THE WORLD PLURALISTS MET IN BAKU

The 18 th Meeting of the Pluralism Centers Network took place in Baku on 4-6 April, 2003 with organization of the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE) and the Center for Pluralism "Inam". (In 1997 Inam organized 9 th Meeting of the Network in Baku). Over 60 public figures, political leaders, journalists, law defenders and NGO representatives participated at the measure which was coinciding with 10 th anniversary of the Network from 25 countries of the US, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Director of the Center for Pluralism "Inam" made an opening speech at the 18 th Meeting of the Pluralism Centers Network. After greeting the guests he spoke about the reasons of holding the 18 th Conference of the Network: "From geographical point of view Azerbaijan is the country situated between the East and the West, from ethnic point it is the country of Turks, from geopolitical point of view it is half democratic country situated between democratic Europe and authoritarian Asia. The conduct of the measure in Azerbaijan, namely on the eve of the elections, is significant from several points".

After then another organizer of the measure, president of the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE) Irena Lasota making a speech informed about 10 years activity of the Network. Irena Lasota telling that "While setting up the Network I couldn't imagine that it could cover such a great place" spoke about the goal and intention of the Pluralism Centers to realize mutual programs, to hold exchange of information and experience between organizations, to create condition for development of democracy and civil values in the region.

Lectures of the chairperson of Georgian Republican Party David Berdzenishvili, chairman of Musavat Party Isa Gambar and director of Kirghizistan Citizens Assembly against Corruption Tolekan Ismailova who made speeches at the first session under title "Is democracy possible in Central Asia and the Caucasus?" of the conference caused wide discussions. At the second session "Old and new dangers of democracy" leader of Serbia Citizens Initiatives Center Milenko Dereta, chairman of Romanian Apador-Helsinki Committee Gabriel Andreezy, director of News Agency "Prima" of Russia Aleksandr Podrabinyok read lectures on the theme which caused serious discussions.

The third session "How democracy could be defended?" took place at the second day of the conference. Leader of Romanian "League Pro Europe" Imaranda Enachenin, head of the Crimea Tatars Mejlis of the Ukraine, member of the Supreme Rada of the Ukraine, famous dissident Mustafa Krimo0gluy Jamilov, director of Cooperation and Development Center of Georgia Ivlian Haindrava and leader of Kosovo Civic Initiatives Movement Ylber Hysa made speeches related the theme. After the lectures, as continuation of the session, the participants were divided into groups and within the groups they continued discussions around such themes as "Training today's and future generation", "Organization and community construction", "Setting up a legal system corresponding to democracy", "Rights of national minorities and how to prevent ethnic conflicts".

Member of Poland Seym, senator Zbignev Romashevsky read a lecture titled "Opposition's policy, coalitions and victory" at the next session. After then the participants were again divided into groups and discussed such problems as "NGO and elections", "Monitoring and elections", "Media and elections", "Legal obstacles". On the same day a special session "The world's events and their influence on the region" was completed.

The 10 years history of the Network, the events took place at post communist period was the theme of discussions at the last session "Future of the Centers for Pluralism" of the conference. The pluralists as well discussed future activity plan of the Network around questions "Is the mission completed?" "Is the future of the Network important?" and "Priorities of the next 3,5,10 years?.