Slovak Security Forum (SBF) is the second largest security conference, which traditionally opens a diplomatic season in Slovakia. SBF represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Slovak national security dialogue. More than 150 representatives from governmental, non-governmental and private spheres meet annually at the conference. The SBF is a unique project organized by the Euro-Atlantic Center in cooperation with the University Library in Bratislava and with support from Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and the NATO Public Diplomacy Section in Brussels.
In 2017, the eleventh conference will take place, whose main ambition is to create a framework consensus of the Slovak security community on current and perspective issues of national, regional and global security from a perspective of the interests, expectations and needs of the Slovak Republic as a member of the EU and NATO. The eleventh SBF conference format will be enriched by a number of innovations where, in addition to traditional panel discussions, participants will propose concrete solutions to the most pressing challenges and questions that Slovakia faces.
SBF 2017 aims to design and to present possible ways for deeper participation of European Union´s members in addressing security issues. The forum represents a platform for a deliberate and productive debate on current issues and threats to security and foreign policy that are considered direct concerns to the Slovak Republic. The purpose of the conference is to devise conclusions that can be subsequently applied to solve serious issues within the security or foreign policy environment at regional and global level. The outcomes of the conference can serve as recommendations that the SR could apply in its NATO or EU framework.
Each panel focuses itself on different topics such as the European Defence Strategy and its evaluation, Security Strategy of the Slovak Republic and linking security issues with education in the formative age. The last-mentioned topic is related to the accompanying Young Leaders event. During previous years of this project, round tables proved to be a successful form of interactive discussion. A direct roundtable discussion will allow participants to share their views on the issue of connecting education and security. They will also be able to share their own insights with political and security experts.
10th anniversary of the Slovak Security Forum (SBF) hosted more than 150 participants from all areas of public life together with diplomatic corps´ representatives in Bratislava. Thematic discussions were devoted to NATO after the Warsaw Summit, preparation of the new Security and Defence Strategy of the Slovak Republic, the phenomenon of extremism, radicalism and paramilitary units as well as cyber security and the threat of disinformation, propaganda and hybrid war. The conclusions from the individual conversations as well as the entire forum can be found in the final report .
For more information and documents from SBF 2016 visit www.sbf.eac.sk