KIKONES I - Training of Balkan and Black Sea States' Representatives on the Rule of Law and Democracy

OVERALL OBJECTIVE: To offer training on the concepts of acquis communautaire and international legal provisions and to promote necessary legal reforms in Black Sea and Balkan Countries.

ACTIVITIES:

Balkan and Black Sea States representatives (academics, lawyers, under and post- graduate students) participated in a series of seminars and activities focusing on the European dimension of the Rule of Law and democratic principles, and on the historical development of European democracies. In this framework, an Operational Meeting Center was created and was operating in Maroneia, Thrace, Greece.

A youth summer camp with three two-week Summer Study Sessions in the new premises of Maroneia. In total, around 100 students coming from the Balkans and the Black Sea Countries, and ranging from 18 to 28 years of age, were selected to participate. The countries represented included Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey and Ukraine.  During the summer camp, the young students participated in seminars on EU Human Rights and International Law held by professors, lecturers and experts in the respective fields.
An international conference, in April 2007, aimed at the drafting of reports on the need for constitutional reform in the Balkan and Black Sea countries.

FUNDING AGENCY: Hellenic Aid, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PARTNERS: The Municipality of Maroneia, Thrace, Greece.