Na konferernciji su govorili: Đ. Milićević, A. Bitonti, U. Mrdić, A. Bovan, N.Vuković

U brzom ritmu savremenog sveta, gde tehnološke i geopolitičke promene oblikuju svakodnevni život, značaj strateškog lobiranja i transparentnosti nikada nije bio veći. O tome su  stručnjaci iz  zemlje i inostranstva raspravljali na međunarodnoj konferenciji pod nazivom „Strateško Lobiranje i Transparentnost u 21. Veku“, koja je održana u Narodnoj skupštini Srbije, u organizaciji ESEM poslovne škole i Društva lobista Srbije.

Konferenciju je otvorio ministar bez portfelja, Đorđe Milićević, a među govornicima su bili ugledni stručnjaci kao što su profesor Alberto Bitonti iz Italije , izvršni direktor MC Public Affairs i  predsednik Udruženja za zakonito lobiranje Slovenije Mihael Cigler, Marija Rose Rotondo, predsednica PACE i partnerka u kompaniji Political Intelligence Espana, Veran Stančetić, profesor na Fakultetu političkih nauka u Beogradu, Stjuart Tomson, direktor kompanije CWE Communications iz Velike Britanije, i mnogi drugi ugledni stručnjaci. Na konferenciji su se čule  značajne informacije, znanja I primeri dobre prakse veoma dragoceni  kako za sve koji se bave lobiranjem tako I za razvoj lobiranja u Srbiji.

Ministar Đorđe Milićević naglasio je važnost strateškog lobiranja i transparentnosti u današnjem globalnom okruženju. „Strateško lobiranje i transparentnost predstavljaju ključne teme u savremenom društvu, posebno u eri brze razmene informacija i globalnih odluka. Ova konferencija je okupila stručnjake iz Italije, Španije, Velike Britanije i Slovenije, istakavši globalni značaj ovih pitanja. Kroz strateško lobiranje, mi ne samo što promovišemo naše interese, već ostvarujemo i saradnju, razmenu znanja s drugim državama, doprinosimo ekonomskom razvoju i podstičemo investicije.“

Poseban naglasak ministar je stavio  na ulogu dijaspore u ovim procesima rečima: „Dijaspora ima ključnu ulogu u ovom procesu. Naši sunarodnici širom sveta predstavljaju most između Srbije i sveta. Njihova sposobnost da utiču na donošenje odluka u zemljama gde trenutno žive je neprocenjiva. Stoga je važno pružiti im podršku i alate kako bi efikasno lobirali za interese Srbije. Pozivam sve prisutne da se maksimalno angažuju i koriste svoj uticaj kako bi širili istinu o istorijskom i kulturnom nasleđu naše zemlje, posebno u vezi sa stradanjem našeg naroda na Kosovu i Metohiji.“

Profesor Alberto Bitonti iz Italije je sažeo značaj transparentnosti u lobiranju rečima bivšeg američkog sudije Luisa Brandisa: “Sunčeva svetlost je najbolje dezinfekciono sredstvo.” Profesor Bitonti je slikovito I jasno ukazao na neophodnost transparentnosti u procesu lobiranja. Ona pruža jasnoću i čistoću, čime se obezbeđuje integritet sistema.Bitonti smatra da je  transparentnost  ključna ne samo za lobiste već i za donosioce odluka. Umesto da bude problem, lobiranje  posmatra kao priliku za unapređenje procesa donošenja odluka i jačanje poverenja u politički sistem.

Nenad Vuković, predsednik Društva lobista Srbije, u svom obraćanju istakao je: „Pravilno razumevanje i primena lobiranja predstavljaju ključni korak ka napretku naše zemlje. Transparentnost i integritet procesa lobiranja su od suštinskog značaja za izgradnju odgovorne političke i ekonomske klime u Srbiji. Ova konferencija predstavlja važan korak ka promociji boljeg razumevanja lobiranja i njegove uloge u oblikovanju politika i zakona u našoj zemlji.“

Profesor Ana Bovan, dekan ESEM Biznis škole, istakla je kontinuirano lobiranje kao ključnu strategiju u savremenom globalizovanom svetu. „Kontinuirano lobiranje predstavlja proaktivan pristup globalnoj diplomatiji i međunarodnim odnosima. Države koje se aktivno i strateški angažuju sa međunarodnom zajednicom bolje su pozicionirane da zaštite i unaprede svoje interese, bilo da se radi o ekonomiji, politici, kulturi ili bezbednosti.“

Jedan od važnih momenata konferencije bilo je predstavljanje slovenačkog iskustva u oblasti lobiranja od strane Mihaela Ciglera, predsednika Udruženja za zakonito lobiranje Slovenije. On je naglasio značaj registra transparentnosti: „Svaki lobista mora biti maksimalno aktivan i transparentan. Bez lobiranja nema demokratije. Male zemlje moraju biti vidljive kroz veće angažovanje, jer jedino tako neće odlučivati o vašoj zemlji bez znanja o vašim interesima.“

Ove reči pokazuju saglasnost stručnjaka, akademika i praktičara na konferenciji u vezi sa ključnim značajem transparentnosti za održivo i odgovorno lobiranje u 21. veku, kako u Srbiji, tako i u drugim zemljama.

 Dr. Uglješa Mrdić, poslanik, posebno je govorio o istorijskom značaju lobiranja za interese Srbije. On je istakao važnost učesnika kao što su Mihailo Pupin i Nikola Tesla, koji su u vreme kada su živeli znali da ono što se osvoji u ratu treba sačuvati i u miru. Dr. Mrdić je istakao da je Pupin postavio presedan, čuvajući teritorije gde su naši ljudi živeli, čak i one koje nisu bile osvojene ratom, već ih je izlobirao da pripadnu tadašnjoj državi.

Pomoćnik direktora Agencije za sprečavanje korupcije, Jovan Božović, je pružio konkretne podatke o obuci i registraciji lobista u Srbiji. Prema njegovim rečima, 122 lica su završila obuku, od čega je 50 lobista registrovano u registru lobista, 3 pravna lica su upisana u registar pravnih lica, dok je 9 obaveštenja o prvim lobističkim kontaktima podneto od avgusta 2019. godine. Takođe, 14 godišnjih izveštaja lobista je dostavljeno Agenciji.

Božović je detaljno objasnio da obuka koju sprovodi Agencija ima minimalistički pristup i fokusira se samo na normativni okvir, odnosno na ograničenja koja lobisti moraju poštovati u svom radu. Agencija prati sve što se dešava u oblasti lobiranja i razmatra mogućnost obogaćivanja obuke lobista. On je najavio i organizovanje dodatnih edukacija za postojeće registrovane lobiste, koje će obuhvatiti strategije, taktike i tehnike lobiranja. Božović je predložio da se na sledećoj konferenciji diskutuje o potrebnim izmenama i dopunama postojećeg zakona o lobiranju.

Učesnici konferencije

Advokat Marija Tasic predstavila je značajne podatke o lobiranju velikih kompanija u Evropi : „U 2022. godini, 612 kompanija lobiralo je pred evropskim institucijama, ukupno izdvajajući 97 miliona evra za ovu praksu. Preko 30 posto tog novca potrošeno je od strane tehnoloških giganata kao što su Vodafone, Intel, IBM, Huawei, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook i Google, koji su zajedno uložili više od 32 miliona evra. Ova tendencija ukazuje na sveprisutni uticaj tehnologije u lobiranju, posebno u oblasti digitalne ekonomije. Kompanije se retko pojedinačno angažuju, već se često udružuju u asocijacije kako bi angažovale lobiste i uticale na promene zakona i propisa.“

Skupu se obratio I profesor  dr Veran Stančetić, professor na Fakultetu političkih nauka u Beogradu, koji je u svom izlaganju naglasio da je nužno da lobistička profesija postane visoko cenjena i visoko etična profesija i delatnost. Takodje profesor  smatra da se to može postići obrazovanjem lobista I zaključuje: “Cilj obrazovanja lobiste mora biti njegova posvećenost etici I moralu I etici javnog sektora.”

Ova konferencija je potvrdila ključnu ulogu transparentnosti i integriteta u procesu lobiranja, ne samo kao regulatornog mehanizma već i kao osnove za izgradnju poverenja u politički sistem. Stručnjaci iz različitih delova sveta saglasni su da je transparentnost ključ za održivo i odgovorno lobiranje u 21. veku. Srbija, zajedno sa drugim zemljama, koristi ovo znanje i iskustvo kako bi unapredila svoje političke i ekonomske procese, čime jača svoju poziciju u globalnoj zajednici.

Na konferernciji su govorili: Đ. Milićević, A. Bitonti, U. Mrdić, A. Bovan, N.Vuković

Ana Aleksić
October 12, 2023

In the fast-paced world of today, where technological and geopolitical changes shape everyday life, the
importance of strategic lobbying and transparency has never been greater. Experts from home and
abroad discussed this at the international conference titled „Strategic Lobbying and Transparency in the
21st Century,“ held in the National Assembly of Serbia, organized by the ESEM Business School and the
Serbian Lobbyists Society.

The conference was opened by the Minister without Portfolio, Đorđe Milićević, and among the speakers
were distinguished experts such as Professor Alberto Bitonti from Italy, Executive Director of MC Public
Affairs and President of the Association for Legal Lobbying of Slovenia, Mihael Cigler, Marija Rose
Rotondo, President of PACE and partner at Political Intelligence Espana, Veran Stančetić, Professor at
the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, Stuart Thompson, Director of CWE Communications from
the United Kingdom, and many other distinguished experts. The conference provided significant
information, knowledge, and examples of good practice, valuable for everyone involved in lobbying and
for the development of lobbying in Serbia.

Minister Đorđe Milićević emphasized the importance of strategic lobbying and transparency in today’s
global environment. „Strategic lobbying and transparency are crucial topics in modern society, especially
in an era of rapid information exchange and global decisions. This conference brought together experts
from Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia, highlighting the global significance of these issues.
Through strategic lobbying, we not only promote our interests but also foster cooperation, exchange
knowledge with other countries, contribute to economic development, and stimulate investments.“

The Minister placed special emphasis on the role of the diaspora in these processes, stating: „The
diaspora plays a crucial role in this process. Our compatriots worldwide serve as a bridge between
Serbia and the world. Their ability to influence decision-making in the countries where they currently
reside is invaluable. Therefore, it is important to provide them with support and tools to effectively
lobby for Serbia’s interests. I call on all present to engage to the fullest and use their influence to spread
the truth about the historical and cultural heritage of our country, especially regarding the suffering of
our people in Kosovo and Metohija.“

Professor Alberto Bitonti from Italy summarized the importance of transparency in lobbying with the
words of former American judge Louis Brandeis: „Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.“
Professor Bitonti vividly and clearly pointed out the necessity of transparency in the lobbying process. It

provides clarity and purity, ensuring the integrity of the system. Bitonti believes that transparency is
crucial not only for lobbyists but also for decision-makers. Instead of being a problem, lobbying is seen
as an opportunity to improve the decision-making process and strengthen trust in the political system.

Nenad Vuković, President of the Serbian Lobbyists Society, emphasized in his address: „Proper
understanding and implementation of lobbying represent a crucial step towards the progress of our
country. Transparency and integrity in the lobbying process are essential for building a responsible
political and economic climate in Serbia. This conference represents an important step towards
promoting a better understanding of lobbying and its role in shaping policies and laws in our country.“

Professor Ana Bovan, Dean of the ESEM Business School, highlighted continuous lobbying as a key
strategy in the contemporary globalized world. „Continuous lobbying represents a proactive approach to
global diplomacy and international relations. States that actively and strategically engage with the
international community are better positioned to protect and advance their interests, whether it be in
economics, politics, culture, or security.“

One of the important moments of the conference was the presentation of Slovenian lobbying
experience by Mihael Cigler, President of the Association for Legal Lobbying of Slovenia. He emphasized
the importance of the transparency register: „Every lobbyist must be maximally active and transparent.
Without lobbying, there is no democracy. Small countries must be visible through greater engagement
because only then will decisions not be made about your country without knowledge of your interests.“

These words show the consensus of experts, academics, and practitioners at the conference regarding
the crucial importance of transparency for sustainable and responsible lobbying in the 21st century,
both in Serbia and in other countries.

Dr. Uglješa Mrdić, Member of Parliament, especially spoke about the historical significance of lobbying
for Serbia’s interests. He emphasized the importance of participants such as Mihailo Pupin and Nikola
Tesla, who, during their lifetimes, knew that what is won in war should be preserved in peace. Dr. Mrdić
highlighted that Pupin set a precedent, preserving territories where our people lived, even those that
were not conquered by war, but he lobbied for them to belong to the then state.

Jovan Božović, Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, provided concrete data on lobbying
training and registration in Serbia. According to him, 122 individuals have completed training, of which
50 lobbyists are registered in the lobbyist registry, 3 legal entities are entered in the registry of legal
entities, and 9 notifications of first lobbying contacts have been submitted since August 2019.
Additionally, 14 annual lobbyist reports have been submitted to the Agency.

Božović explained in detail that the training conducted by the Agency has a minimalist approach and
focuses only on the regulatory framework, i.e., the limitations that lobbyists must respect in their work.
The Agency monitors everything happening in the field of lobbying and considers the possibility of
enriching lobbyist training. He announced the organization of additional training for existing registered
lobbyists, which will cover lobbying strategies, tactics, and techniques. Božović proposed that the
necessary amendments to the existing lobbying law be discussed at the next conference. Lawyer Marija
Tasic presented significant data on lobbying by large companies in Europe: „In 2022, 612 companies
lobbied before European institutions, spending a total of 97 million euros on this practice. Over 30
percent of that money was spent by technology giants such as Vodafone, Intel, IBM, Huawei, Apple,
Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Google, which together invested more than 32 million euros. This
trend indicates the omnipresent influence of technology in lobbying, especially in the field of digital
economy. Companies rarely engage individually but often join associations to hire lobbyists and
influence changes in laws and regulations.“

Professor Veran Stančetić, a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, addressed the
conference, emphasizing in his presentation that the lobbying profession must become highly esteemed
and highly ethical. He also believes that this can be achieved through lobbyist education and concludes:
„The goal of lobbyist education must be their commitment to ethics, morality, and ethics of the public sector.“

This conference confirmed the key role of transparency and integrity in the lobbying process, not only as
a regulatory mechanism but also as the basis for building trust in the political system. Experts from
different parts of the world agree that transparency is the key to sustainable and responsible lobbying in
the 21st century. Serbia, along with other countries, utilizes this knowledge and experience to improve
its political and economic processes, thereby strengthening its position in the global community.

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