On May 14, 2013 and May 16, 2013 the debates between University students from Serbia and Slovakia were launched. Students from the Faculty of Political Sciences of Belgrade University argued with their peers from the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences of Comenius University in Bratislava and the students from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Novi Sad debated the students from the Faculty of Political Sciences and International Relations of Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica. Students debated NATO, its history, values, security guarantees, prosperity connected with membership, defense financing and Serbia-NATO partnership.

The debates were preceded by a lecture of Peter Bator, the Chief Political Advisor to the Permanent Representative of Slovakia to NATO. In his remarks, he stressed the importance of regional security cooperation, the perspectives of NATO’s engagement in the region and usefulness of the cooperation between Serbia and NATO.

The debates between the student teams can be viewed here.

This crossborder, civic education project aimed at promoting democratic values, encouraging critical thinking and strengthening debating skills of students is moderated by MESA10 and implemented in cooperation with the Belgrade-based Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies (CEAS).

MESA10 NATO University Debate Project is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.