The forum’s discussions focused on macro-economic policy and privatization strategies, while using the experiences of other Eastern European countries as unique and instructive case studies for creating Serbian economic policies.
The forum helped lay the conceptual foundation for a more inclusive public discourse. The open ended discussions of the experiences of other transition countries enhanced the understanding of the need for privatization, the dangers of privatization done the wrong way, and an emerging consensus behind a “third way” strategy that avoids the pitfalls of shock therapy on the one hand and stagnation on the other.
The discussions forged common ground by giving advocates of shock therapy and skeptics of privatization an appreciation of the risks inherent in each of their strategies. At the close of the dialogue, the exchange of views had helped forge a consensus on an appropriate privatization policy for Serbia.