International conference on the refugee crisis

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Zagreb, 14th December 2015 - At the invitation of the German liberal Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, CPP's Political Academy participated at the international conference on the refugee crisis. The Academy was represented by Jug Puljizević, member of the Presidency of CPP's Zagrebačka county organization and assistant at the Central Office of CPP. We carry his text entirely.

Through our Political Academy at the invitation of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, I participated at an international conference on the refugee crisis, with particular reference to the so-called "Balkan route". The conference was held on December 8th 2015.

The conference was held through three panels in three different locations. I was the keynote speaker on the first panel entitled "The causes and symptoms of the refugee crisis" along with Anne-Brigitte Krum-Hansen, senior official of the UNHCR. After the opening statements we both answered the questions of those gathered, who showed a huge interest about this topical issue. On this occasion I made a statement for RTS, and I appeared in the central news of Prva TV.

At the second panel, "The current situation - successes and failures", the keynote speaker was Theodoros Skylakakis, former MEP from Greece, while in final section entitled "Future strategies for the refugee crisis", the last word had German Ambassador in Serbia Axel Dittmann.

In the break between the second and third panel we visited "Miksalište", volunteer center for refugees in Belgrade. Well-organized volunteers from a number of countries on a daily basis receive 300 refugees on the so-called "Balkan route". Among the most active volunteers is also our Tajana from Međimurje, who is studying in Belgrade. It was a real pleasure to see with how much passion and dedication, mostly young people are helping refugees.

The completion of the conference was in the Mixer House, where we relaxed in an informal conversation, with good music and light snacks. In addition to the familiar themes, I was able to point out some of the problems faced by refugees, and about which the public speaks little or nothing, such as the trafficking of women and children (primarily as "slave labor"), which is practically going on in the heart of Europe. I am glad that there is interest to approach the refugee crisis through personal level and through the prism of human rights and dignity, especially for those most vulnerable.

The conference was successful, but personally I see it as a good start or a springboard for a much larger and more comprehensive engagement and mutual dialogue, which should lead to a common European solution and platform based on consensus.

Jug Puljizević