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RSI Newsletter: 2 0 1 1 July - August

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RSI News

The President of RSI, Othmar Karas MEP, Vice President of the EPP Group in the European Parliament participated in the annual European Forum at Alpbach (18 August 03 September) that was devoted to global justice and responsibility this year. He gave his contribution as panellist on the further development of the European Union, lobbying as a democratic tool, and the limits of state intervention for a healthy economy and society among other discussions. Szonja Lohr, Education and Training Manager is back to RSI starting from September, after a maternity leave.

Union of the Robert Schuman Institute for Developing Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe

RSI NEWSLETTER
Robert Schuman Institute, Hungary (RSI) H-1123 Budapest, Alkots u 5. Tel.: +36-1-214 1320, 202 0000 Fax: +36-1-201 8985 e-mail: schuman.institute@t-online.hu website: www.schuman-institute.eu

Alumni News
We ask alumni to stay in contact and share any advances in political career or other professional achievements. We also encourage alumni to join and

2011 July - August


CONTENTS RSI News RSI Activities: Effective Communication in Politics: Debating Training How Europe Works: A First-Hand Perspective on EU Institutions Introductory Course Local Self-Government: Step to Efficiency Course 2 Leadership in a Democracy 2011 Course 1 Leadership in a Democracy 2011 Course 2 Rule of Law and Legal Awareness

RSI Activities Effective Communication in Politics: Debating Training 30 June 02 July, Budapest
in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Budapest) They say debate is the oxygen of democracy. We continued our communication skills training series focusing exactly on that, for young party staff and upcoming politicians of EPP parties in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The 18 participants delegated by 12 different parties and organizations from Bosnia-Herzegovina (3), Croatia (1), Hungary (6), FYROMacedonia (1), Moldova (1), Serbia (1), Slovakia (1) and Ukraine (4) were immediately immersed in practice, in two separate groups to make it a relevant and rewarding experience. Our two trainers, Roderik van den Bos and Patricia Wouda both came from the Debate Academy in the Netherlands.

Instead of prescriptions and looking at great examples participants were again learning by doing, most sessions were dedicated to mock debates and personalized feedback. To make sure no factual knowledge or professional background translates into advantage, the most absurd topics have been offered up for debate and allowed for a clear focus on communication techniques or argumentation strategies. Well argued, and effectively destroying opposition, it was possible to win over the jury for colouring drinking water blue or even government financed tractors for every student. There is indeed nothing new under the sun: simple principles of classic Aristotelian rhetoric helped structure effective speeches for policy debate and captivate audience attention, while reflecting individual as well as team performances by jury identified and developed personal weaknesses.

Videotaping speeches for personal feedback

Ethos, logos, pathos: reviewing basics of classic rhetoric

Even at the end of three full and demanding working days an Oxford style debate contest between four groups concluded our training in high spirits. Congratulations again to Olga Budnyk (Batkhyvshchina, Ukraine) on winning the prize of best debater!

English parliament style debate practice, at the Hungarian Parliament

How Europe Works: A First-Hand Perspective on EU Institutions Introductory Course 04 08 July, Budapest
on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Parliament This project of ours combines an introductory course in Budapest that is to be followed by a Brussels field trip to get a view on the practical side of how the EU institutions work. The participants came from sister parties in Southeastern European countries with an EU membership perspective, such as Albania (2), Bosnia-Herzegovina (5), Croatia (2), FYROMacedonia (1), Montenegro (2) and Serbia (4). We approached the subject from the specifically Christian Democratic value basis of European integration, highlighting overarching themes and a sense of direction in the historical development processes. Orientation regarding institutional structures and decision making processes was complemented by expert presentations on procedures at institutions of justice, home transposition and control function of national authorities, the practice of cross-border cooperation on the local level, security and defence cooperation from the viewpoint of a ministry, managing an EU presidency agenda, monetary union in the light of crisis, and accessing EU funds.

Zoltn Bara, former MKP international secretary and RSI alumnus presents the EU membership impact on regional cooperation and civil society in Slovakia

Sessions in the Hungarian Parliament focused on the role of national parliaments following the Lisbon Treaty, party activities on the European level as well as representing youth issues at EU institutions Besides supplying extensive information and supporting materials, we also like to keep trainings interactive and involving for participants

Local Self-Government: Step to Efficiency: Course 2 08 10 July, Bucha (Kiev region), Ukraine
on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Parliament In cooperation with our local partner, the Institute of Political Education (IPO), we also continued the three-day seminars for 34 newly elected local councillors from the southern and eastern part of Ukraine, coming from mid-sized cities and working in opposition in their respective councils. The second event was devoted mainly to issues of municipal property and budget relations at the local level, a regular problem source of councillors. Additionally, participants had a chance to explore the features of effective work of factions, the use of basic tools such as councillors inquires and appeals, and the main principles of cooperation with the media. For a keynote, Kinga Szab, Acting Director of RSI put the topics in a European perspective by information on institutions of the European Union and an overview on decision making procedures in the EU. Back to the Ukrainian scene concrete technical aid was provided on how best to file councillor inquiries and appeals both regarding content and correct form. After the theoretical review each participant had an opportunity to respond to a scenario petition of voters by writing an inquiry or appeal to a selected institution that was subjected to analysis by the trainer and peers. A considerable part of the program was devoted to the presentation of materials related to budgetary operations at the local level, including the regulatory and legal framework, procedure development and approval of local budgets. During the practical exercise all had the opportunity to work with different types of documents and to test themselves on practical examples. Skills development was ensured during mock press conferences, interviews and a press release writing workshop. Further individual input was contributed by IPO experts who gave feedback on homework and also administered tests and questionnaires on participants personality profiles to discuss their strengths and weaknesses, advising on how to work towards improving their professional activity.
Prof. Ivan Lopushynskyi outlined the basic theoretical principles of fiscal policy

Presentation by Anriy Strannikov, Director of IPO, RSI alumnus

Leadership in a Democracy 2011: Course 1 19-24 July, Trakai, Lithuania


on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Parliament RSI launched again a series of two courses for 21 young potential leaders from 9 organisations of the Belarusian democratic opposition. The series was co-organised and conducted in cooperation with the Educatio Institute for Development and Training for the third year now. The first course focused on developing internal capabilities. Value basis and substance of politics comprised the starting point of our training: participants reviewed main political ideologies in Europe, basic values of Christian Democracy and political programmes, discussing how to find a right balance in political, economic and social issues. We further covered issue of developing effective political structures in a democratic framework, structuring communication channels to reach constituents and image building techniques for local politicians.

Algirdas Saudargas MEP of the EPP Group and Member of the EURONEST Delegation addressed the groups on the approach of the EP and the EPP Group towards Belarus. Next to prominent speakers from the host country, Lithuania, our program included contributions by international guests: the Director of IRI Belarus, Head of the KAS office for Belarus, a foreign policy adviser of FIDESZ-Hungarian Civic Union and a city councillor from Kiev, Ukraine.

Our group with Paulius Saudargas (front row, center), the youngest MP of Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats

On their side participants also presented social actions and demonstrations held by their organisations last year for building up democratic awareness in society in Belarus, while RSI Acting Director Kinga Szab reflected on political education as an example of solidarity in the political family of the EPP.

A working dinner with Evaldas Ignatavicius, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Our regular seminar days were complemented by working dinners that provided an opportunity to discuss relevant issues from the perspective of foreign partners belonging to the same political family who engaged with Belarusian issues. Our guests for the occasions included the Deputy Foreign Minister of Lithuania, the Head of Political Section at the embassy of Poland in Belarus, who spoke about the approach of the Polish EU Presidency towards Belarus, and an adviser of the President of Lithuania,

sister organisations on the international level. Examples were provided from FIDESZ in Hungary, the Lithuanian Youth Organisations Council, while Kinga Szab, Acting Director of RSI also introduced the structure and the political mainstreams of the European Peoples Party.

Leadership in a Democracy 2011: Course 2 22 27 August, Trakai, Lithuania


on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Parliament This event was also conducted in co-operation with the Educatio Institute for Development and Training, for the same 21 participants. This time we focused on external capabilities. For a relevant approach Radvile Morkunaite-Mikuleniene, the second youngest MEP, from the EPP Group, delivered the opening presentation on challenges and opportunities for the youth in national and international politics, based on her experiences.

Group picture with Radvile Morkunaite-Mikuleniene MEP and Zsigmond Pernyi, International Secretary of FIDESZ - MPSZ

MEP Radvile Morkunaite-Mikuleniene and MP Rasa Jukneviciene, Minister of Defence Ales Michalevic, former Belarusian presidential candidate in 2010

The following interactive sessions highlighted the significance of international work for a party, the need for well organised structures for this purpose, and the importance of reconciling internal differences of

To make things practical and transferable to real-life politics communication and media relations skills trainings complemented the

discussion of actual topics. These included a talk with Rasa Jukneviciene MP, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, learning from the experiences of Ales Michalevic, candidate of the 2010 presidential elections in Belarus, and Prof.Dr. Egidijus Vareikis MP sharing his views on what lesson he learned from the European integration process of Lithuania and the complexity of decision-making processes on European level.

The main and activating focus was however on ways for defending basic rights and the promotion of awareness. Next to exercises and working group presentations our participants have been also been involved in a simulation game. Over 30 young activists of the organisation took part actively in discussion, workshops and presentations.

Rule of Law and Legal Awareness

18-20 August, Beregovoj (Crimea), Ukraine


on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Parliament The Robert Schuman Institute organised a seminar for Batkivschyna Moloda (All Ukrainian Youth Public Organisation) on the very actual topic rule of law and legal awareness. The agenda of the event has been developed in co-operation with the Centre for Political Studies and Analyses (Kiev) and the Kiev office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Speakers addressed state of the rule of law in Ukraine, the changing Ukrainian constitution and international examples for division of powers and placing checks and balances. For more detailed information on the projects and the concrete programmes please see the Activities menu of our website at www.schuman-institute.eu. You will also find additional pictures at the Photo Gallery feature of the website, and of course our page.

Dear Reader, We thank you for your interest in our activities and projects. Please feel free to contact us with your remarks, comments or suggestions at any time. Former RSI participant Olga Budnyk contributed as speaker this time

Publisher: Kinga Szab, Acting Director of the RSI Editor: Gbor Berczeli, Project Manager Szonja Lohr, Education and Training Manager

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