The John Smith Memorial Trust
The John Smith Memorial Trust was formed in 1996 to provide a permanent memorial to one of Britain's best-loved politicians, who died suddenly in May 1994. Less than two years into the leadership of the Labour Party when he died, John Smith was held in high affection by many within and outside the Labour Party, not least because of the obvious sincerity with which he promoted the ideals of democracy, social justice and good governance.
The aim of the Trust is to honour him by promoting the ideals that he held dear. The Trust is a registered Charity, not a party-political organisation; we have active support from all the major parties in the UK, and from many people and groups who are not active in politics. We have an open door to Fellows from all political backgrounds in the countries where we operate.
The Trust established the John Smith Fellowship Programme also in 1996. It is aimed at the next generation of leaders in a number of the independent republics that were previously part of the Soviet Union - young people of proven ability and real attainments, regardless of their political background.
The Programme is designed to introduce young future leaders to the institutions and practices of democracy as they have evolved over time in the United Kingdom. It seeks to show how a mature democracy supports and develops good governance, the Rule of Law and the vindication of human and legal rights. It also shows how our form of democracy fosters and supports voluntary and other non-governmental organisations that seek to secure the relief of poverty, to empower disadvantaged groups and to give a voice to those who currently lack political influence. We do not attempt to indoctrinate the Fellows: we seek only to help them to choose the models that will work in their own societies.
