V najnovejši epizodi podkasta GOVSI nadaljujemo s temo dezinformacij in informacijske vojne. Tokratni gost je Mykhailo Dankanych, ukrajinski veteran in strokovnjak za boj proti ruskim dezinformacijam, ki opozarja, da se informacijska fronta ne odvija le v Ukrajini, temveč tudi znotraj Evropske unije. V pogovoru z voditeljem Zoranom Potičem gost pojasni, da informacijska vojna ni ločen pojav, temveč del širše kognitivne vojne, katere cilj je širjenje kaosa, nezaupanja in razkrajanje družbene kohezije.

Priče kot najmočnejši odgovor na lažne narative
Dankanych izpostavi, da je eden najbolj učinkovitih načinov boja proti dezinformacijam pogovor z ljudmi, ki so dogodke doživeli na lastni koži. Svoje delo povezuje s projektom To Break the Fake, v okviru katerega zbira pričevanja nekdanjih ukrajinskih vojnih ujetnikov. Po njegovih besedah so prav njihove izkušnje ključne za razumevanje, kako se ruski narativi gradijo in utrjujejo skozi leta.

Ruski narativi v Evropi in tudi v Sloveniji
Gost poudari, da Rusija informacijsko deluje tudi v evropskem medijskem prostoru. Njegova ekipa spremlja medije v različnih državah EU in išče značilne propagandne fraze, ki se ponavljajo v proruskih narativih. Med najnovejše analizirane države uvrščajo tudi Slovenijo, kjer so zaznali več virov, ki širijo ruske dezinformacijske vzorce.

»Dezinformacij ni mogoče premagati — se pa moramo upirati«
Pomembno sporočilo epizode je, da dezinformacij ni mogoče v celoti odpraviti, saj se bodo z razvojem tehnologije in umetne inteligence širile še hitreje. Kljub temu je, kot poudarja Dankanych, ključno vztrajati: izobraževati, preverjati vire in krepiti kritično mišljenje že pri otrocih. Epizodo zaključi s pozivom: »Bodite skeptični.«

Pogovor si lahko ogledate na YouTube kanalu Vlade Republike Slovenije.

[ENGLISH VERSION]

On Disinformation in Russia's War against Ukraine
In the latest episode of the GOVSI podcast our guest is Mykhailo Dankanych, a Ukrainian veteran and expert in countering Russian disinformation, who warns that the information front is not taking place only in Ukraine, but also within the European Union.

In conversation with host Zoran Potič, the guest explains that information warfare is not an isolated phenomenon, but part of a broader cognitive war, aimed at spreading chaos, distrust and undermining social cohesion.

Witnesses as the strongest response to false narratives
Dankanych highlights that one of the most effective ways to fight disinformation is to speak with people who have experienced events first-hand. He connects his work to the project To Break the Fake, through which he collects testimonies from former Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to him, their experiences are essential for understanding how Russian narratives are constructed and reinforced over time.

Russian narratives in Europe—and in Slovenia as well
The guest emphasises that Russia also operates in the European media space. His team monitors media outlets across various EU countries, searching for recurring propaganda phrases that appear in pro-Russian narratives. Among the most recently analysed countries is Slovenia, where they have identified several sources spreading patterns typical of Russian disinformation.

»Disinformation cannot be defeated — but we must resist«
A key message of the episode is that disinformation cannot be completely eliminated, as it will spread even faster with the development of technology and artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, as Dankanych stresses, it is essential to persist: to educate, verify sources and strengthen critical thinking from an early age. He concludes the episode with a simple call: »Be sceptical.«

You can watch the episode on YouTube.

V 32. epizodi GOVSI podkasta je voditeljica Polona Prešeren gostila Simona Anholta, britanskega svetovalca, raziskovalca in avtorja ter utemeljitelja termina nation brand (angleško znamka države). Pogovor v angleškem jeziku je bil posvečen ugledu držav, javnim zaznavam ter strateškemu razmišljanju o tem, kako se države uveljavljajo v mednarodnem okolju.

Anholt je poudaril, da je nacionalna podoba veliko več kot promocija turizma ali odnosi z javnostmi. Gre za področje, ki vključuje ekonomijo, mednarodno pravo, mir in varnost, zgodovino, geografijo in kulturo. Ljudje realnost doživljamo skozi zaznave, zato imajo te enako težo kot dejstva. Raziskave kažejo močno povezanost med podobo države in njenim uspehom pri turizmu, investicijah, izvozu ter diplomaciji.

Analiza skoraj milijarde podatkov v raziskavi Anholt Nation Brands Index kaže, da države z najboljšimi podobami niso nujno najbogatejše ali najmočnejše, temveč tiste, za katere javnost verjame, da pozitivno prispevajo svetu zunaj svojih meja. V tem kontekstu je posebej izpostavil Slovenijo, ki je v zadnji izdaji Good Country Indexa zasedla 8. , Estonija pa 9. mesto, kar je po njegovi oceni izjemen dosežek za tako majhni državi.

V razpravi o znamki I feel Slovenia je Anholt poudaril pomen doslednosti: znamke se ne menja pogosto, ker se javnost nanjo naveže skozi dolgoročno ponavljanje. Logotipi in slogani niso odločilni sami po sebi, temveč so učinkoviti, ko odražajo skupne cilje in avtentično ravnanje države.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju epizode podkasta!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

In the 32nd episode of the GOVSI podcast, hosted by Polona Prešeren, we welcomed Simon Anholt – a British advisor, researcher and author, and the originator of the term nation brand. The conversation, held in English, focused on the reputation of countries, public perceptions, and strategic thinking about how nations establish themselves in the international environment.

Anholt stressed that a country’s image is far more than tourism promotion or public relations. It is a field that encompasses economics, international law, peace and security, history, geography and culture. People experience reality through perceptions, which is why perceptions carry the same weight as facts. Research shows a strong link between a country’s image and its performance in tourism, investment, exports and diplomacy.

An analysis of nearly a billion data points in the Anholt Nation Brands Index shows that countries with the best reputations are not necessarily the richest or most powerful, but those that the public believes contribute positively to the world beyond their borders. In this context, he highlighted Slovenia in particular. In the latest edition of the Good Country Index, Slovenia ranked 8th and Estonia 9th – an outstanding achievement for two such small countries, in his view.

Discussing the I feel Slovenia brand, Anholt underlined the importance of consistency: a brand should not be changed frequently, because the public connects with it through long-term repetition. Logos and slogans are not decisive on their own, but they become effective when they reflect shared goals and authentic national behaviour.

The GOVSI podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and on the YouTube channel of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

V novi epizodi vladnega GOVSI podkasta je finančni minister Klemen Boštjančič spregovoril o sprejetih proračunih za leti 2026 in 2027, ključnih prioritetah vlade ter izvedenih reformah, ki po njegovih besedah krepijo finančno stabilnost in razvoj države.

Minister je izpostavil, da med osrednje prioritete vlade sodijo vlaganja v zdravstvo, izobraževanje, raziskave in stanovanjsko politiko, saj gre za področja, ki so bila v preteklosti povsem zapostavljena. Poudaril je, da vlada vodi vzdržno fiskalno politiko, ki omogoča investicije v dolgoročni razvoj – od gradnje novih fakultet do največjega podatkovnega centra v državi.

Ponosen je, da je vladi uspelo vsako leto doseči dogovor z občinami o povprečnini, letos v višini 835 evrov, ter izvesti nekatere ključne reforme: od reforme plačnega sistema v javnem sektorju do pokojninske reforme in vzpostavitve sistema dolgotrajne oskrbe.

Ob tem je izpostavil, da so tudi zato vse večje bonitetne agencije v zadnjem letu zvišale oceno Slovenije.

Dotaknil se je tudi naraščajočih izdatkov za varnost, ki jih vidi kot nujo v spremenjenih globalnih razmerah, ter razkril, da so mu kitajski vlagatelji ob obisku predlagali izdajo tako imenovane »Luka Dončić obveznice«.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju epizode podkasta!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

Minister Boštjančič: »Investments in knowledge, health and security are investments in the future«

In the latest episode of the government GOVSI podcast, Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič presented the adopted state budgets for 2026 and 2027, the government’s key development priorities and the implemented reforms that contribute to strengthening Slovenia’s financial stability and long-term development.

The Minister underlined that the government’s main priorities include investments in healthcare, education, research and housing policy, as these are areas that had been significantly neglected in the past. He emphasized that the government is pursuing a responsible fiscal policy that enables investments in sustainable development – from the construction of new university faculties to the establishment of the country’s largest data centre.

Minister Boštjančič expressed satisfaction that the government has reached agreements with municipalities on the level of per capita funding (povprečnina) each year of its mandate, amounting to EUR 835 for the next period, and that it has implemented several key reforms, including the public sector pay reform, the pension reform and the introduction of the long-term care system.

He noted that these efforts have also been recognised internationally, as all major credit rating agencies upgraded Slovenia’s rating over the past year, confirming the country’s fiscal stability and credibility.

The Minister also referred to increased security-related expenditures, which he described as a necessity in light of changing global circumstances. During his recent visit to China, he said, investors even suggested issuing a »Luka Dončić bond«, illustrating Slovenia’s growing visibility and positive reputation abroad.

Tune in on your favourite platform to listen or watch the episode of podcast and enjoy the experience!

V najnovejši epizodi vladnega GOVSI podkasta se voditelj Zoran Potič pogovarja z Mario Giovanno Sessa iz organizacije EU DisinfoLab, ki že vrsto let preučuje vpliv dezinformacijskih kampanj in spodbuja krepitve odpornosti proti manipulativnim vsebinam v digitalnem okolju.

Dezinformacije kot orodje vplivanja
Gostja pojasni, da dezinformacije niso zgolj »lažne novice«, temveč premišljeno ustvarjene in razširjene informacije z zlonamernim namenom zavajanja javnosti. Njihov cilj je spodkopavanje zaupanja v demokratične procese, institucije in medsebojno solidarnost. Posebej nevarne so, ker pogosto vsebujejo zrno resnice, ki jim daje prepričljivost.

Ruske kampanje in globalne taktike
V pogovoru se sogovornika dotakneta obsežnih raziskav o ruski dezinformacijski operaciji Doppelgänger, v kateri so bile klonirane spletne strani znanih evropskih medijev, da bi širile proruske narative. Kampanja, ki še vedno traja, kaže, kako prefinjene in organizirane so takšne operacije ter kako težko jih je popolnoma odstraniti iz digitalnega prostora.

Svoboda govora in odgovornost platform
Sessa poudarja, da boj proti dezinformacijam ne pomeni cenzure, temveč zaščito svobode izražanja in pravice do resničnih informacij. »Svoboda govora ni svoboden doseg,« opozarja. Ključno orodje pri tem je Zakon o digitalnih storitvah (angleško Digital Services Act - DSA), ki v Evropski uniji vzpostavlja večjo preglednost in odgovornost spletnih platform.

Potrebna je skupna odpornost
Dezinformacije so postale stalnica sodobnega informacijsko-družbenega okolja, zato jih je treba obravnavati sistematično. Kot pravi gostja, »moramo biti pripravljeni ne le na odzivanje, ampak tudi na predvidevanje groženj.« Pri tem pa je nujno sodelovanje držav, raziskovalnih organizacij, medijev in civilne družbe.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju epizode podkasta!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

In the latest episode of the government GOVSI podcast, host Zoran Potič talks with Maria Giovanna Sessa from EU DisinfoLab, an organization that has been studying the impact of disinformation campaigns for years and promotes building resilience against manipulative content in the digital environment.

The guest explains that disinformation is not merely »fake news« but deliberately created and disseminated information with the malicious intent to mislead the public. Its purpose is to undermine trust in democratic processes, institutions, and mutual solidarity. It is particularly dangerous because it often contains a grain of truth, which makes it more convincing.

The discussion touches on extensive research into the Russian disinformation operation Doppelgänger, in which cloned websites of well-known European media outlets were used to spread pro-Russian narratives. The ongoing campaign illustrates how sophisticated and organized such operations are—and how difficult it is to fully eliminate them from the digital space.

Sessa emphasizes that the fight against disinformation is not censorship, but rather a protection of freedom of expression and the right to truthful information. »Freedom of speech is not free reach,« she notes. A key instrument in this effort is the Digital Services Act (DSA), which strengthens transparency and accountability of online platforms across the European Union.

Disinformation has become a permanent feature of the modern information society, and it must be addressed in a systematic way. As Sessa states, »We must be ready not only to respond to threats, but also to anticipate them.« Achieving this requires close cooperation among governments, research institutions, the media, and civil society.

Tune in on your favourite platform to listen or

V novi epizodi vladnega GOVSI podkasta se voditeljica Petra Bezjak Cirman pogovarja z Marijanom Papežem, dolgoletnim generalnim direktorjem Zavoda za pokojninsko in invalidsko zavarovanje Slovenije (ZPIZ). Tokratni pogovor je namenjen pokojninski reformi, ki jo je Državni zbor potrdil septembra. Ali bo uveljavljena ali ne, pa je odvisno od izida zbiranja podpisov za referendum.

Papež v pogovoru razloži, zakaj nova reforma prinaša dostojnejše pokojnine ter zakaj ne gre za rezanje pravic, temveč za krepitev vzdržnosti sistema in boljše pogoje za upokojence. Meni, da tako ugodne reforme za ljudi ne bomo več dobili. Poudari postopnost uvajanja sprememb, saj se bo upokojitvena starost postopno zviševala, vendar ne tudi delovna doba, ter našteje nekatere ugodnosti, ki čakajo sedanje in prihodnje upokojence v letu 2026. Med ključnimi novostmi so višje invalidske pokojnine, izboljšan odmerni odstotek za starše, zimski dodatek in drugi ukrepi, predvsem za tiste z najnižjimi prejemki.

Po njegovih besedah gre za »najmanj neugodno, celo prijazno reformo«, ki je rezultat dogovora med socialnimi partnerji in sindikati.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju epizode podkasta!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

In the new episode of the GOVSI government podcast, host Petra Bezjak Cirman talks with Marijan Papež, long-time Director General of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZPIZ). The conversation focuses on the pension reform adopted by the National Assembly in September. Whether it will actually be implemented depends on the outcome of the ongoing signature collection for a referendum.

In the episode, Papež explains why the new reform introduces more decent pensions, and why it is not about cutting rights but rather about strengthening the sustainability of the pension system and ensuring better conditions for retirees. He believes that such a favorable reform for people will not happen again.

He highlights the gradual introduction of changes – the retirement age will rise slowly, but the required years of service will not increase – and outlines several benefits that will take effect in 2026, for both current and future pensioners. Among the key improvements are higher disability pensions, an improved calculation rate for parents, a winter allowance, and other measures designed primarily for those with the lowest incomes.

According to Papež, this is the »least unfavorable, even friendly reform«, achieved through agreement between social partners and trade unions.

Tune in on your favourite platform to listen or watch the episode of podcast and enjoy the experience!

Slovenija je članica Nata že več kot dve desetletji, vendar razprave o vlaganjih v obrambo in vlogi zavezništva nikoli niso potihnile. Ob dnevu civilne obrambe je bila gostja podkasta GOVSI predstojnica Katedre za obramboslovje na Fakulteti za družbene vede, dr. Jelena Juvan.

Poudarila je, da je Nato več kot samo vojska, saj članstvo koristi celotni državi: »V Natu je celotna država in od članstva v Natu nima koristi samo vojska, ampak imamo vsi,« je dejala. Po njenem mnenju je varnost temeljni pogoj za normalno delovanje družbe – podobno kot je zdravje za posameznika.

Posebej je izpostavila, da mora biti oboroževanje razumljeno širše: »Oboroževanje je samo eden izmed vidikov krepitve odpornosti. Samo vlaganje v oboroževanje brez krepitve tudi socialne države, kar je temelj Evropske unije oziroma vseh, ki tu živimo, je napačna pot.«

V pogovoru je opozorila tudi na sodobne varnostne grožnje, od kibernetskih napadov do dezinformacijskih kampanj, ter na pomen civilne obrambe in samozaščitnega ravnanja državljanov. Kot je dejala, Slovenija sicer živi v »varnostnem mehurčku«, a prav to je lahko nevarno: »Varnost jemljemo kot nekaj samoumevnega, dokler je ne izgubimo.«

Pogovor je vodila Petra Bezjak Cirman.

*******

Rearmament without a welfare state is the wrong path, warns defense expert Dr. Jelena Juvan

Slovenia has been a NATO member for more than two decades, yet debates about defense spending and the role of the Alliance remain lively. On the occasion of Civil Defense Day, the guest of the GOVSI podcast was Dr. Jelena Juvan, Head of the Defense Studies Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

She emphasized that NATO is more than just the military, since membership benefits the entire country: “In NATO, the whole state is involved, and membership is not only beneficial for the armed forces, but for all of us,” she noted. According to her, security is the fundamental precondition for the normal functioning of society – just as health is for the individual.

Dr. Juvan stressed that rearmament should be understood more broadly: “Rearmament is only one aspect of strengthening resilience. Merely investing in weapons without strengthening the welfare state – which is the foundation of the European Union and all who live here – is the wrong path.”

In the conversation, she also warned about contemporary security threats, from cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns, and underlined the importance of civil defense and citizens’ self-protection. As she put it, Slovenia lives in a kind of “security bubble,” which may be dangerous in itself: “We take security for granted – until we lose it.”

The conversation was hosted by Petra Bezjak Cirman.

Slovenija se sooča z eno največjih stanovanjskih kriz doslej: mladi ostajajo pri starših, cene stanovanj in najemnin strmo rastejo, javnih najemnih stanovanj je premalo. Ministrstvo za solidarno prihodnost se je zato sistematično lotilo stanovanjske politike. Kot je v GOVSI podkastu povedal državni sekretar, država vsako leto namenja 100 milijonov evrov za gradnjo novih javnih najemnih stanovanj.

Državni sekretar Klemen Ploštajner je v pogovoru z voditeljico GOVSI podkasta Petro Prešeren Golob poudaril, da je v zadnjem desetletju nastal ogromen razkorak med ponudbo in povpraševanjem. Da se na srednji in dolgi rok ponovno vzpostavi ravnovesje, bo država občinam in stanovanjskim skladom dolgoročno zagotovila stabilen finančni okvir, kar jim bo omogočilo načrtno pripravo projektov. Poleg tega država sistematično pregleduje in aktivira javna zemljišča, da bi na ta način pospešila gradnjo. Do leta 2035 bo zgrajenih kar 20.000 javnih najemnih stanovanj.

Javna najemna stanovanja bodo namenjena širokemu krogu prebivalcev – mladim, družinam, zaposlenim v ključnih poklicih ter starejšim, ki potrebujejo prilagojena oskrbovana stanovanja. Najemnine bodo ostale bistveno nižje od tržnih, hkrati pa bo država za najbolj ranljive skupine prebivalstva še naprej zagotavljala subvencijo najemnine.

»Stanovanje ne more biti privilegij, ampak je temeljna pravica,« je dejal Ploštajner. Do leta 2035 naj bi v javnih najemnih stanovanjih živelo približno 150 tisoč ljudi, kar bo pomenilo pomemben premik k bolj dostopnemu in pravičnemu stanovanjskemu sistemu.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju zadnje epizode vladnega podkasta.

[ENGLISH VERSION]

Housing policy with new momentum: €100 million annually for public rental housing

Slovenia is facing a severe housing crises: young people are living longer at their parents’ homes, housing prices and rents are soaring, and public rental housing is scarce. The Ministry for a Solidary Future has systematically addressed housing policy. As State Secretary in the GOVSI podcast, the government is investing €100 million each year in the construction of new public rental apartments.

State Secretary Klemen Ploštajner talked to the host of GOVSI podcast Petra Prešeren Golob and emphasized that in the past decade a massive gap has emerged between supply and demand. To restore balance in the medium and long term, the state will provide municipalities and housing funds with a predictable long-term financial framework, enabling them to plan projects more effectively. In addition, the government is systematically reviewing and activating public land to accelerate construction. By 2035, as many as 20,000 will be built.

Public rental housing will be available to a wide range of residents – young people, families, employees in essential professions, and the elderly who need adapted assisted-living apartments. Rents will remain significantly lower than market rates, while subsidies will continue to be available for the most vulnerable groups.

“Housing must not be a privilege but a fundamental right,” Ploštajner stated. By 2035, around 150,000 people are expected to live in public rental housing, marking an important step towards a more accessible and fair housing system.

Tune in on your favourite platform to listen or watch the episode of podcast and enjoy the experience!

V 26. epizodi GOVSI podkasta Zoran Potič gosti Petra Grka, dolgoletnega sekretarja Blejskega strateškega foruma in diplomata, ki že več kot desetletje soustvarja enega najvidnejših slovenskih zunanjepolitičnih dogodkov.

Grk je uvodoma poudaril, da se je zunanja politika v zadnjih letih »vrnila skozi velika vrata« v vsakdanje življenje Evropejcev – bodisi skozi posledice vojn, geopolitičnih preobratov ali podnebnih kriz. Blejski strateški forum v takem kontekstu predstavlja ključen prostor za dialog, izmenjavo pogledov in iskanje odgovorov na kompleksna globalna vprašanja. Glavno poslanstvo foruma je ustvarjati okolje, kjer se akterji z različnimi pogledi slišijo in ne zgolj govorijo mimo drug drugega.

Forum se je razvil iz diplomacije po predsedovanju Organizaciji za varnost in sodelovanje v Evropi leta 2005, prva izvedba pa je bila namenjena Južnemu Kavkazu. Skozi leta je forum zrasel iz dogodka z nekaj sto udeleženci v relevantno mednarodno platformo. Eden ključnih premikov v njegovi zgodovini je bil prispevek k razpravi o vodni varnosti, ki je s panelne razprave v Bledu vplival celo na program ZN Vrh o vodi – dokaz, da lahko majhen dogodek prispeva k velikim premikom.

Grk je poudaril pomen vključenosti mladih, saj so nekateri nekdanji udeleženci mladinskega strateškega foruma kasneje postali ministri, celo premierji. Letošnja 20. izvedba foruma bo nosila naslov Pobegli svet. Kot pravi Grk, gre za razmislek o tem, kam se svet premika – in predvsem, ali Evropa zmore ta tektonski premik razumeti, se nanj odzvati in se mu prilagoditi.

Ob 20-letnici foruma se bodo odpirale teme, kot so evropska obramba, tehnološka in energetska avtonomija, boj proti dezinformacijam, podnebne spremembe in vprašanje evropske identitete.

Vabljeni k poslušanju in ogledu!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

Bled Strategic Forum 2025: A Runaway World

The 26th episode of the GOVSI podcast features Zoran Potič talking with Peter Grk, long-time Secretary General of the Bled Strategic Forum and seasoned diplomat, who has been shaping the forum for over a decade.

Grk began by emphasizing that foreign policy has, in recent years, re-entered the daily lives of Europeans—whether through the consequences of war, geopolitical upheavals, or climate crises. In this context, the Bled Strategic Forum serves as a crucial platform for dialogue, exchanging viewpoints, and seeking responses to complex global challenges. According to Grk, the forum’s core mission is to foster an environment where diverse actors actually listen to one another—not just talk past each other.

Originally launched following Slovenia’s 2005 OSCE Chairmanship, the first edition of the Bled Strategic Forum focused on the South Caucasus. Since then, the forum has grown from a small event of a few hundred participants into an internationally relevant platform. One of its most notable milestones was its contribution to the global water security debate, which started with a modest panel in Bled and eventually influenced the agenda of the UN Water Conference.

Grk also highlighted the growing inclusion of youth voices. Several participants of the Bled Youth Strategic Forum have gone on to become ministers and even prime ministers. This year’s 20th edition of the Bled Strategic Forum carries the title The Runaway World. Grk explains that the forum will examine the notion of a world drifting away—from Western influence and values—and the urgent question of whether Europe can still adapt, respond, and remain resilient amid these tectonic changes.

The agenda will tackle critical topics such as European defence, technological and energy autonomy, disinformation, cyber security, climate change, and perhaps most importantly, the question of European identity. The forum can be followed live and across social media.

Tune in and watch!