This week we are talking to AUBG alum Zhikica (Zach) Pagovski – Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at Foreign Policy magazine with 15 years of experience in institutional partnerships and development for the non-profit sector and conflict zones. He lets us in on his key priorities when forming and maintaining lasting partnerships, and shares his positive vision of the potential of AI to foster democracy and counteract polarization in Eastern Europe.
Tell us one story from your career that taught you a valuable lesson.
Instead of focusing on a single story, I would like to reflect on several important lessons-learned from my 15-year career, focusing on issues related to global affairs work with various governments, international organizations, NGOs and companies. One of the most important lessons I have learned in a career focused on strategic partnerships is that strong, trust-based relationships are the foundation of success. Effective listening is a part of this, and essential to understanding each partner’s goals, challenges, and culture, which could make a significant difference in maintaining fruitful and productive relationships.
I focus on mission-driven partnerships. These collaborations are mutually reinforcing and are the required basis of every successful relationship. I believe that the motor of success is when the various parties share a common vision and goals for the future. Everything else will follow. I focus on open, clear, and consistent communication at every stage of a partnership. I am a firm advocate of transparent discussions about expectations to ensure alignment with my partners.
I feel like a career in managing strategic partnerships is one of constant growth, both personally and professionally. The lessons learned throughout the journey emphasize the importance of relationship-building, negotiation, flexibility, and long-term thinking, all of which contribute to creating sustainable, valuable partnerships that drive success.
What is a key marker about where things are going right now in Eastern Europe that is overlooked and we need to pay closer attention to? What would be a signal for good development – and for things going really badly?
One of the trends in Eastern Europe to pay attention to is the critical role AI plays in both democracy building and combating disinformation. The speed of embracing AI for different purposes in Europe, and even more so Eastern Europe, is much slower than in the U.S. or even China. A way forward is to leverage AI’s capabilities to support transparency, improve decision-making, and ensure the integrity of information in the public sphere.
AI can democratize access to information by providing tools for easy navigation and understanding of large volumes of data. AI technologies can be used to better detect and prevent disinformation, especially by flagging fake news articles, misleading headlines, or manipulated media. Other innovative applications of AI that could be beneficial for Eastern European countries include improving media literacy and promoting government accountability through more efficient data analysis.
Given the fragile election systems in the region, AI technologies can assist in monitoring elections, ensuring fair and transparent voting processes. From analyzing voting patterns to detecting irregularities in vote counting, AI systems can provide insights that help electoral bodies identify and address potential issues before they undermine public confidence in the results.
Through the lens of your line of work, what is one significant but under-discussed trend affecting democracy globally today?
The trend of political polarization happening in countries across the globe is causing significant harm to democracy in a variety of ways. It deeply affects the social, economic, and political fabric of nations, leading to increased division and dysfunction. As polarization increases, citizens may become disillusioned with the political system and less likely to engage in the democratic process. People gravitate toward media outlets that align with their political views, creating “bubbles” where only one side’s perspectives are heard.
Political polarization harms countries by deepening social divisions, stalling democratic processes, fostering extremism, and preventing constructive political discourse. These effects undermine the country’s ability to tackle its most pressing challenges, slowing down economic growth and eroding trust in democratic institutions. To counteract these effects, societies need to prioritize dialogue, mutual understanding, and reform efforts that can bridge divides, foster collaboration, and restore faith in democratic processes.
Who is the one expert/agent/thinker you would recommend people follow closely in order to understand the world better right now and why?
As an employee of Foreign Policy Magazine, I think people should closely follow Ravi Agrawal, our editor-in-chief, because of his insightful, objective, and thought-provoking analysis on global affairs. His writing and commentary provide valuable perspectives for those looking to stay informed about the world and understand complex issues from a deeper, more nuanced and objective angle. Agrawal’s content offers reliable information that helps you stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.
Zhikica (Zach) Pagovski is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Foreign Policy magazine. Before this, he led development and institutional partnerships at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) where he worked to support communities around the globe affected by armed conflicts and wars. Before joining CIVIC, he was the Manager for Strategic Partnerships at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Pagovski is an alum of AUBG, where he double majored in European Studies and Political Science and International Relations.
