Trustee Lord McCluskey travels to Tbilisi to promote 2008 Fellowship Programme
From 15th to 17th October 2007 Lord McCluskey visited Georgia's capital Tbilisi as a guest of the Scottish Football Association. The British Council had arranged a full programme and Lord McCluskey successfully promoted the work of the Trust, encouraging talented young leaders to apply for the 2008 Fellowship Programme.
Among other visits, Lord McCluskey met with representatives from the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, an NGO dedicated to promoting human rights and the rule of law. He also met with the Chairman of the Supreme Court to discuss a possible visit in the autumn of 2008 of a small party of lawyers, led by a senior UK judge, to discuss with judges and other lawyers proposed reforms, ideas for the training of judges and UK systems and procedures that might be adapted to fit Georgian conditions. Lord McCluskey also gave a lecture on “Threats to Democracy”: this was attended by John Smith Fellows, other Alumni and others interested in the John Smith Fellowship Programme.
Lord McCluskey with Fellows and friends of the Trust in Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, he met up with almost all the Fellows who were in town, notably Archil Bakuradze, Levan Ramishvili, Ketevan Khutsishvili, Giorgi Dartsimelia, Tiemuraz Khomeriki, Lina Panteleeva, Besarion Bokhashvili, Levan Metrevell, MP, Nana Janashia, Khatuna Kveselava, Lali Papiashvili, MP, and Rusudan Tushuri. Doina Melnic (2002 Moldova) also joined some events.
Levan Metreveli MP (2005) prepares to attach his silver John Smith badge, presented only to Fellows and close friends of the Trust
Tbilisi was very welcoming to the several thousand Scottish football supporters, who enjoyed themselves until the match started. Lord McCluskey hopes to return for the John Smith Memorial Trust follow-up conference in the Spring of 2008; but does not intend to bring the Scottish Football team with him on that occasion.
The John Smith Memorial Trust would like to thank the British Council and all our Fellows in Georgia who helped to organise this visit.