'New Challenges in Western Democracies'
2008 Networking Conference
10-11th April 2008 Tbilisi, Georgia
On 10th-11th April 2008, John Smith Fellows from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine travelled to the Georgian capital Tbilisi to take part in the 2008 John Smith Memorial Trust Networking Conference. The international conference brought together a new generation of young leaders and senior figures from the UK to discuss the theme of 'New Challenges in Western Democracies'. Participants looked at the contemporary challenges to democracy such as trust, participation, legitimacy and security, providing guests with the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences when facing these challenges. Our most recent 2007 Fellows were joined by a number of John Smith alumni, Lord Falconer of Thoroton the Trust's new Chairman, Brian Brivati the Trust's new Director, Trustee Lord McCluskey, Joan Borley from the Ministry of Justice, Robert Ness from the British Council and an invited group of young civil society and political leaders from Tbilisi.
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Full Conference Report - Download PDF
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The 2008 Networking Conference allowed the 2007 John Smith Fellows to report on their achievements since completing the Fellowship Programme and provided an opportunity for young leaders in the region to discuss key issues with leading figures in the UK, build relationships, and cooperate on cross-border projects. 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 Georgia and HMA Denis Keefe, Gigi Ugulava, the Ministry of Justice, Sir Charles Pollard, Mr. John Lloyd, the conference panellists and all our John Smith Fellows. Special thanks go to Maka Khurtsidze and the British Council and our Fellows in Tbilisi who welcomed us so warmly to their country.
April 2008