Two decades of democracy and sustainable development in Central and Eastern Europe"

19/09/2011

Between 15 to 18 September 2011 in Prague, Czech Republic, the first meeting of the Council of the European Democrat Students (EDS) - the student organization of the European People's Party - was held. The event was attended by 60 delegates from 26 political youth organizations as well as guests from EDS. Representatives of MGERB were Kalin Zahariev, deputy international secretary of MGERB and Vice President of EDS, and Borislav Iliev, coordinator of MGERB Pleven.

The first day of the event began with a panel discussion, which was held at a local technical university. Guest lecturer was the Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic, Mr. Tomash Chalupa. There were discussed main measures in environmental protection in the Czech Republic and also linking economic growth with environmental protection. The second panel was held with the participation of Mrs. Ruth Bijkova, former Deputy Minister of Environment. The focus of the discussion was Prague and measures for better environment. The third guest speaker was Dana Drabova, expert from the State Office for Nuclear Safety. The focus of the topic was put on the future of nuclear energy after the crisis in Japan and Germany's decision to reduce significantly the production of electricity from nuclear power plants. The fourth and last topic of the day was associated with the diversification of energy resources. The lecturer, Mr. Jan Bauer, Chairman of the Committee for European Affairs presented a strategy for diversification of the Czech Republic.

On the next day of the event, after two morning discussion, there were held the first sessions of the three permanent working groups of European students Democrats. They all discussed the draft resolution "Two decades of democracy and sustainable development in Central and Eastern Europe" which was written by MGERB. The afternoon sessions of the working groups took place in discussion and amendment of other materials provided to voting for second time by the Board of EDS. In the working group "Higher education and science," Kalin Zahariev presented a project for collecting and analyzing data in the field of higher education in the EU. The project aimed to provide topics for the work of EDS, based on facts and analyze on the current state of the sector. The idea for the project came from MGERB.

Later in the day, separate from the sessions, the meeting of the Bureau of EDS was held. In a format of President, Secretary and Deputy Presidents there were discussed organizational issues for future events, current activities, and other issues. It became clear that resolution of EDS for the financing of higher education during the financial crisis, written on material from MGERB, was adopted as an official position of the EPP. It was expected in the near future that amendments from MGERB to the draft of political platform of EPP would be adopted. They were related to the inclusion of a new chapter in the document connected with student and youth issues as a priority of the EPP.

During the last day started a working session on the adoption of resolution "Two decades of democracy and sustainable development in Central and Eastern Europe." The discussion was led by Kalin Zahariev and at the end of the session it was adopted unanimously.

After that the meeting of the Council of EDS began. The agenda included reports of the President, Vice Presidents, report to the budget of EDS, organizational and other issues.