Kenneth Munro heads roundtable discussion on Europe attended by John Smith Fellows in Armenia
On 16th January 2007, Kenneth Munro, Deputy Chairman of the John Smith Memorial Trust Advisory Board, travelled to Armenia in order to promote the work of the Trust and to interview applicants for the 2007 Programme. Accompanying Mr. Munro on his trip was Julie Utting, the Trust’s Information Officer. Ken and Julie were welcomed to Yerevan by the British Council, the British Embassy and local John Smith Fellows, all of whom contributed to the organisation of this successful visit.
On Wednesday 17th January, Ken took part in a press conference with local media to talk about the Trust and to answer questions about his visit. Ken began by explaining the role of the Trust and then answered specific questions about the Fellowship Programme.
L-R Karen Bekaryan (European Integration NGO), Manvel Ghumashyan (National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia), Kenneth Munro (JSMT), Interpreter, and Julie Utting (JSMT)
Photo Courtesy of Vahan Stepanyan
Ken then took part in a roundtable discussion. The theme of the discussion was: ‘Leadership as a driving force towards European integration’. Ken, who was Head of the European Commission Office in Edinburgh, started proceedings by giving a talk on the origins of the European Union and how it has developed since its formation as the European Coal and Steel Community after World War II. He spoke about the history of European Union membership and the challenges that the EU has faced.
Kenneth Munro answers questions at the roundtable
Photo Courtesy of Vahan Stepanyan
Ken’s talk was followed by a presentation by Mr. Karen Bekaryan, Chairman of the NGO 'European Integration'. Mr. Bekaryan spoke about the current issues facing the EU such as the Common Foreign Security Policy and about how the concerns facing the EU have changed since the 1940s and 50s. He also spoke about the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and ENP Action Plan, and the EU’s role in the future development of Armenia. Attending the roundtable were local European experts and journalists, and a number of John Smith Fellows including Tigran Mkrtchyan (2006), Artur Tunyan (2006), and Garik Khachikyan (2005). The discussion was moderated by Manvel Ghumashyan, Expert of the Standing Committee on International Relations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.
Karen Bekaryan, Manvel Ghumashyan, Kenneth Munro, Interpreter, and Julie Utting at the roundtable discussion
Photo Courtesy of Vahan Stepanyan
The final two days of the visit were spent interviewing candidates for the 2007 Fellowship Programme. The Trust received a large number of applications from Armenia this year, almost double the number received for the 2006 Programme.
There was also time for Ken and Julie to meet with local Fellows. Levon Martirosyan, Executive Director of the The British Alumni Association of Armenia, kindly invited Ken and Julie to the BAA offices on Friday evening to meet Fellows and other alumni. John Smith Fellows were the driving force behind the creation of the BAA which now has over 150 members. The BAA is a non-profit, membership organisation whose goal is to assist young professionals to best utilise their skills for the benefit of all Armenia. They have established six regional offices and co-operate on many initiatives to speed economic, political and social development in Armenia.
The John Smith Memorial Trust is extremely grateful to all those who helped to organise this visit. Special thanks go to the British Council, the British Embassy, the British Alumni Association and to our John Smith Fellows from Armenia.