The aim of the Alumni reunion in Denmark

Youth Conference on transatlantic relations and dialogue

The US state department invested in an initiative in 2006 called The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows. This initiative brought bright youth from more than 40 different countries and American states together with an aim to foster good and diplomatic relations between them. The “future leaders” learned about democratic constitutions, new political tools and debate, in English, which they all speak fluently.

This summer the initiative is being continued. The young people have taken matters into their own hands, and are having a reunion at one participant’s house in Denmark. They desperately want to be reunited, continue their work, and share experiences while learning about the Danish culture and society.
The experience they shared in 2006 did not only leave them with beautiful memories but also with an understanding of the importance of international relations and dialogue. This is a mayor aim of the Alumni reunion in the city of Aarhus in Denmark, 2007.
The BFTF Alumni '06 will discuss the following points among many other:
- The end of the cold war has marked a turning point in modern history, but has not provided an end to international problems.
- What are the future global problems after the end of polarization between East and West?
- How will the x-Soviet republics continue to develop, and what relations will they have with the global communities?
- Poverty, inequality, illiteracy, environmental degradation, globalisation and security are all problems of the world, and therefore the international community has a moral obligation to try to solve them. How can this be done?

Participants are from various countries and states such as:
Denmark Sweden
Norway Albania
Romania Malta
Slovenia Russia
USA: Texas, Illinois and Minnesota
By: Aila Lonka