5th WB6 DIGITAL
SUMMIT PRISHTINA 2022

21 – 22 SEPTEMBER 2022

About the summit -

On May 17, 2018, at the Digital Assembly in Sofia, Bulgaria, the European Commission launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. This aims to support the transition of the region into a digital economy and bring the benefits of digital transformation, such as faster economic growth, more jobs, and better services. Part of the agenda is organizing the Western Balkans Digital Summit (WBDS), each year in different members capitals. WBDS this year will be organized in Kosovo, Prishtina on the 21st and 22nd of September.

Sessions
Very competent speakers will discuss about the challenges and latest developments on region and beyond.
Side Events
Youth and technology related competitions will bring the youngsters energy into the Summit. In addition, DS partners will bring their innovative events during the both days of Summit.

Digital SkillsRoboticsGame JamE-Commerce Digital Economy Cyber Eco-System Digital SkillsRoboticsGame JamE-Commerce Digital Economy Cyber Eco-System Digital SkillsRoboticsGame JamE-Commerce Digital Economy Cyber Eco-System
InfrastructureTechData AnalysisServices Connectivity Trust And Security Youth Creator Economy InfrastructureTechData AnalysisServices Connectivity Trust And Security Youth Creator Economy InfrastructureTechData AnalysisServices Connectivity Trust And Security Youth Creator Economy

Timetable -

Digital Skills

Roberto Santolamazza

Keynote speaker

Director of T2I - Technology Transfer and Innovation Venice

Veronika Tasic Vusurovic

Moderator

Founder at Woozdom

Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska

Panelist

President of Board at Youth Entrepreneurial Service

Ivan Lupic

Panelist

Director of ICTT Solutions for Industry and Society at Ericsson Nikola Tesla

Valentina Radulovic

Panelist

CEO at DigitalBee Edu

Zana Tabaku

Panelist

CEO at Appdec

Digital Skills

Joseph Freidhoff

Keynote speaker

Vice President at Michigan Virtual

Antigona Uka

Moderator

Executive Director at KCDE

Alessandro Brolpito

Panelist

Senior Human Capital Development Expert - Digital Skills and Learning at European Training Foundation

Dukagjin Pupovci

Panelist

Deputy Minister at Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation in Kosovo

Georgi Dimitrov

Panelist

Head of Unit Digital Education at the European Commission

Ivelina Borisova

Panelist

Acting Regional Education Adviser UNICEF

Ruta Zarnauskaite

Panelist

Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

Digital Skills

Time: 15:45 – 16:15 *Awards ceremony of competitions

Digital Skills

Georgi Dimitrov

Keynote speaker

DG EAC, European Commission (TBC)

Redzep Ali Cupi

Panelist

Director, Roma Education Fund

Petrica Dulgheru

Panelist

Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative

Leontina Sandu

Panelist

DG DIGIT, European Commission (TBC)

Valentina Taseva

Panelist

Semos Education, one of the WB Women Entrepreneurs of the Year (TBC)

Nikola Ristic

Panelist

CEO of DP Media (TBC)

Marius Jitea

Facilitator

Digital Skills

Anastas Mishev

Chair

Southeast Europe regional coordinator, GEANT

Fjolla Restelica Ahmeti

Panelists

Head of Project Implementation Unit of KODE Project, implementing KREN

Goran Skvarc

Panelist

CEO Advisor at CARNET

Tryfon Chiotis

Panelist

Head of he GEANT Project Management Office

Digital Economy

Marijana Petrovic

Moderator

SME Policy Index Project Manager

Karim Dahou

Panelist

Deputy Director, OECD Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate

Rozeta Hajdari

Panelist

Minister of Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Kosovo

Vassilis Maragos

Panelist

Head of Unit for Kosovo, DG NEAR, European Commission

Zef Dedaj

Panelist

Acting General Director, Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA)

Anita Richter

Panelist

Acting Head of OECD South East Europe Division

Overview of Immersive Technologies

Austin Grossman

Panelist

Narrative & Game Designer, QXR Studios

Elena Piech

Panelist

Blockchain Strategist, QXR Studios

Digital Economy

From Startup to Scale Up

Paths and metrics to success workshop with Roberto Santolamazza, Director of T2I – Technology

Digital Economy

Opportunities for Nearshoring in the Western Balkans in the Telecommunication and IT-Sector for the German Business Delegation

Trust and security

Ramsés Gallego

Speaker

International Chief Technology Officer, CyberRes at Micro Focus

Blerta Shabani Kroiter

Speaker

Cybersecurity Specialist, Raiffeisen Bank International (Austria)

Teuta Hyseni

Speaker

Senior Security Engineer at Microsoft

DIGITAL ECONOMY

Tatjana Shterjova

Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum - Secretary General

Malgorzata Nikowska

European Commission, DG CONNECT A4 Digital transformation of Industrial Ecosystems - Head of Unit

Lina Konstantinopoulou

Eurochambres - Policy Director

Pranvera Kastrati

Regional Cooperation Council - Coordinator of Common Regional Market & Senior Expert on Economic and Digital Connectivity

Zdravko ILIC

CEFTA – Senior Technical Expert on Trade in Services

Péter Koleszár

Senior ICT Consultant of the HCCI

Gerhard Laga

Servicemanagement and ICT at Austrian Economic Chamber

Simun Buzov

Croatian Chamber of Economy

Cahit Ceren

Industry & SME Policy Manager at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)

David Gielen

Product Owner IHK Digital

Luca Filippi

Deputy Secretary General and Head of Administrative Services Department at Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture of Bolzano

Benefit from the opportunity to learn from reputable representatives from the European Commission, EU member states, RCC, representatives of the Western Balkan countries, International Financial Institutions, renowned experts in the ICT sector, and representatives of the private sector.

Speakers -

News -

Sponsors
and Partners -

Sponsors

Partners of side events

Partners

Accelerating digital skills through industry engagement

This panel shall address the role of the industry and workplace in accelerating opportunities for youth engagement in the ICT sector and development of their digital skills as the ICT Industry of the region is seen as one of the key driving forces of contemporary economic competitiveness which can contribute to positive spillovers to other economic as well as societal sectors as well as to a large variety of innovative approaches. Specific emphasis has been given to regulatory, political and education frameworks. However, the most booming sector of industry is faced with a lack of qualified professionals although many students of the region have been focusing on ICT skills in their academic education.

Keynote speaker:

Roberto Santolamazza, Director of T2I – Technology Transfer and Innovation Venice

 

Moderator:

Veronika Tasic Vusurovic, Founder at Woozdom

 

Panelists:

Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska, President of Board at Youth Entrepreneurial Service

Ivan Lupic, Director of ICTT Solutions for Industry and Society at Ericsson Nikola Tesla

Valentina Radulovic, CEO at DigitalBee Edu

Zana Tabaku, CEO at Appdec

Embracing Digital Education: Reform and Practice

Digital education has come as a result of adapting to the rapid changes in technological environment and the way our children and students learn today. Preparing for effective use of digital education, requires significant investments in legal and technological infrastructure, system reforms, as well as a shift of pedagogical practices to optimize learning through digital modalities. Therefore, this panel shall address the importance of digital learning, equity in access to technology, and showcase examples that embrace digital education and facilitate these efforts.

Keynote speaker:

Joseph Freidhoff, Vice President at Michigan Virtual

 

Moderator:

Antigona Uka, Executive Director at KCDE

                                               

Panelists:

Alessandro Brolpito, Senior Human Capital Development Expert – Digital Skills and Learning at European Training Foundation

Dukagjin Pupovci, Deputy Minister at Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation in Kosovo

Georgi Dimitrov, Head of Unit Digital Education at the European Commission

Ivelina Borisova, Acting Regional Education Adviser UNICEF        

Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

Digital and Inclusive Made Compatible

Event: Digital and Inclusive Made Compatible

 

13.00

Introductory remarks 

Regional Cooperation Council introduces the panel and presents participants

 

13.05

Keynote speech

Mr. Georgi Dimitrov, DG EAC, European Commission (TBC)

 

13.15

Discussion

Very often, mainstreaming agendas, including the digital agenda, are not defined in a way to be all-inclusive. Knowing the challenges, the involvement of the various social groups in promoting, shaping and implementing these agendas will assist the relevant authorities to tailor policies that will include all and be beneficial for all, including Roma, women and youth. The panel will focus on how to address the specific needs of the different social groups in the field of entrepreneurship, digital skills, digital education, etc., while it also aims to present success stories from the region on the benefits of digitalization.

 

  • Digital Education, Redzep Ali Cupi, Roma Education Fund
  • Digital Entrepreneurship, Petrica Dulgheru, Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
  • Impact of digitalisation of public administration for vulnerable groups, Leontina Sandu, DG DIGIT, European Commission (TBC)
  • Digital skills for Women Entrepreneurs, Valentina Taseva, Semos Education, one of the WB Women Entrepreneurs of the Year (TBC)
  • Enabling use of digital skills on Media campaign on Youth Guarantee, Nikola Ristic, DP Media

 

Facilitated by Marius Jitea

 

14.20-14.30

Conclusions and next steps by Regional Cooperation Council

Key to enabling Digital Excellence in the region: (N)RENs

What is a NREN and what these can do for the youth?

Chair: Anastas Mishev, Southeast Europe regional coordinator, GEANT

Panelists:

Fjolla Restelica Ahmeti, Head of Project Implementation Unit of KODE Project, implementing KREN

Goran Skvarc, CEO Advisor at CARNET

Tryfon Chiotis, Head of the GEANT Project Management Office

Host: GEANT

SME Policy Index 2022: Western Balkans and Turkey Publication Launch Meeting

The objective of this meeting will be to present and discuss the key SME Policy Index 2022 assessment findings for Kosovo. To this end the meeting will bring together policymakers from Kosovo who contributed to the assessment, OECD and international experts, as well as representatives from the European Commission.

16:00-16:30 SIGN-IN TO THE MEETING
16:30-16:50 OPENING REMARKS
Moderator:
Ms.Marijana Petrovic, SME Policy Index Project Manager
Mr. Karim Dahou, Deputy Director, OECD Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate
Ms. Rozeta Hajdari, Minister of Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Kosovo
Mr. Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit for Kosovo, DG NEAR, European Commission
16:50-17:35 PRESENTATION OF ASSESSMENT KEY FINDINGS
The SME Policy Index 2022 main findings and recommendations for further improvement will be presented. The session will also zoom in on several areas most relevant for future progress in SME policy making, and provide the related OECD and EU good practices. Presentation by the OECD South East Europe Division Questions and answers
17:35-17:50 ZOOM-IN: GOOD PRACTICES FOR DRIVING FORWARD DIGITAL GOVERNMENT REFORMS
Experts from the OECD Open and Innovative Government Division will present good practices from OECD countries in developing effective institutional and policy frameworks for digital government. Focus will be given to how these good practices can apply to Kosovo. Presentation by the OECD Open and Innovative Government Division Questions and answers
17:50-18:00 CLOSING REMARKS
Mr. Zef Dedaj, Acting General Director, Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA)
Ms. Anita Richter, Acting Head of OECD South East Europe Division

Storytelling with Immersive Technologies Workshop

Host: UNDP & Manifesta14

Event: Storytelling with Immersive Technologies

Place: Centre for Narrative Practice, former Hivzi Sylejmani Library

 

New digital technologies are unlocking the power and potential of storytelling by opening up more inclusive and networked ways of information sharing. Virtual and augmented reality have presented numerous possibilities for changing the way we do journalism, activism, marketing, and different forms of entertainment through its immersive powers. The groundbreaking transmedia QXR studios is leading a 2-day workshop session ‘Storytelling with Immersive Technologies’, covering the ways spatial technologies can be used for storytelling. The event is open to all tech enthusiasts, creatives, multimedia and entertainment professionals, journalists, designers, activists and more.

 

DAY 1: Overview of Immersive Technologies

21 September 2022

 

17:30 – 17:45 Reception

 

17:45 – 18:00 Opening Remarks

Catherine Nichols, Creative Mediator, Manifesta 14

Maria Suokko, Resident Representative, UNDP Kosovo

18:00 – 18:45 Presentation

Austin Grossman, Narrative & Game Designer, QXR Studios

Elena Piech, Blockchain Strategist, QXR Studios

18:45 – 19:00 Coffee/Tea Break

 

19:00 – 20:30 Hands-on practice

 

20:30 – 21:00 Networking

 

DAY 2: Participatory Workshop

22 September 2022

 

17:30 – 18:00 Reception

18:00 – 19:30 Discussion & hands-on practice with AR and motion capture

 

19:00 – 19:15 Coffee/Tea Break

 

19:15 – 20:30 Discussion & hands-on practice with AR and motion capture

 

20:30 – 21:00 Networking

Reception for German Business Delegation - Opportunities for Nearshoring in the Western Balkans in the Telecommunication and IT-Sector for the German Business Delegation

Host: AHK

Inspiring Talks

Speaker: Ramsés Gallego, International Chief Technology Officer, CyberRes at Micro Focus

Topic: Cyber – war and the critical condition the world is going through.

Speaker: Blerta Shabani Kreuter, Cybersecurity Specialist, Raiffeisen Bank International (Austria)

Topic: Cybersecurity in Financial Sector/Banking

Speaker: Teuta Hyseni, Senior Security Engineer at Microsoft

Topic: An ambitious young Enthusiast to a Role Model Security Engineer at Microsoft

EU – WB6 DIGITAL SERVICES ACADEMY

In order to meet the needs of their members, Chambers of Commerce in Western Balkans constantly follow market changes in order to improve the skills of their employees and provide best support to the local businesses.

Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), with the support of European Commission1 and in cooperation with Eurochambres, organizes the Academy on joint challenges for business in the region, with specific focus on European accession perspective and topics of interest for regional cooperation.

In order to strengthen the role that the Chambers of Commerce play as business support providers to local businesses on important matters regarding SME competitiveness, the Action will support exchanges of best practices developed by the Chambers of Commerce in the EU member states and with relevant experts for different services, focusing on digitalized services as a tool and service for companies/customers. The goal of the event is to inspire new positive change and improve environment for doing business.

Day 1 Tuesday, September 20th 2022

by 18:00h – arrival of all participants and check in (Brezovica Hotel & SPA)

 

19:00 – 21:00 Joint networking event and dinner for all participants

Day 2 – Wednesday, September 21st 2022

Sessions are held in the KADARE hall, Brezovica Hotel & SPA

9:00 10:00 Opening remarks

  • Tatjana Shterjova DUSHKOVSKA, Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum – Secretary General
  • Malgorzata NIKOWSKA, European Commission, DG CONNECT A4 Digital transformation of Industrial Ecosystems – Head of Unit
  • Lina KONSTANTINOPOULOU, Eurochambres – Policy Director
  • Pranvera KASTRATI, Regional Cooperation Council – Coordinator of Common Regional Market & Senior Expert on Economic and Digital Connectivity
  • Zdravko ILIC, CEFTA – Senior Technical Expert on Trade in Services

10:00 16:30 Topic: EU and WB6 chambers digital services Moderator: Professor Mirdaim Axhami10:00 11:30 Session 1

  • „Presentation of the Modern Enterprises’ Programme“, Mr Péter KOLESZÁR, Senior ICT Consultant of the HCCI
  • “Best of the digital Services of the Federal Austrian Economic Chamber”, Mr Gerhard LAGA, Servicemanagement and ICT at Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO)

11:30 12:00 Coffee break

12:00 13:30 Session 2

  • „Digital Chamber“ , Mr Simun BUZOV, Croatian Chamber of Economy
  • “Digitalisation Projects of TOBB”, Mr Cahit CEREN, Industry & SME Policy Manager at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)

13:30 15:00 Networking lunch 15:00 16:30 Session 3

  • „eUZweb – The digital solution for certificates of origin and foreign trade documents of the German CCIs“, Mr David GIELEN, Product Owner IHK Digital
  • „e-Invoicing: the best practice of the Chamber of commerce of Bolzano-Bozen“, Mr Luca FILIPPI, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Administrative Services Department at Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture of Bolzano

19:00-21:00 Joint networking event and dinner

Day 3 – Thursday, September 22nd 2022

Sessions are held in the KADARE hall, Brezovica Hotel & SPA Room 1

10:00 14:30 Topic: EU and WB6 chambers digital services Moderator: Professor Mirdaim Axhami10:00 11:30 Session 1

  • „Presentation of the Centre for Digital Transformation for SMEs“, Mr Muhamer NURIDINI Kosovo Chamber of Commerce
  • „Presentation of the Center for Digital Transformation”, Ms Tijana KOLAKOVIC, Center for Digital Transformation Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

11:30 12:00 Coffee break

  • “West Balkan digital Bazar: technical possibilities to integrate into European supply chains”, Mr Johannes HEIDECKER – Advisor to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia
  • „Digital services of Economic Chamber of North Macedonia”, Mr Stevo SERAFIMOV and Mr Blagoj HRISTOV Economic Chamber of North Macedonia
  • „Digital transformation and role of chambers of commerce“, Mr Ognjen BOROVINA Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Moderator – Wrap up and conclusions

15:10 – 16:10 Networking lunch

19:00 – 21:00 Joint networking event and dinner

Day 4 – Friday, September 23rd 2022

Departure of all participants and end of the Academy