FMS in Warsaw: working together to build a strong, progressive network in Eastern Europe

Last weekend, the Max van der Stoel Foundation was in Warsaw for a varied programme entirely devoted to international cooperation, democracy and political development.

As co-organisers of the Friends of Eastern Partnership (FoEP) programme, we brought together young progressive activists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. During training sessions, workshops and the regional conference, participants worked on themes such as solidarity, political leadership and strengthening progressive cooperation in the region.

In addition, FMS, on behalf of the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity, sent a fact-finding mission to assess the situation of the Belarusian opposition in exile. During discussions with experts and human rights activists, a clear picture emerged of the current challenges facing the democratic opposition.

The weekend drew to a close at the YES Summer Camp, where FMS organised a session on women’s participation in the Eastern Partnership countries. FMS trainer Bram Joanknecht also led a training session on the debating techniques of the far right in Europe.

Want to find out more? See also the website of our colleagues at FEPS and the Olof Palme Centre, with whom we organised these activities.