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Mission Statement
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES (CSS) is an independent, non- profit and privatised research institute and think tank based in Belgrade.
CSS was founded in July 1985 at the initiative of the Presidency and Federal Government of former Yugoslavia. During the first five years, Center served as a link between research in international relations and decision making circles focusing analyses on issues considered at that time to be important for the strategic position of Yugoslavia in the world. The last completed project from that period was "Anatomy of the Yugoslav crisis" anticipating grosso modo the main features of the forthcoming break-up of the country. As a first institute of this kind in former Yugoslavia, CSS was considered as an open-minded forum (as much as it was possible at that time), initiating research and discussions on most important issues of international relations and Yugoslavia’s development.
Since 1991 the CSS evolved into an eminently non-governmental institute. Simultaneuosly with the privatisation, CSS in a way changed the priorities of its program and broadened its international and European vocation. Its research program focuses on the main aspects of the newly created international system and historical changes in international relations provoked by the fall of totalitarian systems in the Eastern Europe. Recognizing the low level of capabilities of Balkans societies to resolve their differences in a democratic and non-violent way, CSS is particularly oriented toward conflict-resolution studies, with special emphasis on peace research and issues pertaining to the ways toward democracy in the East-European, the Balkans and Mediterranean countries.
- Concerning the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia
and Montenegro) CSS studies are mainly
focused on issues with regard the overcoming the current phase of
the country's development, on possibilities for strengthening civil society
and obtaining an adequate place in the family of democratic European states.
CSS is convinced that the fulfillment
of conditions for membership in the Council of Europe - as some kind of
proof of democratic maturity of each European society - especially the
improvement of the situation in the field of parliamentary life, human
rights and freedoms and status of minorities - should represent the genuine
strategic aim of any Yugoslav government. Long-term objectives of such
a policy should lead Yugoslavia into the European Union and Western defense
structures.
The CSS program and
all academic activities are assigned to the promotion of above mentioned
objectives and values.
