„Walls and Bridges: The Diplomats' Perspective” is a special discussion panel of the international conference “Walls“. It will be held in the form of a round table and will consider the issues raised by the scientific forum, but not from an academic, but from a practical point of view. Its participants are professional diplomats whose work is almost daily related to overcoming walls or creating new ones; their practical immersion in current politics and geopolitical dynamics constantly forces them to both protect borders and seek opportunities for cross-border cooperation and dialogue.
The topics that the discussion raises will be related to these visible and invisible borders and the resulting risks to liberal democracy. What are the current dividing lines within the EU, between the EU and the rest of the European countries that remain outside the union, what are the possibilities for diplomatic prevention of dangers and for mediation on risky issues? And what should be the principle role of diplomacy in maintaining the delicate balance between security and freedom in search of European solidarity?
Current challenges will also be touched upon: what are the possible scenarios that diplomacy can offer regarding populisms, the culture wars, the series of migrant waves, disinformation, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
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The following will take part in the discussion: N. Ex. Irene Plank, Ambassador of Germany; N. Pr. Olesya Ilashchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine; N. Pr. Brandusha Ioana Predescu, Ambassador of Romania.