restaurant, where students and lecturers

dined, danced and enjoyed the evening very much.

The day after, Saturday, 19. September 2015, the Straniak Academy team handed over the diplomas and

certificates to the participants at the terrace of the hotel Palata Venezia. The ceremony took place in a very

pleasant atmosphere and the Straniak Academy team, together with Prof. Vasilka Sancin from the Faculty of

Law in Ljubljana congratulated everyone and celebrated the special moment with the students. Finally, it was

time came to say goodbye to each other, which however did not mean to stay out of sight of each other. We

are sure that the two weeks are just the beginning of new friendships and many joint activities and visits in the

future!

22

23

24

Photos p. 21-24: Handing over the diplomas and closing ceremony at the terrace of Hotel Palata Venezia.

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11. General impressions and evaluation

The third Straniak Academy was a big success. This year, the Academy was held at a special place, the Venetian

fortress of the old town of Ulcinj. The students and lecturers spent also their free time (if not at one of the

beaches nearby) within the fortress, at the pool of the hotel or at the little open-air bar. This ambience created

a unique atmosphere and enabled lecturers and participants to get to know each other better, because

everything was located within the stonewalls in a very small space, contributing to the special working

atmosphere.

As usual, the Straniak Academy team was very committed to make the Academy a pleasant experience for all,

students as well as lecturers. The regular exchange and feedback is of utmost importance for us in order to be

able to respond to the different needs, suggestions, critique and individual requests, thus constantly continuing

to improve.

A feedback round after the first week is already a tradition allowing students to share their impressions with

the Straniak Academy team and to express their wishes and suggestions for the second week. The Straniak

Academy team listened very carefully to the feedback:

Given the fact that the firs week was very intense, some students expressed their wish for more free time and

longer breaks. Some pointed out the difficulties to follow the lectures for students without an academic

background in law or political science. Some of the participants asked for more cases and role-plays and less

topics, so that more time would remain for discussions. The question of better balancing the input and time for

discussions was mentioned several times and the tight timetable was criticised, not leaving enough time to

process the new knowledge and information acquired.

Nonetheless, most of the students were very satisfied with the programme and didactic methods. The holistic

approach was very well received, as well the tandem teaching allowing to discuss a topic from different

perspectives (different academic backgrounds and regions). Most of the students underlined that the Academy

was a great opportunity to acquire new academic knowledge and appreciated the opportunity to take part.

After the feedback round, the Straniak Academy team adapted the programme for the second week according

to suggestions and critique of the students. As a result, more free time and time for studying was foreseen for

the second week, as some of the afternoon lectures were rescheduled and some of the evening discussions

cancelled. By reorganising the programme, the second week was more relaxed.

Not only the students, but also the lecturers shared their impressions about the Academy. The lecturers were

very satisfied and impressed by the level and quality of knowledge of the students and their willingness to take

part actively, ask questions and express their opinion. The ambition, motivation and competences of the

students were the preconditions for taking part in the Academy. The application procedure (as described in

Chapter 5) allowed selecting the best candidates, ensuring the high quality of interaction and participation

during the lectures.

At the end of the Academy, the participants filled out an anonymous evaluation form, covering both weeks, by

indicating their assessments from 1 (very bad) to 5 (excellent). The questionnaire included general questions

about the organisation, structure of the programme, but also detailed questions about every single lecture

26

concerning the expertise and competence of the lecturers, the methodology, the working atmosphere and the

new knowledge acquired.

In addition, the students had the possibility to provide further suggestions for the future. Many of them wrote

that the Academy is an excellent opportunity to meet new, inspiring people who share the same interests and

who might be future colleagues. A lot of them wrote that they are grateful for the professionalism and inputs

of the lecturers who combined theory with practice in a very interesting way. The new knowledge and “tools”

provided during the lectures inspired the students to further research some of the topics and continue to deal

with certain issues in a more profound way. Some of the participants also wrote that the experiences they

made during the two weeks inspired them to pursue a career in the field of human rights. In addition, one

student stated that the Academy is not only a good project, but it might also bring substantial progress

considering the cohabitation and mutual understanding in the Western Balkan region.

In the following, the most frequent suggestions mentioned in the questionnaire are summarised:

less topics and more time for in depth discussions, or prolong the Academy to three weeks instead

of two;

more free time in order to allow the new knowledge to “sink in”, also considering the fact that after

a certain time the level of concentration is decreasing;

prepare a syllabus and reading material in advance of the Academy and send the power point

presentations in advance;

select students coming from more diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds;

evaluation form to be distributed already at the beginning of the Academy, so that each of the

lectures can be evaluated right after it finishes, when the impressions are fresh;

organise a movie night or “show you talent” during one evening, more joint events during the free

time;

offer the possibility to students and new graduates during one evening to present their research

and/or bachelor/master thesis or practical work if corresponding to the programme of the

Academy.

12. Impact, overall achievement and results

One of the main goals of the Academy is to encourage young people and future experts to promote democracy,

human rights and the rule of law in their countries. Especially in the Western Balkan region, which experienced

a transformation of the former political, economic and ideological regimes, the task to promote democracy by

educating and encouraging young people seems more important than ever.

The experience of the last twenty years proves that most of the states in the Western Balkan region, in

especially Bosnia and Herzegovina but also the current EU accession candidates (Albania, Macedonia,

Montenegro and Serbia), and even new EU member states such as Croatia, Bulgaria and Rumania, are still facing

numerous problems: high levels of corruption, bad functioning administration and judiciary systems in terms

27

of not having access to justice, but also in terms of long lasting procedures; different forms of discrimination;

high unemployment rates; weak civil societies and thus low political participation etc.

These circumstances also affect the everyday lives of the citizens, and especially the younger generations and

highly skilled young people, who instead of being given the possibility to use their potentials in their own

countries, seek solutions elsewhere, leading to brain drain and a huge loss of potentials.

The transformation procedure is always connected to the need of dismantling the past and prejudices on one

side and overcoming the deadlocked structures on the other. Analysing and understanding the current

problems goes hand in hand with deconstructing the past from different perspectives: political, economic, legal,

social aspects need to be analysed through internationally accepted mechanisms and tools, such as the human

rights based approach, allowing not only to explain the past from an objective point of view, but also to work

out sustainable solutions and perspectives for the countries and their citizens.

As already mentioned in the previous reports, the younger generations play an important role in these

processes. They are the future leaders and experts who will determine the way and orientation of their

countries. Education plays an important part in these transformation processes and can be understood as a

precondition for overcoming prejudices and being able to deal with the past from an objective distance. Only

then, the younger generations will be able to put an end to the reproduction of negative discourses and to work

out sustainable solutions leading their countries into functioning democracies in which each individual will have

his or her freedom to live a life in dignity. This is why providing a high quality education on democracy, the rule

of law and human rights is of fundamental value.

The Straniak Academy will continue to provide support in that regard. In 2015, the overall objectives of the

Straniak Academy, namely to promote academic education on democracy, human rights and the rule of law

and to raise awareness about the importance of these topics among the younger generations was fully met.

The special format of the Academy contributed to achieve this goal by its unique structure and methodology,

namely the combination of academia and practice, the interdisciplinary and interactive teaching method and

the principle of “tandem teaching” providing insights and dealing with sensitive issues and topics from different

perspectives.

Not only had the programme itself contributed to achieve the above-mentioned goals. The fact that so many

students from different countries of the Western Balkans, EU Member States and other countries meet, get to

know each other and work intensively during two weeks, also discussing difficult and sensitive issues and so

called taboos, contributes to overcome deeply rooted prejudices and stereotypes. Listening to different

perspectives helps to better understand the “others”. The fact that young people participate in a joint

programme for several days encourages them to get closer and enables mutual understanding, which is a

precondition for a brighter future of the Western Balkan region.

Finally, it is also worth mentioning that the Straniak Academy strengthens the existing cooperation between

the Faculties of Law and Social Sciences of the University of Vienna and the Faculties of Law and Political

Sciences of the University in Montenegro, but also between other universities and faculties, such as the Law

Faculty in Ljubljana, or the Faculties of Law and Political Science in Belgrade. Coming together and working

together will be beneficial also concerning future cooperation activities such as guest lectures, but also

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considering the promotion and interexchange of students and young graduates from the region, Austria and

other countries.

13. Outlook to the future

To our great pleasure, we are in a position to announce that the Straniak Academy will take place also in the

upcoming years. Due to its great success and achievements, the main partner of the Academy, the Hermann

and Marianne Straniak Foundation, assured to provide a considerable proportion of the necessary funds for

the period of three additional years. We hope to receive additional support from the Central European Initiate

(CEI) as well, like in 2014 and 2015, and are very positive to ensure the rest of the needed funds for the

implementation of the Academy in the foreseen period.

The Straniak Academy team will discuss the option of changing the structure of the Academy in the future and

inserting more modules. This way, the students will have the possibility to choose the modules according to

their interests. While the first week will be devoted to provide the necessary academic foundations, the second

week would offer different thematic modules, whereby allowing enough time for detailed elaboration and

discussion.

As described in the Report in 2014, there might be a possibility to let the Academy go “on tour” and to create

a similar cooperation programme in other regions – in especially the OSCE region within the framework of the

upcoming OSCE Austrian presidency in 2017. This idea has been already welcomed by the Austrian Federal

Ministry for Integration, Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Finally, at the end of this report, we would like to express our thanks to all who contributed to make the Straniak

Academy 2015 a very special experience:

our donors and supporters, in especially Mr. Christoph Liebscher, president of the Straniak Foundation,

and of course the Foundation itself;

the Central European Initiative (CEI) covering a big proportion of the accommodation costs for the

students;

the Faculties of Law and Social Sciences of the University of Vienna and the Faculties of Law and Political

Science of the University in Montenegro;

our lecturers who shared their expertise and experience with great passion and enthusiasm;

our students who showed great interest and desire to deepen their knowledge and promote

democracy, human rights and the rule of law, who actively participated and asked important questions

during the Academy;

Mr. Gani Resulbegović, his son Ćazim Resulbegović, and the whole staff of his hotel Palata Venezia and

hotel Dvori Balšića, in particular Ms. Dženita Odobašić, who accommodated us with great hospitality

and did everything to make out stay in Ulcinj a very special experience;

last but not least, we would like to thank Mr. Milan Mrvaljević, the Austrian Honorary Consul in

Montenegro, and his close colleague Mr. Stevan Ćenić, for his support since the beginning of this

project.

29

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU!

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO STRANIAK ACADEMY 2016!

Photos: impressions from Ulcinj and group photo in front of the seminar room of the Hotel Dvori Balšića

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14. Special thanks to our partners and donors

Rechtsanwälte / attorneys-at-law / Vienna – Linz, Austria

Mr. Salih Alijagić, KONAVLE-METAL d.o.o., Croatia

Univ.-Doz. Dr. Claudia Annacker, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP

Special thanks to the publisher Böhlau Verlag

for supporting the Academy by printing the Final Report since 2013.

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Annex I

Programme

6 to 19 September 2015

Ulcinj/Montenegro

Sunday, 6th September

18:00-19:30 Welcome drink

Welcome by the leading team of the Straniak Academy

Hannes Tretter

Ivana Jelić

Nina Radović

Introduction of students and organisational questions

19:30 Welcome addresses by

Rainer Sulzberger, Counsellor of Embassy

Gani Resulbegović, Director of the Hotel Palata Venezia, Ulcinj

20:00 Reception

Part 1: Introduction

Monday, 7th September

09:30-11:00 Initial lessons & discussions: What does democracy, rule of law and human rights mean? Is

there a coherence of them? What are the powers in a modern democracy, how does the system

of ‘checks & balances’ work? (Hannes Tretter and Ivana Jelić)

11:00-11:30 Break

11:30-13:00 Concepts & standards, strengths & weaknesses of modern democracies (Ivana Jelić and

Marijana Grandits)

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13:00-15:30 Lunch & Beach

15:30-17:30 Reality of democracy in Southeast European States (Ivana Jelić and Marijana Grandits)

17:30-18:00 Break

18:00-19:30 Reality of the rule of law and human rights in western Balkan states (Milan Popović and

Marijana Grandits)

Part 2: United Nations and OSCE

Tuesday, 8th September

09:30-11:00 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the development of the UN Human rights

framework (Christina Binder and Ivana Jelić)

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-13:00 Actual status and challenges of the UN human rights protection system (Hannes Tretter and

Ivana Jelić)

13:00-15:00 Lunch & Beach

15:00-16:30 Transitional justice, individual criminal responsibility and special International Criminal

Tribunals (ICTY, UNICTR, SCSL, Khmer Rouge Tribunal) (Christina Binder and Vasilka Sancin)

16:30-16:45 Break

16:45-18:15 Transitional justice, individual criminal responsibility & the International Criminal Court (ICC)

(Christina Binder and Vasilka Sancin)

18:15-18:30 Break

18:30-20:00 Evening discussion with Almir Alić, legal expert from the ICTY Outreach Programme on the

topic: Guilty pleas in the practice of the ICTY

Moderation: Christina Binder

Wednesday, 9th September

09:30-11:30 Responsibility to protect (R2P) – Peace enforcement, humanitarian intervention & UN case

studies (Bosnia and Hercegovina, Ruanda, Kuwait-Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Syria) (Vasilka Sancin

and Hannes Tretter)

11:30-11:45 Break

11:45-13:30 The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – its history and mission &

OSCE in practise (human dimension, conflict prevention, early warning, crisis management,

mediation) (Vasilka Sancin)

13:30-14:30 Lunch

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14:30 Time for studying

Thursday, 10th September

09:30-11:20 The Dayton Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina today (Wolfgang Petritsch and Nina

Radović)

11:20-11:30 Break

11:30-13:30 Rights of ethnic and national minorities (Wolfgang Petritsch and Ivana Jelić)

13:30-14:30 Lunch

14:30-15:30 The case of the “Islamic State (IS)” – What could/should be done with regard to R2P and

international criminal jurisdiction? Preparation of the role-play (Vasilka Sancin and Hannes

Tretter)

15:30-15:45 Break

15:45-19:00 Role-play: Negotiations between UNO, OSCE, EU, USA, Russia, and the League of Arab States

about possible solutions how the international community could/should react and what could

be done to stop the terror and the crimes against humanity of the IS (Vasilka Sancin and Hannes

Tretter)

Part 3: Council of Europe

Friday, 11th September

09:30-11:00 Introduction into the human rights regime of the Council of Europe (Hannes Tretter and Ivana

Jelić)

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-13:00 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Court of Human Rights

(ECtHR) (Hannes Tretter and Ivana Jelić)

13:00-14:00 Lunch

Part 4: European Union

14:00-19:00 The fundamental rights framework of the EU – Treaty of Lisbon, EU Charter of Fundamental

Rights (CFR), the relationship between the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) and the European

Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) before and after the accession of the EU to the European

Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the role of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)

(Gabriel Toggenburg and Vesna Knežević Predić), including break

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Saturday, 12th September

Excursion to Lovćen, Kotor and Budva

Sunday, 13th September

Free time & time for studying

Part 5: Selected human rights issues

Monday, 14th September

09:30-11:00 Independence and impartiality of the judiciary and procedural rights with a focus on the right

to personal liberty and security (Vasilka Sancin and Christof Tschohl)

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-13:00 Freedom of expression, independence and pluralism of the media as preconditions for a living

democracy (Hannes Tretter and Filip Radunović)

13:00-15:00 Lunch & Beach

15:00-16:30 Right to vote, political participation, and transparent parliamentarism as basic elements for a

living democracy (Ivana Jelić and Olivera Komar)

16:30-16:45 Break

16:45-18:15 Economy and human rights (Christoph Liebscher)

18:15-18:30 Break

18:30-20:00 Evening discussion on possible political impacts of civil society and necessary legal reforms)

Panellists: Christoph Liebscher (Straniak Foundation), Vedran Džihić (Senior Researcher at the

Austrian Institute for International Politics OIIP and lecturer at the University of Vienna), Lana

Vukmirović-Mišić (Harrison Solicitors), Boris Raonić (Civic Alliance, Montenegro)

Moderation: Hannes Tretter

Tuesday, 15th September

10:00-11:45 Combating corruption and the concept of good governance (Verena Wessely and Olivera

Komar)

11:45-12:00 Break

12:00-13:30 Data protection and access to information (Aleksa Ivanović and Christof Tschohl)

13:30-15:30 Lunch & Beach

15:30-17:00 Women’s and children’s rights (Julia Planitzer and Ajša Hadžibegović)

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17:00-17:15 Break

17:15-19:15 Combating trafficking in human beings (Julia Planitzer and Ivana Jelić)

Wednesday, 16th September

09:30-13:30 The principles of equality and non-discrimination & Combating discrimination and underlying

ideologies like racism, anti-semitism, xenophobia, islamophobia and homophobia, including

LGBT rights (Katrin Wladasch, Mehmed Dječević, Vanja Gagović), including break

13:30 Lunch & Beach

Thursday, 17th September

09:15-11:15 Social rights and poverty reduction, right to property (Karin Lukas and Ivana Jelić)

11:15-11:30 Break

11:30-13:15 Human rights and corporate social responsibility (Karin Lukas and Vasilka Sancin)

13:15-14:00 Lunch

14:00 Time for studying

Friday, 18th September

09:45-12:00 Prohibition of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment including CPT, OPCAT and the

rights of prisoners (Hannes Tretter and Ivana Jelić)

12:00-12:15 Break

12:15-13:45 Asylum, refugees, IDPs and immigrant societies: challenges and political concepts (Ivana Jelić

and Katrin Wladasch)

13:45-14:45 Lunch & Beach

14:00-17:00 Time for studying

17:00-19:00 Multiple choice test

19:00 Farewell party and dinner

Saturday, 19st September

10:00 Handing over certificates to the students

Farewell addresses and reception

Departure

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As to the lectures:

All lectures will be given by a ‘tandem’ of teachers, namely by one expert from an EU Member State and one

from a Western Balkan State.

The teachers were (in alphabetical order):

Christina Binder is University Professor of international law at the University of Vienna and Deputy Director of

the interdisciplinary research centre “Human Rights”. Her fields of expertise are general public international

law, the law of international relations and conflicts, international human rights and humanitarian law and the

rights of indigenous peoples. She regularly publishes and teaches in these fields. Christina also has long-

standing work experience as independent consultant/legal expert for OSCE/ODIHR and EU election observation

and assessment missions.

Mehmed Dječević is Teaching Assistant and Researcher at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of

Montenegro, where he researches mainly in social psychology. He is a doctorate candidate in the department

of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Montenegro, where he defended his master thesis in social

psychology in 2010. He graduated in psychology at University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006. In

addition, he attended gestalt psychotherapy and transactional analysis education for years. He contributes

regularly to the international and domestic conferences and publishes.

Marijana Grandits started her engagement for Human Rights already as a student, fighting for minority rights

and the right to development for the global south. Having served as a former Green deputy to the Austrian

National Parliament Marijana Grandits is now a member of a regional commission at the Ombudsman Board in

Vienna and a dedicated human rights consultant. As an educator Marijana Grandits raises human rights

awareness through her lectures both in the Viennese and Venetian academic environments, the latter being

related to her contribution to the European Masters Programme at the European Inter-University Centre for

Human Rights and Democratisation in Venice. She was involved in many Twinning projects. As a director of the

Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights, Marijana Grandits was previously involved in the

Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. She was a founder of the “Verona Forum”, an initiative for peace and

reconciliation in former YU and is until now supporting a peace project in Srebrenica with the Alexander Langer

Foundation. In 2015 she received the Bruno Kreisky Human Rights Award.

Ajša Hadžibegović is Program Director of the NGO Civic Alliance in Montenegro. She has professional

experience as trainer on peace education, conflict transformation, human and children rights, employability,

inclusion, project management, training and presentation skills, communication and fundraising. She is also a

member of the working groups for drafting the Strategy for Development of the NGO sector and the Law on

Youth in Montenegro.

Aleksa Ivanović is a member of the Council at the Agency for Personal Data Protection in Montenegro. He

worked for diverse international organisations such as the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, and has profound

experience in the rule of law and in the NGO sector. In addition, he was a member the working group for

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drafting Montenegrin law on NGOs, working group for Preparation of the Draft Law on Discrimination, and the

State Committee for Reducing Weapons.

Ivana Jelić, Deputy Director of the Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights, is Associate Professor

at the Law Faculty and Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica, University of Montenegro. She teaches public

international law, international human rights law and diplomatic and consular law. She has profound working

experience as consultant/expert with the CoE, EU, OSCE, OECD, ICRC, UNDP, and provided expertise on the

harmonization of Montenegrin legislation with EU standards. Since 2012, she is a member and since 2014 a

Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee on the CoE Framework Convention for the Protection of National

Minorities in respect of Montenegro. She is a member to the UN Human Rights Committee, for mandate period

2015-2018. She published numerous scientific papers, among which three monographs.

Vesna Knežević Predić is Chair in public international law and law of international organizations of the Faculty

of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade. She is Head of The Faculty’s Center for International Humanitarian

Law and International Organisations and a member of the Commission for International Humanitarian Law of

the Serbian Red Cross. Prof. Knežević-Predić acted as principle legal advisor to the Ministry of foreign affairs of

Serbia and has rich expertise in international academic projects. She authored several books and published

extensively in international and domestic journals.

Olivera Komar is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica, University of Montenegro

and teaches on contemporary political systems, introduction to political science, political communication,

political behaviour, introduction to comparative politics, political marketing and public opinion. Since

November 2012, she is Vice-dean for international cooperation at the Faculty of Political Science, University of

Montenegro.

Christoph Liebscher not only does he have decades of experience as attorney and arbitrator. For several years,

he had left the law to take over management responsibilities in several European multinationals. He is well

versed in the gas industry, including gas price revisions. He publishes and lectures regularly. Having built up the

arbitration department of a large CEE law firm, he founded Liebscher Dispute Management. In addition to his

activities in arbitration, he advises comprehensively in dispute situations (from a legal and a business

perspective).

Karin Lukas is Senior Researcher and Team Leader of the Human Rights in Development Cooperation and

Business Team at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights. She holds lectures, trainings and

presentations for various target groups on human rights and business, women’s rights and development

cooperation. She is a member of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe and works as

consultant for UNDP, Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Austrian Development Agency, OMV, etc.

Wolfgang Petritsch was the EU's Special Envoy for Kosovo (1998-1999), EU chief negotiator at the Kosovo peace

talks in Rambouillet and Paris (1999), and then High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999-2002).

He served as the Austrian ambassador to the UN in Geneva (2002-2008) and to the OECD in Paris (2008-2013),

and was the Joseph A. Schumpeter Fellow at Harvard University (2013-2014). He is currently the President of

the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation.

Julia Planitzer works as Legal Researcher at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights in the Unit for

Women's Rights, Children's Rights and Trafficking in Human Beings. Her current work focuses on trafficking in

38

human beings. Between 2010 and 2013 she was a research fellow at the Doctoral College “Empowerment

through Human Rights” of the University of Vienna.

Milan M. Popović is a theoretician of modern society, sociologist and political scientist. He is ordinary professor

at the University of Montenegro in Podgorica, teaching in the field of Modern Political Systems. Prof. Popović

is visiting professor and lecturer at several European and international universities as well as local and

international non-governmental programs. He declares himself as anti-war, civil and democratic activist. He is

member of a large number of local and international non-governmental organizations. Prof. Popović is author

of about twenty books on social sciences and two novels. He is regular columnist for the Montenegrin

independent weekly Monitor. A more detailed biography and bibliography can be found on the website:

www.milanmpopovic.info

Nina Radović works as Researcher and Coordinator for the Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights

at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights in Vienna. She holds a Master Degree in Romance Philology

(French) and a Master Degree in International Development. Her academic and professional focus is the

Western Balkan region. Previously she worked for the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the area of

minority rights.

Filip Radunović works as project manager for ERSTE Foundation’s Europe Programme, overseeing initiatives on

media freedom, civic education and democratisation, social research and EU-Policy/good governance. He

studied communication studies and political science at the University of Vienna where his Masters and doctoral

theses focused on semiotics and media psychology. Filip worked in the past as a researcher at the Institute for

Communication and Media Science in Vienna and for KulturKontakt Austria in Podgorica, Montenegro. He

continues to pursue his academic interest as a lecturer in media theories at the Faculty of Drama Arts in Cetinje,

Montenegro.

Vasilka Sancin is a Vice-Dean and a Director of the Institute for International Law and International Relations

at the Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana, where she teaches public international law, law of armed conflict,

diplomatic and consular law, international legal aspects of the EU law and international organisations at

undergraduate and postgraduate level. She is also a Director of the Centre for International and Business Law

in Ljubljana and a Conference Chair of two series of biannual conferences on R2P (Responsibility to Protect in

Theory and Practice Conferences – www.r2pconference.com) and environmental issues

(www.environmentlawconference.com).

Gabriel Toggenburg works for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). He is responsible for

the coordination of the FRA annual report, as well as the Agency’s Scientific Committee, and is also a member

of the Opinions Committee. His areas of expertise with respect to the FRA’s work include diversity related issues

like minority rights and general questions of EU law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights. He worked

for a decade at the European Academy in Bolzano as a senior legal researcher, where he also provided policy

advice. In addition, he has been a visiting academic at universities in the United States and Austria. He studied

law, and has published extensively on a range of human rights issues, with over 60 peer-reviewed journal

articles and book chapters.

Christof Tschohl is Scientific Director of the Research Institute AG & Co KG in Austria, Of Counsel at the Ludwig

Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Lecturer in education and training of Austrian judges and prosecutors,

39

Lecturer at the Danube University Krems and the University of Vienna. He is also Board Member of the ‘Working

Group on Data Retention Austria’ (AKVorrat.at) and Board Member of the Austrian Computer Society (OCG).

His fields of expertise are fundamental and human rights in the digital information society, technology and law,

telecommunications law, media law and IT law, as well as fundamental rights in the judicial practice.

Hannes Tretter, the Director of the Straniak Academy for Democracy and Human Rights, is Associate Professor

for fundamental and human rights law at the inter-disciplinary Research Centre Human Rights of the University

of Vienna, and Co-Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM) in Vienna. He is also

teaching at the Danube University Krems/Austria and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Montenegro

and the University of Split. He was and is acting as human rights expert in various EU projects and as legal

adviser in procedures before the European Court of Human Rights. Between 2007 and 2012 he was Vice-chair

of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

Verena Wessely works in the International Department of the Austrian Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption.

Before that function, she worked among other functions as OSCE Long-term election observer and Programme

and Project Manager within the European Commission/EU Delegation in Belgrade.

Katrin Wladasch works as Legal and Socio-Economic Researcher at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human

Rights. Her main areas of expertise are anti-discrimination, diversity and access to justice and her work focuses

on bringing the underlying principles into practise – in Austria as well as in EU accession countries. She is vice-

president of the Litigation Association of NGOs against discrimination, member of the monitoring body for the

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Vienna and was founding board member of the

NGO ZARA for civil courage and anti-racism work (1999-2013) and member of the human rights advisory board

to the Austrian Ombudsman Office (2012-2014). She is lecturer at the University of Vienna, the Danube

University Krems and the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna and has been working as a human rights

consultant and trainer since 1999.

Annex II

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Publishing information: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights Research Association Freyung 6 (Schottenhof) 1. Hof, Stiege II 1010 Vienna, Austria Phone +43 1 4277 27420 http://bim.lbg.ac.at/en bim.office@univie.ac.at n.radovic@univie.ac.at