21st Century Cities: How can young leaders improve life in our cities?
2007 John Smith Memorial Trust Networking Conference
13th-14th April 2007, Odessa
On 13th and 14th April, thirty-five John Smith Fellows from the Trust’s seven Fellowship countries took part in the 2007 John Smith Memorial Trust Networking Conference in Odessa, Ukraine, sponsored by Trust supporters Scottish & Newcastle plc. Our most recent, 2006 alumni group was joined by former Fellows from Moldova, Russia and Ukraine, Trustees Lord McCluskey and Professor Peter Frank, John Grogan MP (Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine), Joan Borley of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and an invited group of active young civil society and political leaders from the local Odessa region. They all came together for two days of seminars and reports on the theme of ‘21st Century Cities: how can young leaders improve life in our cities?’
2006 Fellows: Vadim Georgienko (Ukraine), Aida Suiundueva (Kyrgyzstan), Nana Janashia (Georgia), Gela Kvashilava (Georgia), Tabib Huseynov (Azerbaijan)
The conference was opened by HMA Timothy Barrow, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, who joined us for the event. Ambassador Barrow gave a welcome speech to participants in which he spoke of his memories of John Smith and about the importance of the Trust’s work to Ukraine and other countries of the CIS. Lord McCluskey also welcomed guests, describing the Trust’s Fellows as a living memorial to John Smith.
HMA Timothy Barrow Ukrainian alumni with Trust Director Emma MacLennan and
Lord McCluskey
John Grogan and Oleg Radkovskiy MP (member of the Transport & Communications Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament) led the first discussion: ‘Is Public Participation in the Democratic Process Important in our Cities?’ As an active member of parliament representing the city of Leeds, Mr. Grogan spoke of the necessity of civic participation in the development of cities. He cited 2006 Fellow Alex Goncharenko as an excellent example of a young leader who has contributed to city development and as someone who has encouraged others to participate. Mr. Radkovskiy shared these sentiments, commenting that it is impossible to develop a city without the participation of its citizens. He referred to Odessa as the most democratic Ukrainian city, and described the important role that cities have played in the democratic development of Ukraine. Both speakers took questions from the floor. Among others, 2006 Fellow Tabib Huseynov asked the MPs for advice on how to tackle public disinterest in politics. Both MPs expressed concern over this problem and commented that policy choice is crucial in motivating the public; parliamentarians need to address the issues which most concern local people. Joan Borley added that the DCA are currently developing an ‘e-voting strategy’ in the UK to increase youth interest in politics and tackle apathy.
John Grogan MP (left) talks about public participation in the UK, HMA Timothy Barrow, Lord McCluskey, Oleh Radkovskiy MP
This insight into public participation in both Ukrainian and English politics was followed by a panel discussion on Environmental Sustainability. The panel included four John Smith Fellows: Nana Janashia (Georgia 2006), Olya Melen (Ukraine 2004), Denys Bazilevych (Ukraine 2006), and Evgeny Zakablukovsky (Russia 2001). Ukrainian Fellow Olya Melen – winner of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for 2006 - gave an excellent speech on the need for balance between economic development and environmental protection, commenting that the concept is not well known or represented in Ukraine. Olya spoke of the problems preventing this environmental/economic balance from occurring in Ukraine, including corruption, the illegal construction of buildings, the lack of law enforcement, and the economic priorities of the Ukrainian government. She called for a ‘Green Revolution’ in Ukraine driven, in particular, by a new generation of young leaders. Russian Fellow Evgeny Zakablukovsky, who works for Intel as the Russia Community & Regional Government Relations Manager, responded as a representative of the business community. Evgeny gave an overview of Intel’s environmental policies and suggested that pressure needs to be placed on businesses not committed to sustainable development.
JS Fellows Evgeny Zakablukovsky and Olya Melen (left), Henry Ashworth (right)
One of the most thought provoking sessions of the day was provided by Henry Ashworth of the organisation ‘Common Purpose,’ an international leadership organisation that runs programmes for people of all ages, sectors and backgrounds. Henry encouraged the audience to give examples of community members who have provided leadership ‘beyond their authority.’ One 2006 Fellow told guests about Fariz Ismayilzada (selected to take part in the 2007 Fellowship Programme) who set up a road safety project in Azerbaijan because so many close friends of his had been killed in road accidents. Fariz has since submitted a paper of recommendations on road safety to the Ministry of Transport in Azerbaijan, raising government interest in this issue for the first time. Other members of the audience shared their experiences in what proved to be a motivating and inspirational session on different forms of leadership from a variety of backgrounds.
The final panel of the day was led by Vadim Georgienko (Ukraine 2006), Alex Goncharenko (Ukraine 2006), and Lilia Vlasova (Russia 2006). As remarkable young leaders themselves, each spoke on the theme: ‘How can young leaders improve life in our cities?’
2006 Fellows Lilia Vlasova and Alex Goncharenko
Alex spoke of the value of young leaders and the role they play in the growth of cites, whilst Lilia and Vadim shared their positive experiences of working with young people in their respective cites of Nizhni Novgorod and Odessa. After an intense debate with members of the audience, the panel agreed that what is important is that people get involved in their communities, regardless of their age.
In his closing remarks, Lord McCluskey cited the work of Common Purpose as highly relevant to the Fellowship Programme and to the discussions held. He thanked all those who had contributed to the lively debate and interesting dialogue that had taken place. The conference was followed by a reception hosted by HMA Timothy Barrow and the Deputy Mayor of Odessa at the Londonskaya Hotel. Current and former Fellows were joined by John Smith Trust and British Council representatives and other invited guests.
L-R Trust Director Emma MacLennan, Tatiana Fidirko Deputy Mayor of Odessa,
HMA Timothy Barrow, John Grogan MP, Lord McCluskey, Oleh Radkovskiy MP
The second day of the conference was dedicated to the 2006 Fellows’ action plan reports on their progress since taking part in the Fellowship Programme. The 2006 Fellows presented their reports to Trust and British Council representatives, other John Smith alumni, and Joan Borley of the Department of Constitutional Affairs (who chaired the session). One of the highlights was Georgian Fellow Gela Kvashilava’s report. Since taking part in the programme Gela has established the ‘Partnership for Road Safety’ in order to improve road safety and awareness in Georgia. Gela has been successful in campaigning for a number of issues to be addressed by the government including: speed camera installation (more than 200 installed as a result of Gela’s efforts), the setting up of school crossing patrols, and providing patrol police with better equipment. Gela and the Partnership for Road Safety also provide training for schools and teachers on road safety, and are planning many new initiatives for the future.
Armenian Fellow Tigran Mkrtchyan (left) reports on his achievements; Joan Borley (DCA) chairs the Fellows' reporting session (right)
A further success was that of Russian Fellow Lilia Vlasova who has established a new ‘Foundation for Democratic Development.’ The FFDD is a charity working to promote democracy and increase the levels of citizen and specifically youth participation in social initiatives in Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Baku. In May 2007, Lilia and the FFDD will open a regional youth parliament and will organise a conference in autumn 2007 for youth parliaments across the world.
Fellows and alumni also took part in an Alumni Networking Roundtable. The Fellows split into groups to discuss ways in which the Trust can best utilise its networks of talented young leaders. Each group presented their ideas to a panel of Professor Peter Frank, Lord McCluskey, and Joan Borley. The winning group, who came up with a number of original ideas, were presented with an award later that evening.
The winning group receive a prize from Lord McCluskey at the final dinner
The trip concluded with a fascinating sight seeing tour of Odessa – a beautiful and historic city which celebrates its cultural and ethnic diversity. This was followed by a final dinner at the Kurkul Restaurant where those present enjoyed Moldovan wine, Georgian water and wonderful Ukrainian food.
Guests enjoy the final dinner
The 2007 Networking Conference was a huge success, receiving a large amount of media attention in Odessa. The Conference allowed the 2006 John Smith Fellows to demonstrate what they have achieved since taking part in the Fellowship Programme, and provided an opportunity for young leaders in the region to come together to create new cross-border projects.
Ginny Marriott (British Council), 2006 Fellow Alex Goncharenko and HMA Timothy Barrow speak at the press conference
Media attention at the press conference
The John Smith Memorial Trust is extremely grateful to all those who helped to make this conference such a success. These include the British Embassy in Ukraine and HMA Timothy Barrow, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, John Grogan MP, Oleg Radkovskiy MP, the conference panelists and all our John Smith Fellows. Special thanks go to our Odessan Fellows Vadim Georgienko and Alex Goncharenko, the British Council in Odessa and London, the British Embassy in Chisinau, and to the event sponsors Scottish & Newcastle.