For its very first edition, the Advanced Programme welcomed 20 participants to Helsinki, Finland from 12-16 March 2018, for an intensive training session entitled "Civic Education for a Society of Citizens".

Participants from the Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Poland were selected on the basis of their experience and motivation to pariticpate in the 5-day Programme. The course seeks to support a new generation of engaged citizens who understand that a sustainable world order depends on their eagerness to cooperate and actively participate in constructive dialogue.

The first day of the session focused on a review and analysis of global issues surrounding the rule of law, well-functioning civic insitutions, human rights, minority rights and sound legal frameworks. Specialist courses included "The Archeology of Civic (Self)-Consciousness", "25 Years of Post-Soviet Russia", "The Enlightenment and its Heroes" and "Universalism and Liberalism in Foreign Policy". 22 internationally renowned speakers from Belarus, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom shared their experiences with the participants.

The following four days consisted of theoretical lectures, practical laboratories and interactive roundtables. As a result of these interactive sessions, participants formulated a series of general directions which will form the basis of specific projects that they will develop over the course of the Programme.

Programme