Director of the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana prof. Sonja Novak Lukanovic PhD and prof. Miran Komac PhD have spoken with the ANCSEE coordinator dr Goran Basic about the development of cooperation and tasks of the Academic Network. The goals of the Academic Network are providing verified data, impartial analysis and a critical approach to looking at social phenomena that are rooted in ethnicity or have implications for multicultural policies, as well as influencing change and better integration of societies and regions. Pandemics, depopulation and migration are challenges to multiculturalism in the region that require practical action and regional cooperation.