Dear Participants of the Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen 

The world is grappling with serious economic crisis phenomena. Disturbing news came first from the Far East and than from Russia. It is not only the economy though that is being shaken by dramatic processes: fields close to us as researchers, are also affected. Education, science and research have now been "marketized". And they are unfortunately not marketable products on the armaments market. All this affects us all, and in particular European peace researchers, too since the 'international funds' available to finance research work has been declining for years. However, East-West co-operation, joints action for seeking solution for more urgent challenges emerging from the world and society around us today are more important than ever. 

It is hard to say that lack of financing sources has led very often to the failure our conferences and joint scientific research plans. 

However, the conference held on the 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Westphalia clearly showed that people today long for peace more strongly than ever before. The European Peace Research Association members attended who were there clearly stated that we long for calm and peace, for human life, for an environment on a human scale. But the world, unfortunately, is moving in another direction. The money-driven economy, the financial speculative sphere has broken away from real sphere and ticking like a time bomb over the world economy. 

What is the solution? Is there one at all? If there is, we must find it together. That is the reason why I appreciate very much the efforts of the colleagues of the International Scientific Forum "Danube - River of Cooperation" to create a scientific base for fruitful co-operation. This is also the reason why I am asking on behalf of the European Peace Research Association all the participants and supporters of the conference in this hard period of emerging new conflicts and challenges, not to give up the struggle we are waging for peace and work together to shape a better, finer and more just world. 

In this spirit I greet all participants of the Conference and all those who identify with our aims, plans and hopes. 

I wish you all a very successful conference with a very special greetings to Dr Edita Stojic