The Fellowship Programme
What it is
The John Smith Fellowship Programme is an intensive four-week programme on good governance, democracy and social justice. It is aimed at the next generation of leaders in independent republics that were formerly part of the former Soviet Union - young people working in politics, local government or civil society with an established interest in promoting democratic reform and proven ability. Those who complete the Programme are known as 'Fellows'.
The Fellowship Programme is not a short-term scholarship, but a life-changing experience which brings new perspectives, long-term friendships, and a lifetime commitment to good governance.
The Programme lasts for four weeks in the UK and is made up as follows:
- A week in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- An Academic Programme on the political process in a mature democracy: A series of discussions and meetings with senior academics and practitioners combined with visits to illustrate how public policy is made and developed.
- Planning and preparation of "individual action plans" - setting out how insights gained in the UK can be turned into concrete developments applied at home.
- A weekend conference on leadership; providing an opportunity to explore issues of mutual interest and concern with invited guests from the UK.
- Eight days of individual attachments to suitable organisations - for example, "shadowing" a politician, a placement in central government or an NGO, local administration or the media.
- A final week in London during which Fellows present their action plan projects to representatives of the John Smith Memorial Trust and Trust sponsors and friends.
In the following year, a Follow-Up Conference is held to bring all Fellows together to report on their activities and compare progress.
Its Aims
The Programme is designed to show that democracy of the kind that has evolved in the United Kingdom has become a successful tool for securing good governance, for making the Rule of Law effective, for advancing the citizens' human and legal rights, for empowering disadvantaged groups and for giving a voice to those who currently lack political influence. We do not suggest that it is perfect, merely that it works well in our country.
Its Methods
The Fellows are invited to consider how the institutions and practices that they study in the United Kingdom might be adapted for use in their own communities where the traditions and the problems are different.. Above all, the Programme seeks to show that in a true democracy the spirit in which institutions are operated is vitally important.