Press-releases
05.10.2008
Aleksander Kwasniewski, Nino Burdzhanadze, Sergey Glazyev, Arseniy Yatseniuk and other renowned politicians participated in the 2nd YES University
The 2nd YES University, forum of the young political leaders of Europe held in Kyiv on October 2-4, has adjourned its work. The event was organized within the framework of the Program Yalta European Strategy under auspices of Victor Pinchuk Foundation. The objective of the forum is to search for, train and support young pro-European political leaders of Ukraine; to establish contacts between them and their European counterparts; to promote Ukraine and its political future in the European community.
The forum of 2008 brought together about 180 representatives of the youth organizations of three leading political forces of Europe - European People's Party, European socialists and liberals and the young leaders of Ukraine. Ukrainian party was represented by such youth wings of political parties as Union of Youth of Regions of Ukraine, Youth Union of "Our Ukraine", Union of Young Socialists, Ukrainian Students' Union, Motherland the Young, Democratic Alliance, Christian Democratic Youth Union, Young "Rukh", Ukrainian Youth "Sobor", Foundation of Regional Initiatives and others. Nearly 40 participants of the 2nd YES University do not belong to any political organization. These are young people of pro-active life stance who are directly involved in various social initiatives and processes. Overall, young politicians from 28 European countries participated in the forum.
Among the panelists of the 2nd YES University were Mr. Jan Figel, Member of the European Commission for Education, Training, Culture and Youth; Mr. Marek Siwiec, Vice President of the European Parliament; Alexandr Kwasniewski, President of Poland (1995 - 2005); Mr. Adrian Severin, Chairman of Interparliamentary Committee of Ukraine-EU Cooperation; Mr. Charles Tannock, Vice Chairman of Delegation of Interparliamentary Committee of Ukraine-EU Cooperation; Mrs. Nino Burdzhanadze, Chair of Georgian Parliament (2001-2008); Mr. Sergey Glazyev, Director of the New Economy Institute of the State Administration University of Russian Federation and Member of the State Duma of Russian Federation of the 1st (1994-1995) and the 3rd (2000-2003) convocations; Mr. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Mr. Hryhoriy Nemyrya, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European Integration; and Mr. Anatoliy Hrytsenko, the People's Deputy of Ukraine.
The participants held heated debates on the issues crucial for Ukraine and EU, such as global problems of economy and energy sector, new configuration of the European community, current geopolitical situation and information wars, prospects of Ukraine's integration to Europe.
Opening ceremony of the forum was led by Mr. Steven Byers, Member of Parliament, UK, Chairman of the Board of YES; Mr. Mario David, Vice-president of the European People's Party and the YES University founder; and Mr. Victor Pinchuk, founder and Member of the Board of YES.
Addressing the participants of the 2nd YES University with his welcome statement Mr. Steven Byers said: "Availing this wonderful opportunity I would like to greet you at the 2nd YES University as Chairman of the Board of Yalta European Strategy. In September of the last year the forum was held for the first time. The project appeared successful and we decided to pursue this practice. I hope that the forum will be constructive and informative for you. However, the most essential is that we plunge in real debates and deliberations devoted not only to Ukraine or Europe or modern world but oriented primarily to the future. We consider you as the political leaders of the future. Mission of Yalta European Strategy is to gather people who will determine the paths to move forward and this is the reason for us to be here today". Speaking to the young politicians Mr. Mario David, creator of the initiative of the YES University, passed warm greetings from Jose Manuel Barroso who is "extremely interested in the forum work and keeps his finger on the pulse of the processes taking place in this part of the world".
President Victor Yushchenko also greeted participants of the 2nd YES University. Mr. Yuriy Pavlenko, the Minister for Family, Youth and Sport, announced greeting address of the President of Ukraine in his welcome statement: "I extend my sincere greetings to the organizers and participants of the forum staying on the hospitable Ukrainian land! Vigorous development of the global processes in the new millennium, emerging prospects and challenges, necessity of the joint search for timely and efficient responses induce us to boost the dialogue between the masters of our future - young political and public figures, representatives of numerous youth organizations. The 2nd University of Yalta European Strategy provides us with this particular opportunity. I am adamant that your forum will manage to initiate and deepen contacts between the future leaders of Ukraine and EU, contribute to ultimate Europe's unification based on common civilization values and world vision, democracy, freedom and human rights. I wish you fruitful deliberations, inspiration and effective outcome of your activities".
Major attention of participants and mass media was drawn to the plenary session "Are we back to Cold War?". Its panelists were Mr. Charles Tannock, Mrs. Nino Burdzhanadze, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski, Mr. Anatoliy Hrytsenko, and Mr. Sergey Glazyev.
Debating on probable recurrence of the Cold War, the panelists concurred that it would not look like in the late 20th century. More probable, they agreed, is "cold peace" (term coined by Charles Tannock). According to him, there are no pre-requisites for opposition of Russia and the West as the former is committed to develop constructive dialogue with the world, mould positive image for potential investors and enhance its competitiveness amid emerging new strong economies as China or India.
Not less captivating was panel "Media in Information Wars" featuring renowned Ukrainian journalists Mr. Oleksander Martynenko, Mr. Vitaly Portnikov, Mr. Vakhtang Kipiani, Mr. Iskander Khisamov and Mr. Yegor Sobolev. According to the panelists, press freedom should not be restricted. The only restricting factor could be professional journalism standards which ensure proper level of information content. It is freedom and impartiality of press that can guarantee security of the civilized society.
The second day of YES University 2008 was distinguished with Mr. Arseniy Yatseniuk's speech at the plenary session Generation Change in Politics. Chairman of Verkhovna Rada stated about vital and irreversible advent of the new generation of politicians bringing new values to build up the society of the future. In his opinion, nowadays political elite is incapable of giving intense momentum to move forward since it inherited old Soviet system of views. Therefore, there is a need for the new generation of people who would bear responsibility for the future. "Not anyone should become President, not anyone should become Prime Minister but everyone has its chance to realize itself as political elite, business elite, perfect lawyer or prominent politician, doctor or teacher". "However, everyone should seek its ambition: I want to be the best", he said.
Plenary session of the third forum day "What are expectations of the new generation of political leaders?" was also devoted to discussion of the new generation of leaders. Mr. Mykhaylo Vynnytskiy, Head of Post Graduate Department of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, acted as the panelist of the session.
Mr. Adrian Severin, Chairman of the Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation EU-Ukraine, was among the honourable guests of this day presenting his report Ukraine Today - EU Vision.
The plenary sessions were mingled with workshops when all the participants grouped under certain topics, prepared their proposals and reservations to present the results to public.
The participants of the forum had an opportunity to enjoy the cultural program which included introduction of modern Ukrainian movies and visit to the PinchukArtCentre, one of the largest centers of contemporary art in Eastern and Central Europe, which currently displays new exhibition.
