Isidora Pop-Lazić, Research Associate at the Institute of International Politics and Economics, participated in the EuroMeSCo Workout 2026 programme, organized by Euro-Mediterranean Study Commission (EuroMeSCo) and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), with the financial support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
As part of the programme, Ms. Pop-Lazić attended two specialized training courses intended for researchers and experts from think tanks and research organizations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States.
The first course, Mediterranean Track II & 1.5 Diplomacy Lab, was conducted under the leadership of Professor Ahmet Sözen of the Eastern Mediterranean University and experts from Diplomeds – The Council for Mediterranean Diplomacy. The training focused on the role of Track II and Track 1.5 diplomacy in addressing geopolitical rivalries in the Mediterranean, building trust, fostering dialogue, and translating informal diplomatic processes into policy-relevant outcomes in increasingly polarized environments.
The second course, Diplomacy and Foresight, was led by Silvia Colombo of the NATO Defense College. The training explored the application of foresight methods in diplomacy and decision-making during times of crisis. Particular emphasis was placed on backcasting as a practical tool for developing desirable future scenarios, mapping diplomatic pathways, and designing strategic responses to complex and long-term crises.
The EuroMeSCo Workout 2026 programme aimed to strengthen the capacities of researchers and experts from organizations affiliated with the EuroMeSCo network. Ms. Pop-Lazić’s participation in the programme further confirms the successful cooperation between the Institute of International Politics and Economics and the EuroMeSCo network, of which the Institute has been a member since 2023.
