A TASTE OF DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Natalia Motili (at her desk in Chisinau)
John Smith Fellowship
Programme Fellow, 2002
Probably, for some people, their image of the United Kingdom
is of people making a ceremony of drinking tea. Without doubt, a person, who has
had the chance to taste tea from the UK - even if only once - will long remain
an admirer. But what is the taste of democracy in the UK?
The John Smith Fellowship Programme, run by the John Smith Memorial Trust, in association with the British Council, can answer this question.
One of the most esteemed politicians of the United Kingdom, John
Smith, was the leader of the British Labour Party. But he was admired not only
by the followers of the Party he lead. He was widely expected to become the next
Prime Minister of the Great Britain; but this expectation was dashed by his
death in May 1994. The Programme, named after John Smith, was created to promote
the ideals, to which he dedicated all his life: democracy, social equity, human
rights.
The John Smith Fellowship Programme, created by the John Smith
Memorial Trust, brought "Fellows" to the United Kingdom for the first time in
1996.. Since then, each year, it has offered to representatives from six
former Soviet Union countries, including Moldova, the opportunity to extend
their knowledge and understanding of the workings of democracy. By means of
sessions and visits to different organisations and institutions in the United
Kingdom, the participants "plunge" into the democratic atmosphere, having the
opportunity to feel it from inside. The Programme provides unrivalled
opportunities to learn about activities of democratic institutions and their
role in developing and strengthening democratic society. The Programme also
enables the John Smith Fellows to observe successful examples of collaboration
between different government levels, and regional co-operation generally. The
Fellows can study, and work closely with, programmes and mechanisms for
providing citizens with the necessary services and for vindicating their human
rights . The Programme does not ignore the problems of the vulnerable categories
of society: these are problems that are not exclusively found in the newly
independent States: they also exist in the developed countries, like the
UK.
Although the main focus of the Programme is experience of the UK, the
exchange of information, experiences and perspectives that takes place among the
participants, from Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine,
has positive effects as well.
The ideal candidates for the Programme are
promising young leaders, working in the political process, government service
(including local government), NGOs with explicit involvement in furthering
democracy, equal rights and social justice, that promote democratic values and
contribute for reduction of poverty level in their countries.
To
participate in this Programme is both an honour and a real responsibility. The
selected candidate represents not only himself, but the whole country, of which
he or she is virtually an unofficial ambassador. The Moldovan participants
gained very pleasant and positive impressions: they hope that they also made a
favourable impression of the new generation of Moldovans.
The Programme offers a 6-week acquaintance with the principles and practices of democracy in a country with secular traditions of democracy. This is achieved through balanced academic and practical modules. The Programme is divided into several stages, the first stage being an introductory week in Scotland. And this is not by chance, because John Smith was a son of Scotland, and Scotland is justly proud of him.
The practical part of the Programme consists of "placements" (or internships), which are carefully tailored to reflect the backgrounds of the Fellows, taking into account requests from the applicants, profiles of their organizations and plans for the future.
Special attention during the Programme is paid to finding out more about the UK mass-media. According to Thomas Jefferson, "information is the currency of democracy" and it is impossible not to explore this area while learning about democracy.
On the final day of the Programme, before leaving the UK, each Fellow of the Programme presents an action plan to the peer colleagues, representatives of the John Smith Memorial Trust and different funding organisations. The action plan of each Fellow comprises initiatives and activities that he/she is planning to implement, either individually or in partnership with new colleagues, on returning home. During the Programme one has impression that the majority of activities in the UK are built on partnerships, in which are involved local authorities, private and non-governmental sectors. According to Nick Raynsford, MP, Minister for Local and Regions, "…local strategic partnerships are ideal forums for improving conditions at the local level…". Partnerships are welcomed and widely supported; there are many schemes for, and examples of, successful co-operation.
But the Programme does not end after 6 weeks. Half a year after returning from the UK the Fellows meet in one of the participant countries to share their experiences of implementing the knowledge that they have gained in the UK during the Programme, and to compare progress in strengthening democratic society in the countries they represent.
The year 2004 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of John Smith. The John Smith Trust organised a series of significant activities to mark this date. A great deal of effort was put into making it possible for the Fellows from different years, including 2004, to meet.
These anniversary events provided an opportunity for the Fellows to develop their professional networks and to discuss ways to organise more effective work in their countries and to participate in major international conferences examining issues of critical importance to their countries.
In 2002, I had the honour to be one of the Fellows of the John Smith Fellowship Programme from Moldova. I can affirm that my visit to the "Old Britain" gave me an opportunity to form a new view on a lot of aspects of democratic governance. Every detail of the Programme convinces participants that the "taste of democracy" is pleasant; but, like tea itself, the taste can be a little bitter at first - it has to mature before one can properly appreciate its true taste.
Early in 2005 new candidates for the John Smith Fellowship Programme 2005 will be selected. This means that several new representatives from Moldova will have a chance to "taste" the democracy of the UK. Let us wish them success!