Building human capital

In the field of human capital, the RCC will work to implement projects that will renew and strengthen social and human potential of South East Europe (SEE). This is recognized by the RCC as a key to accelerated resolution of many of residual patterns and stereotypes hampering regional cooperation or burdening societal relations and relations among different communities.

Fostering the existing and building new human capital is a top priority in the reform processes of all SEE countries. The RCC focuses in particular on the initiatives of common interests to the SEE countries and fully supports the existing reconciliation initiatives in the region, enhanced cultural exchange, human contact, events and other initiatives aimed at relaxing social relations in the region and positive profiling of SEE as a place of tolerance and rich human capital.

Particular attention will be given to younger generations and employment policies, as they are key to a long-lasting stability in the region.

The RCC will seek to raise general public awareness in the region of the advantages of a Trust Based Societies (TBS) notion. It will focus on communicating the TBS model throughout the region, in strong belief that it can also provide a driving platform for continued reconciliation and fostering of a culture of dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect. 

The RCC advocates that the SEE countries set education and vocational training as a national priority, in order to benefit from the extra funding available for education through EU CARDS, PHARE and IPA programmes. It will seek synergy between individual educational policies of the countries in the region and the EU general educational policy, to improve educational level in SEE. The RCC will support SEE participation in the EU’s Integrated Community Programme for Lifelong Learning, cooperate with university networks, support mobility and students exchanges and harmonization of educational reform in the region and the objectives of the European Qualification Framework of the EU. Special attention will be paid to the Novi Sad Initiative, as an instrument of implementation of European Higher Education and Research Areas. 

The RCC will support universities and other research institutions in the region in strengthening their participation with research institutions and researchers of the EU Member States within the 7th Framework Programme.

Efforts will be invested to ensure that the introduction and development of ICT emerges as a prominent feature on the region’s reform agenda. The RCC will support realisation of the fundamental aim of the Electronic South East Europe (eSEE) initiative – the creation of a single, open, and competitive ICT market, in order to achieve an inclusive e-societies that will promote growth and job creation. The RCC will seek strong engagement with Centre for eGovernance Development in Ljubljana as a single coordination point for eGoverance activities in the region, providing a focal point for the creation and dissemination of knowledge regarding eGovernance, eCommerce, and the overall development of modern public administration in SEE. 

A particular attention will be paid to the model of Knowledge Based Economy (KBE), in strong belief that it offers the most valuable platform for accelerated development.

Parliamentary cooperation

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe was established in Sofia, Bulgaria. Its aim is to help intensify regional parliamentary cooperation at all levels, ensuring coordination and political support for the formulation and implementation of regional activities. The Secretariat will also act as an information network between and for the Parliaments of the region. Such stronger and institutionalised parliamentary cooperation is also aiming at strengthening democratic efficiency and effectiveness of SEE Parliaments as well as at promotion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

While the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe will act as a main focal point for the activities concerning parliamentary cooperation in SEE, the RCC and its Secretariat will remain actively involved in this process. The Regional Secretariat will form integral part of the RCC network of initiatives in South East Europe.

Links to parliaments in South East Europe: 

Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Greece
Republic of Moldova
Montenegro
Romania (Senate of Romania and  Chamber of Deputies)
Serbia
Turkey
Parliament of Kosovo represented in the RCC by UNMIK in accordance with UN SC Resolution 1244