In cooperation with the Centre for the Study of Religions (CSR) at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) Sofia organized a roundtable “Religion and Extremism in the Western Balkans” held on July 7, 2021 in the New Conference Hall of the Rectorate of Sofia University. The discussion was centred around a public lecture delivered by Marjan Gjurovski, Professor of Security Studies at the Faculty of Security in Skopje, Vice-Rector of St. Kliment Ohridski University in North Macedonia.
Marjan Gjurovski has numerous publications and a large experience in the study of the regional problems in the Western Balkans, including violent extremism and radicalization. Previously, he worked also as a journalist and was a spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia. Currently, Professor Gjurovski is Adviser of Stevo Pendarovski, President of the Republic of North Macedonia. Apart from discussing the factors and drivers of violent extremism in the Western Balkans, the roundtable paid special attention to what PREVEX designates as a decisive moment for its occurrence, such as the role of the Bosnian war with the advent of the mujahedeen in the region and, subsequently, the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Middle East.
The roundtable was moderated by Boyko Vassilev, a Bulgarian journalist and intellectual known for his expertise on the Western Balkans, host of the influential talk show “Panorama” at the Bulgarian National Television.
Programme
- Moderator: Dr. Boyko Vassilev, Bulgarian National Television
17:00–17:30 INTRODUCTION
- Prof. Dr. Simeon Evstatiev, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religions, Sofia University
- Prof. Dr. Diana Mishkova, Director of the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia
- Dr. Boyko Vassilev, Bulgarian National Television
17:30–18:30 PUBLIC LECTURE
Radicalisation and Security Threats in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans: Regional Challenges and Priorities
- Visiting Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Marjan Gjurovski
Vice-Rector of St. Kliment Ohridski University in the Republic of North Macedonia
18:30–19:15 DISCUSSION
