Details

The aim of this initiative is to continue the initiative of a non-partisan Club for learning, professionalisation, discussion and exchange of ideas, started in 2016 to further develop the discussion and public appearance (speaking) skills. Target participants are qualified Belarusian students and young professionals who are interested in center-right ideology and policies as well as committed to the pro-European orientation of Belarus and the core values of European People’s Party: freedom and responsibility, equality and justice, solidarity and subsidiarity, dignity of human life.

During the second year of activities, from March to September 2017, the Club members will enter an intensive workshop cycle which will include, inter alia, monthly workshops and discussion evenings addressing primarily two dimensions:

• the ideological basis of European center-right parties as well as its political, economic and legal underpinnings and implications in different European policy areas, in the framework of liberal democracy and the social market economy;
• European Enlargement and EU’s relations within the frame of the Eastern Partnership (with a special emphasis on EU’s foreign policy towards Belarus).

The goal of this project is to deepen the European idea, to train the group in media work, debate and solid argumentation skills as well as to strengthen the outreach of the discussion club.

Target group and conditions of participation

The initiative is addressed to pro-European-minded Belarusian youth (undergraduates, graduates and post-graduates up to the age of 28) who is ready and able to discuss and lively participate at Club’s events. Since the working language of the seminars and trainings will be English, the participants are expected to demonstrate proficient level of English in both written and oral expression.

Please keep in mind that KAS-Martens Centre Discussion Club 2017 is an initiative spanning a period of five months (March, May – September 2017). Therefore, please make sure, before submitting your application that you are available to travel to Lithuania on the dates listed in the following preliminary schedule. Full-time attendance of all the trainings (1 kick-off event, 4 workshops and discussion evenings) is required from the participants, who will be selected by the organizers on the basis of their experience and motivation.

Indeed, it should be taken into account that the participation in the program will require individual effort and consistent motivation. Only 10 persons will be accepted .

The participation in the program of KAS-Martens Centre Discussion Club doesn’t require payment of any fees. The number of places is therefore limited to the best and successful candidates. Accommodation costs will be covered by the organizers. The participants not resident in Lithuania will receive reimbursement for their travel costs, as well as for the visa fee, if needed.

If you wish to apply for the participation in the KAS-Martens Centre Discussion Club 2017, please fill in the online application form (https://goo.gl/forms/uGIA4ZCW42rXiduH2), including a motivational essay, by February 26th 2017 .

In case of any questions, please contact: info.belarus@kas.de

Preliminary schedule of the KAS-Martens Centre Discussion Club 2017 Program (changes can apply):

• March 17: Club’s Kick-off (Vilnius)
• May 24 - 26: Workshop I (Vilnius)
• June 19 - 21: Workshop II (Kaunas)
• July 10 - 13: Workshop III (Klaipeda)
• September 26-28: Workshop IV (Vilnius)

The seminar receives financial support from the European Parliament. Sole liability rests with the organiser, the European Parliament is not responsible for the activity.

The events are booked out.