September 2010
Trustee Baroness Smith launches 2011 John Smith Fellowship Programme
In September 2010 Baroness Smith led a Trust delegation to Russia in order to launch recruitment for the 2011 John Smith Fellowship Programme. Baroness Smith and Trustee Dennis Sammut OBE were first welcomed to Novosibirsk, the largest city of Siberia, by 2007 John Smith Fellow Maxim Chereshnev (pictured below). Their visit coincided with the International Youth Innovation Forum ‘Interra’ - a meeting of over 2000 participants and experts from 35 countries. The Interra Forum is one of the largest events of its kind, providing a space for young people and experts to formulate new innovative policies in the economic, political and social spheres. During the three day conference, more than 200 events took place at venues in Novosibirsk and Academgorodok.
2007 Fellow Maxim Chereshnev welcomes Baroness Smith to the second annual Interra Conference
Whilst in Novosibirsk, Baroness Smith conducted a press conference (pictured below) with local media representatives to talk about the work of the Trust and to disseminate information about the application process for the 2011 Fellowship Programme. The John Smith Memorial Trust is currently seeking applications from high-flying and influential young leaders who will make a substantial impact on the future development of their countries. The Fellowship Programme is open to those working in politics, local administration, business, media, the law and civil society. Further information can be obtained from the Trust's website: 2011 Fellowship Programme - How to Apply
Trustees Baroness Smith and Dennis Sammut OBE launch the application process in Siberia
The Trust delegation departed Novosibirsk to travel to Moscow where they were met by Trust Director Professor Brian Brivati to further promote the 2011 Fellowship Programme in the Russian capital. Alongside promotion of the existing John Smith Fellowship, the Trust also met with various partners to inform them about progress being made on the foundation of a new Russian NGO and UK-to-Russia Fellowship.
Trust representatives meet in the Russian State Duma with a delegation from the Just Russia party
In Moscow, the Trust met with key representatives of Russian politics, business and civil society. On the political side, the delegation was hosted by the Just Russia party, including leading members Elena Vtorgina MP, Valentina Levicheva and Tatiana Moskalkova MP. Later, they met with Yuri Kotler, co-ordinator of the Cadre Reserve Civil Service project. Baroness Smith and Professor Brivati were also kindly received by the new deputy head of the British Embassy in Russia, Dennis Keefe.
In the business world, they held meetings with Trust supporters, most prominently the Russia-British Chamber of Commerce, Clifford Chance and White & Case. They were also shown round the exciting new Skolkovo Business School in West Moscow, discussing possible cooperation with the centre for the new UK-to-Russia Fellowship. They were also pleased to be involved in productive meetings with representatives of the Donors’ Forum and Vladimir Potanin Foundation.
Photos courtesy of the Siberian International Innovative Business Congress and Lilia Vlasova