General Description

From October 12th to 19th, 2013 the Youth Ambassadors Summer Institute (further referred to as YASI more details on: www.yasinstitute.com), in collaboration with the U.S Embassy in Chisinau, will sponsor an intensive seven-day conference, entitled Peace building in Eastern Europe: European conference of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Summer Institute Alumni for young leaders with the aim of exploring issues of frozen conflicts in Europe.

We plan to bring together alumni of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Institute (an exchange program, financed by the US State Department, for young leaders from the US and Europe) and initiate discussion about peace and conflict mediation, while witnessing the real frozen conflict in the Republic of Moldova. The aim of the conference is to foster the participants critical perspective on mediation and peace building processes through active engagement with the subject.

The conference is partnering with: OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe), Moldova State University, Ministry of Youth and Sports and other educational, civic and cultural institutions in Moldova.

A total number of 30 motivated young Alumni from all over Europe and United States will focus on and discuss peace building processes. The questions raised will be, amongst others, how to build bridges between conflicted parties or how to integrate minorities, for instance, in the Moldovan breakaway region Transnistria.

This conference was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State

The conference will be composed of lectures and workshops, interactive panels, open air events and debate sessions moderated by professors, invited speakers and experts. Also part of the program are excursions, such as field trips to the autonomous region of Gagauz-Yeri and to both banks of the Nistru River or study trips to the institutions involved in the mediation of the conflict. The institutions to be visited range from the Moldovan Ministry of Reintegration, OSCE, Tiraspol and media organizations to human rights defenders and NGOs. Participants will have the chance to meet diplomatic representatives of the EU, the USA and the OSCE to Moldova.

Guided by the coordinators and lecturers, the participants will elaborate a specific outcome during and after the conference, for instance: articles, blog posts, radio podcasts, video screenings, vlogs, use of the official hash tag for the event: #bftfinMD etc.

The project will conclude in an interactive simulation of the European Council, where participants will play the role of EU nations discussing their responsibilities in solving frozen conflicts across Europe. The resolution resulting of the simulation will be submitted to relevant institutions as an evaluation of the situation from the point of view of young people in Europe.

This conference was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State

Call for participants

We would like to invite Alumni of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Summer Institute to apply for the conference. Delegates should be proficient in English and between 18 24 years old.

A total amount of two delegates from each country will be allowed to participate in the conference so as to assure equal geographical representation during the conference.

Travel, hotel and per diem

YASI will cover the costs of board and lodging as well as local transportation and activity costs in Moldova during the conference.

Delegates will only need to cover: Travel costs1, Visas (EU, CIS and American citizens are not required to apply for visas for Moldova; more detailed information can be found here: http://www.mfa.gov.md/entry-visas-moldova/) Participation fee of 100 USD (to be paid upon arrival).

Arrivals and departures by plane (Chisinau Airport), bus or train (i.e. from Bucharest or Kiev) are possible. Transportation to and from the airport, bus or train station will be provided by YASI details are to be included in the information package sent to participants prior to the event. Participants should arrive on Saturday, October, 12th and plan to depart on the evening of Saturday, October, 19th or morning of Sunday, October 20th. Participants will be accommodated in the city center of Chisinau, in proximity to the main activity venues.
1

We encourage Alumni to apply for US Embassies Alumni funds in their countries or to seek private scholarship(s) etc. Details about flight fares can be found

available in their countries. YASI will facilitate any technical request, such as official invitations or recommendation letters here:http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/kiv/131012/131019/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-chisinauin-october-2013.html

This conference was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all places are filled.

The

application

deadline

(apply

via

the

online

registration

system:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17bUPJg9rSPJEx1L6l7Eqe_5eGirYIhSffCGjKpguwXE/ viewform) is Friday, August 30th, 2013. As we expect the conference to be a popular event, we kindly encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Priority will be given to participants who are able to afford their travel costs. However, participants with financial needs may be eligible for a limited amount of scholarships that will be reimbursed after the conference.

Contact information:
For any question dont hesitate to contact us on: yasinstitute@gmail.com or host country YASI co-founder, Daniel Voda, voda.daniel@gmail.com +373 69968759

This conference was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State