The EESPS was set up in 2007 and 169 people have participated in its activities since its creation. The EESPS community consists of scholars, politicians, social activists, journalists, businessmen and young leaders, who today already influence the decision-making processes in Belarus. Almost half of the EESPS community took part in the Alumni Conference which was organised under the motto “Leadership and Cooperation for the Benefit of Belarus”.

The Conference focused on the issue of raising awareness within, and consolidation of, the EESPS Community. Discussions were organised in an ‘open space’ format, where alumni discussed “How they can develop and reinforce the community?” and “How can the community contribute to their development?”

Participants came up with a number of interesting ideas and projects which have provided the newly elected EESPS Council with the food for thought and strategic planning on how to develop the alumni community.

The following experts contributed to the work of the Alumni Conference: Dr. Leonid Zaika (Minsk, Belarus), Chairman of the Board of the EESPS Advisory Council, Head of the analytical center "Strategy" ; Dr. Kiryl Koktysh (Moscow, Russia), member of the Board of the Advisory Council, Associate Professor of MGIMO University; and other member of the Board of the Advisory Council. Dr. Yuliya Salnikava (Minsk, Belarus), member of the Association of Consultants and Trainers organised and led the discussion in the open space format.

The interactive speech by Mr. Pavol Demes, Transatlantic fellow, German Marshall Fund, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovak Republic, on the “Role and Responsibility of Young Leaders in the Development of the Country” was particularly interesting and inspiring for the participants. The speaker focused on ways to improve leadership qualities and personal development. His presentation was followed by a question and answer session with the participants.

On the final day of the Conference, the alumni met with the 2013 intake of the EESPS. After a welcome speech from each promotion, ten working groups were created to prepare five recommendations each on how to get the most from being an EESPS participant. The banners listing the recommendations have been left on the walls for the new entrants during their first session.

The Conference ended with a discussion on “How Young Leaders Can Help Belarus to Enter the Council of Europe”, in which the experts, alumni and new students of EESPS took active part. The conclusion that Belarus is the main entity responsible for overcoming its self-isolation was enriched with ideas and proposals on what should be changed to make it possible for the country to return to the family of civilized countries.

In the near future the Council of the EESPS Alumni is going to plan a further activity for the EESPS Community which should enable the alumni to meet at annual summer gatherings as well as at thematic meetings which will consider the questions and proposals generated during the Alumni Conference.

The EESPS expresses its sincere gratitude to the Council of Europe and to the Government of Romania who supported the EESPS Alumni Conference.

By The East-European School of Political Studies.

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