EU Enlargement: Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Generation
2006 John Smith Memorial Trust Networking Conference
7th-8th April 2006, Chisinau
Twenty John Smith Fellows travelled from seven countries across the Former Soviet Union to take part in the 2006 John Smith Fellowship Networking Conference, held in Chisinau, Moldova on 7th and 8th April. They were joined by Trustee Lord McCluskey and Trust Advisor Lord Dubs, British Ambassador to Moldova John Beyer, former John Smith Fellows based in Chisinau and promising young leaders from across Moldova, all of whom came together to discuss the conference theme of EU Enlargement: Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Generation.
L-R Garik Khachikyan (Armenia), Eugen Burdelinii (Moldova) and Mirlan Djunushev (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 1
HMA to Moldova John Beyer gave a welcome speech to conference participants in which he pledged his 100% support for the John Smith Fellowship Programme. Trustee Lord McCluskey then read a speech on behalf of the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Dr. Marian Lupu, who expressed his hope that Moldova would soon be on its way to EU membership.
HMA John Beyer
Lord Dubs led an international panel to discuss the main theme of the day – EU enlargement and the challenges this will present for neighbouring countries. As Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Enlargement, Lord Dubs spoke of the positive attitude of the United Kingdom towards EU enlargement and his belief that welcoming new members is not just good for those joining, but also for the EU itself. He was joined by 2004 Fellows Oleg Serebrian MP from Moldova, Dr. Luke March from the University of Edinburgh, and 2005 Fellow Alexander Demyanets from Ukraine. This session was followed by a fascinating insight into the Rule of Law by Lord McCluskey who took questions from the floor on subjects as varied as the European Convention on Human Rights, the effectiveness of jury trials and corruption.
L-R 2004 Fellow Oleg Serebrian MP and Lord Dubs
The afternoon session addressed the issue of young people and party political development and was led by 2005 John Smith Fellow Stela Mocan who opened with a quote from Albert Einstein: “you cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it”. The panel also included 2005 Fellows Shahla Ismailova from Azerbaijan, Mykhyalo Nakhod from Ukraine and Levan Metreveli MP from Georgia. Shahla spoke of the problem of discrimination on the basis of political affiliation which often discourages young people from engaging in politics, whilst Mykhyalo felt that at present no youth wing of any political party in the Former Soviet Union is able to influence the political agenda. A lively discussion followed – one participant commented that young people must be able to prove what they have to offer a political party and not expect to be given responsibility automatically, whilst others commented on the problem of nepotism in the political sphere.
L-R Levan Metreveli MP (Georgia), Stela Mocan (Moldova), Shahla Ismailova (Azerbaijan) and Mykhyalo Nakhod (Ukraine)
In his closing remarks, Lord McCluskey pointed out that many political leaders in the UK were once heads of their university political clubs, and this is an area which could be developed in the Former Soviet Union. The conference was followed by a reception hosted by HMA John Beyer at the British Embassy where current and former Fellows were joined by John Smith Trust representatives and other invited guests. Lord McCluskey spoke of the importance of lasting friendships from the Fellowship Programme, and Georgian Fellow Levan Metreveli thanked the Ambassador and the conference organisers for the event.
Reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence
Day 2
The second day of the conference was held at the offices of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and was devoted to the 2005 Fellows’ reports of their progress since taking part in the 2005 Fellowship Programme. There were many success stories to report; among them was that of Ramil Isganderov from Azerbaijan who has recently been elected Chairman of the Azeri Young Lawyers Union which is one of the most influential NGOs in Azerbaijan. Since leaving the UK Ramil has prepared and sent seven applications to the European Court of Human Rights, and the AYLU has recently opened a Human Rights library in Baku.
Ramil Isganderov (Azerbaijan) reporting on his Action Plan at the IRI
Georgian Fellow George Jokhadze has had considerable success in his efforts to reform the Draft Code of Criminal Code which will form the backbone of the new Criminal Justice System in Georgia, in particular with regard to changes minimising pre-trial detention which were adopted in September 2005. Other successes include that of Antonina Santalova who has recently been appointed Country Director of the PEAKS project in Kyrgyzstan, an NGO which aims to provide better quality and accessible education for children. Fellows from Russia spoke of the increasing obstacles they face due to the increased state control over the media and NGOs, but were able to demonstrate substantial successes despite these difficult circumstances.
As a fitting end to the conference, friend of the Trust Alexander Olenic MP and 2005 Fellow Eugen Burdelnii organised a visit to the famous Moldovan wine caves, culminating in Moldovan wine tasting followed by a magnificent banquet and traditional Moldovan dancing.
Lord Dubs thanks Friend of the Trust Alexander Olenic MP for his hospitality at the Milestii Mici wine caves
The 2006 Follow-up Conference in Chisinau was a hugely successful event which was given considerable and favourable coverage on both the regional and national news, as well as in the press. The Conference enabled the 2005 John Smith Fellows to showcase their achievements and provided a forum for Young Leaders to come together to create new cross-border projects which we hope will develop in the future.
Stela Mocan (Moldova) gives an interview at the conference
The John Smith Memorial Trust is enormously grateful to the many organisations and individuals who helped to make this conference such a great success. These include the British Council, the British Embassy in Moldova, the Moldovan Embassy in London, the International Republican Institute, Mr. Alexander Olenic MP, Dr. Marian Lupu MP, the conference speakers and all our John Smith Fellows from Moldova.