NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW)
“Practical Applications of Advanced Technologies for Enhancing Security and Defence Capabilities: Perspectives and Challenges for WB”

Call for Papers

The Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia in cooperation with the Atlantic Council of Bosnia & Herzegovina will host NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) entitled: “Practical Applications of Advanced Technologies for Enhancing Security and Defense Capabilities: Perspectives and Challenges for Western Balkans” supported by NATO Science for Peace Program (NATO SPS). The ARW will take place in Ohrid (Republic of North Macedonia) from 03.09.2020 to 06.09.2020.

The primary objective of this ARW is to explore the primary applications of advanced technology (including AI and autonomous technology) for security and defence purposes, to raise the level of awareness and understanding among the key stakeholders regarding the practical potentials and main challenges of implementing advanced technology for purposes of strengthening the defence systems in Western Balkans, and to pitch the premises for the development of strategies for regional cooperation between public institutions, academia and private actors.

The ARW will be composed of presentations by experts in a form of lectures and discussion sessions conceptualized as workshop groups/round tables with a moderator. In this vein, the event will bring together renowned experts and pundits in technical and social sciences from NATO and NATO partner countries that will take participation as speakers and participants and will address the latest trends, as well as the technical, strategic and legal aspects of the new and innovative technology. 

FORMAT OF THE EVENT: The programme is specifically designed to combine presentations by experts in a form of lectures and discussion sessions conceptualized as workshop groups or round tables with a moderator. This concept will apply to each topic.

COURSE OF THE EVENT:

Day 1 (03rd of September 2020): Arrival of the participants;

Day 2 (04th of September 2020): Lectures and Discussions on the technical and military aspects of advanced technology;

Day 3 (05^th of September 2020): Lectures and Discussions on the political aspects of advanced technology;

Day 4 (06th of September 2020): Lectures and Discussions on the legal and ethical aspects of advanced technology/Closing and final remarks.

In this regard, we are delighted to invite abstract submissions for conference presentations and for the NATO SPS publication that is expected to be published after the conclusion of the event.

The proposals should contain a paper title and abstract for themes/presentations including but not exclusive to:

- AI: Principal Technologies and Applications;

- The Future of Warfare: Autonomous Systems, Cyber Weapons and Robotics;

- AI Technology for Military Purposes;

- AI and Cyber Threats;

- AI and Machine Learning Systems for Strengthening Cyber-defense Capabilities;

- Implementing AI Research and Analysis for Enhancing Security and Defense;

- Developing Autonomous Technology for purpose of Maximizing Defense Capabilities: Challenges and Opportunities for the Western Balkan Countries;

- Political and Strategic Considerations of AI’s Impact on Military Leadership and Decision-Making;

- Governance and Accountability in AI;

- Autonomous Technology and Autonomous Weapon Systems: Challenges for International Law;

- The Prospects of Public-Private Partnerships for Development of AI Solutions;

- Socio-Ethical Challenges of AI Technology.

Paper proposals should include:

-Author/Speaker Name(s)

-Professional/Academic Title(s)

-Abstract and Title (max. 500 words)

-Short bio/resume (max. 150 words)

The abstract proposals should be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than the 15^th of June 2020.

In addition, selected speakers should submit the PPT presentation until the 1^st of August 2020.

The deadline for full papers submission is 30^th October 2020.

The event will take place in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Travel (flight and local transport) and accommodation expenses (lodging and meals) will be covered by the organizer.

Please note that due to the uncertainty of the situation with COVID-19 outbreak, there might be slight changes in the agenda, dates and the format of the event. The participants will be timely notified of any organizational changes that may become necessary due to the unpredictability of the epidemic.

The co-directors of the event are Mr. Ilija Djugumanov, Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia and Dr. Dijana Gupta, Atlantic Council of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

All questions regarding the event should be addressed to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .