USAID's Bureau for Europe & Eurasia (E&E), through its regionally-based implementing partners, the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and other implementers, has supported a broad range of initiatives over the last several years targeted at developing leadership among young people in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.  Tell a friend about these seminars

2005 Seminar

In October 2005, E&E, in partnership with IRI, NDI and the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) organized a seminar in Macedonia for young political and civic leaders from 15 Eastern European and Eurasian countries designed to build on their collective experiences and initiate a network for the sharing of information, know-how, and best practices.  A key objective of this event was to facilitate a renewed understanding of, and commitment to, democracy among young, politically engaged leaders in the region.  The seminar focused on fostering democratic development, enhancing leadership skills, and strengthening communications among different political parties and community organizations.  One of the tangible results generated by the seminar was the creation of an Internet chat group that has since been used as an open forum, facilitating the communication of young activists from different countries and regions on recent developments of various public policy challenges. 

2006 Seminar

To continue and build upon the progress made at the inaugural 2005 seminar, E&E sought to continue its focus on the development of young leaders by convening a group of approximately 60 talented and energetic young leaders ages 18-30 from a broad range of southeastern European and Eurasian political parties and civic groups for a second, four-day youth leadership seminar, in Chisinau, Moldova from September 25 - 28, 2006.

ACYPL, NDI and IRI organized the event, which was underwritten by USAID.  Participants between the ages of 18 and 30 were drawn from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin opened the seminar with words of encouragement and support, emphasizing the importance of youth action and public service and pointing to Moldova's efforts to develop youth centers nationwide.

The central theme of the 2006 Young Political Leaders Seminar was "engaging youth in the democratic process." The main objectives were to:

• Nurture a future generation of leaders in Eastern Europe and Eurasia and enhance their skills
• Increase youth engagement, participation and awareness in all aspects of public life
• Support the creation of online communities and use other ways to broaden the exchange of knowledge and experience
• To exchange best practices on how to best address public policy issues

The seminar encouraged discussion of public policy challenges and identified concrete strategies to approach them.  A key goal was to build and launch this site to encourage online networking, which was done in three days by the participants with the support of ACYPL.  Workshops during the seminar included media training, coalition-building, fundraising, message building and other areas.

The event concluded with a news conference opened to credentialed media organizations based in Moldova.