User:Polenthusiast/ACIPS

The Association Alumni of the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies (ACIPS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) of experts in the fields of EU integration processes, democracy, human rights, state management and humanitarian affairs, gender studies and religious studies.

ACIPS was founded by Ivan Barbalić and was established in February 2003, as a result of the activities of the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies of the University of Sarajevo, ACIPS is a reflection of the necessity to gather the exquisite intellectual and leadership potential of this institution’s master’s degree holders. The members of ACIPS are active both in the civil society as well as in a variety of governmental, non-governmental and international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region. Among other things, thanks to the wide geographical dispersion of its members, ACIPS successfully implements and coordinates a number of local and international projects.

thumb|left|alt=University of Sarajevo's logo.|The logo for the [[University of Sarajevo.]] One of the main goals of the organization is promotion of its members in the wider society and creation of opportunities for their participation, expertise and impact on the decision-making processes. The primary interest of the organization is the raising public awareness about crucial societal topics and the conducting of research and policy studies. Besides being directly involved in policy creation and research, ACIPS also maintains communication on a regular basis with politicians, B&H citizens, NGO representatives and the media.

ACIPS’ activities are intrinsically connected to the development of B&H society. Our efforts aim for a European-like, coherent society permeated with sustainable and comprehensive patterns of social relations, expectations, values and social habits, conducive to its overall development. ACIPS therefore advocates for a full commitment to European values and their direct and indirect promotion in B&H society. Henceforth, their focus is on the building of B&H social capital in order to achieve high levels of social development.

Mission Statement
One of the main goals of the organization is promotion of educated, young people in the wider society and creation of opportunities for their participation, expertise and impact on the decision-making processes. The primary interest of the organization is the raising public awareness about crucial societal topics and the conducting of research and policy studies.

ACIPS’ long-term strategic goals, set upon its establishment are the following:


 * Identifying the most relevant European integration issues and challenges that B&H is facing today;
 * Achieving high standards of independent policy research applicable in the context of B&H;
 * Disseminating policy research findings and views to relevant stakeholders and the general public and advocating for the implementation of these findings,
 * Establishing dialogue and cooperation with other policy research institutions, governments and civil society organizations in B&H and the wider region.

Members
ACIPS' members include experts from the entire area of South Eastern Europe and beyond. All current and former students of one of five postgraduate programs, coordinated and implemented by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies, can become a member of ACIPS. The latter applies also to all the individuals who have indebted ACIPS by their engagement in the organization's advancement.

Members are regularly informed about ACIPS activities through the organization's official website and also through several internal and external e-groups and forums specialized for different matters which are in focus of ACIPS' interest and activities. Organizational newsletters are released four times a year and is distributed throughout the website and web groups. Members can exchange their visions and suggestions for future activities of ACIPS on regular member meetings and on organization's annual assembly.

Structure
The management team of ACIPS is composed of personnel in charge of research, project implementation, planning and fundraising and public relations. Overall, ACIPS' work and activities are overseen by ACIPS' President.

The work of the organization is controlled by ACIPS' Steering Board, which includes nine voting members, elected by the Assembly.

Besides the core ACIPS team, for most research projects, ACIPS hires external researchers/experts. Until now, around 40 external experts have been engaged. Most of the externally engaged experts are ACIPS members, although there were some collaborators who were not a part of ACIPS' network.

Political Council (POLIS) & the Economic Forum
The Political Council (POLIS) and the Economic Forum have been established as two separate bodies within the organizational structure of ACIPS, in order to represent the voice of the organization towards the general public. POLIS and the Economic Forum monitor everyday events in the country's political, economical and social life by analyzing them and proposing sustainable solutions.

Political Council (POLIS)
POLIS is a permanent body of ACIPS. It was established in order to formulate sound arguments regarding political and social matters, as well as the processes which are relevant to the state and society at large. These arguments are then presented to the public in the form of regular releases. POLIS is consisted of nine members with a one year mandate elected by the Assembly.

Economic Forum
The main mission of the Economic Forum is to conduct thorough analyzes of different economic and social issues, as well as financial and business issues. Furthermore, the Forum implements a number of economic projects and makes expert judgments in regards to the current economic affairs of the country.

Forum for European Integration (FEI)
ACIPS established FEI as a mechanism for monitoring and researching the European integration processes in BiH. The aim of FEI is to monitor the development of the Euro-integration processes in BiH through quality analyzes, as well as to partake in the process itself by connecting the governmental and non-governmental sectors.