Futures of Democracy in the Eastern Partnership: Open Society Foundations Alumni Perspectives

Following the recent Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, up to 100 Scholarship Programs alumni and current grantees will meet at the Central European University in Budapest to examine questions of integration, economic development, rights, and democratic participation in the region.

Organized in collaboration with the CEU’s School of Public Policy, the Futures of Democracy: Research and Policy Perspectives from Eastern European Neighborhood Countries conference will act as a forum for alumni-led debate and critical inquiry into the issues facing Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Scholarship Programs alumni from these six countries represent a unique network of over 2,000 professionals, academics, activists, and public servants. Often committed to furthering the aims of open society within their own environments, this network is an important resource for development and social change.

The conference includes sessions on politics and participation in the Eastern Partnership, challenges for inclusive socio-economic development, as well as workshops on skills for activating social change. It will conclude with a platform for alumni to discuss their collective recommendations and plans for future action.

Over 40 alumni participants will act as facilitators, presenters, and rapporteurs during the conference, alongside leading commentators in the field including:

• Ivan Krastev, Centre for Liberal Studies, Sofia
• Orysia Lutsevych, Chatham House, London
• Jordi Vaquer, Open Society Initiative for Europe, Barcelona
• Svitlana Zalishchuk, New Citizen, Kiev
• Gledis Gjipali, European Movement Albania, Tirana
• Iryna Solonenko, Eastern Partnership Index
• Vugar Bayramov, Center for Economic and Social Development, Baku
• Koba Turmanidze, Caucasus Research Resources Centers, Tbilisi
• Anastasia Danilova, GENDERDOC-M, Chisinau
• Kristof Varga, Open Society Foundations, Central European University Liaison Office
• Andrej Nosko, Think Tank Fund
• Wolfgang Reinicke, Dean, School of Public Policy, Central European University
• Martha Loerke, Director, Open Society Foundations Scholarship Programs

RSVP

Please RSVP for the conference by email to thomas.wilson@opensocietyfoundations.org.