Seminars, Conferences and Round Tables

The Association organises seminars, both in Britain and abroad, designed to promote the development of a civil society with democratic institutions. In recent years seminars have covered Parliament, elections, the judicial system, the media, banking, public administration, local government, penal reform, the voluntary sector and non-governmental organisations. The lecturers and discussion group leaders are all experts in their fields and there is a strong emphasis on visits and practical work, including attachments. Most seminars last a week and are limited to 12 participants from the same country. Participants are drawn from leading practitioners in their own countries and are given the opportunity to share the British experience.

In addition the Association organises larger conferences, for example on reconciliation in Bosnia, and runs the regular British/Polish, British/Hungarian and British/Baltic States Round Tables on behalf of the Foreign Office. It also arranges and administers the New Serbia Forum which meets regularly in Budapest to give key participants in Serbian civil society the opportunity to discuss the policies which will be necessary in a future democratic Serbia.

Individual Visits

Study visits in both directions are arranged for individuals or small groups when they can support the development of civil society.

Scholarships and Grants

The Association has some funds to assist individuals or groups, who have already prepared the ground well, to reach their objective. Funds have been given, for example, to the Polish and Romanian Theatres, young scientists, librarians and scholars. But these are small "seed corn" awards and the Association does not finance long term study.

Lectures

There is a monthly lecture programme, mostly devoted to current political issues in Central and Eastern Europe.