This month we welcome regional leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine to a study and placements programme that aims to strengthen and deepen democratic awareness.  The 22 fellows will spend six weeks in the UK on a programme that includes a two-week residential course provided by the Centre for Studies in Security and Diplomacy, University of Birmingham; a weekend conference on media regulation and freedom; a two-week individual attachment to organisations relevant to each fellow’s background, interest and action plans; and one week of professional appointments in London.

The programme begins in Edinburgh and events in Scotland include:

• a workshop of Confidence and Leadership
• a business presentation by Scottish & Newcastle
• discussions and a workshop the office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
• a tour of HM Prison Edinburgh
• a visit to the Scottish Parliament, where fellows will meet George Reid, the Presiding Officer, and the First Minister, Jack McConnell, and a Cross-Party group of MSPs.

Attachment hosts this year include the Scottish Human Rights Centre and the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh.  In addition, a fellow based with the advocacy group One World Action will visit Scotland as part of her placement.

This year’s fellows represent a wide range of political and social institutions, as well as civil society and the media.  The programme brings them together to observe and discuss the workings of democratic organisations and their role within a democratic society.  It covers the following broad subject areas:

• UK governance and democracy: How central government, the Scottish Parliament, the devolved assemblies and local government work and how they are held to account
• Insights into the values systems, regulations and working practices that make political institutions function effectively
• The role, regulation and influence of civil society in the political process – including the media, non-governmental bodies and business interests
• Human Rights: How individual and collective rights are protected
• Social inclusion: Ensuring that the voices and interests of poor and disadvantaged groups are heard in the political process, and that effective anti-poverty strategies are developed

At the conclusion of the fellowship, the participants will be expected to devise reforms and innovations that could be introduced in their own places of work. They will give presentations of their conclusions to the Trustees at 11 Downing Street.

The John Smith Fellowship Programme is a partnership between the John Smith Memorial Trust, the British Council and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), who provide core funding.

For details of the Fellows’ Programme in Scotland, email Charlotte Ball, Visits Coordinator or Tel: + 44 (0) 131 524 5700