Published on:
18
June 2012
Fifteen young leaders from the successor states of the USSR were in Clackmannanshire this week to see how "democracy works" in the Wee County.
The visit was arranged by the John Smith Memorial Trust, established in memory of the late Labour leader. It was largely funded by the UK Ministry of Justice and has the full support of both the British and Scottish Governments.
The Fellows - from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine - were selected through a rigorous interview process which concentrates on their proven leadership qualities and ability to contribute to democratic governance when they return home. Aged largely 28-34, all speak fluent English.
Trust Director Russell Beattie said: "Apart from Holyrood and Westminster, we wanted the Fellows to see how a local authority works and inter-relates with its citizens. Clackmannanshire is ideal for that."
The Fellows started their programme in Bute House, Edinburgh with First Minister Alex Salmond, and will end in Downing Street with Prime Minister David Cameron.
When they arrived in Clackmannanshire last Friday, 15th June, they were officially welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Reid, and the Provost of Clackmannanshire, Councillor Tina Murphy, who presented them with a DVD, depicting the attractions of the Wee County. Mr Beattie also accepted a presentation of the Clackmannanshire crest on a wooden plaque on behalf of the delegation.
Provost Murphy said: "We were delighted to meet our distinguished visitors. They showed tremendous interest in what the Council is doing, particularly in social care, education, business development and environmental services and I hope they can take some of our best practices home with them."
During their visit they also had presentations from Elaine McPherson Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council, Stuart Crickmar, Head of Strategy & Customer Services, Clackmannanshire Council, Jennifer Syme, Clackmannanshire Women's Aid, Elaine McDonagh, Alloa Community House and Malcolm McArdle, Alloa Community Enterprises.
Sir George, who speaks Russian, visits regularly and lived there in 2008-09, and holds both the Pirogov Gold Medal of the USSR and the Medal of Merit of the Russian Federation, said: "I have been working closely for the Trust, primarily in Moldova, for the past five years.
"I took the opportunity to remind the visitors that the founder of the Russian Academy of Sciences was Robert Erskine from Alva, physician to the Tsar Peter the Great."
Veaceslav Driglov from Tiraspol spent an additional two days attached to Clackmannanshire Council during which he studied joined-up services and recycling.
After a week in Scotland the Fellows will conclude their programme in London with presentations on their action plans in their home countries.
Further information is available from the Trust's website: www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org