ALTEMUS program aims to train leaders for Central/Eastern Europe (11/19/00)

ALTEMUS program aims to train leaders for Central/Eastern Europe

by Christina Medycky

BRUSSELS - Anna Martsinkiv hesitates as she laces on a pair of burgundy and black rock-climbing shoes. The 27-year-old sociology student from Ivano-Frankivsk has never climbed before. As a matter of fact, she is not particularly fond of heights and the 60-foot rock face in front of her does little to ease her anxiety. Anna slowly puts on her helmet, checks her harness and waits to be clipped on to a safety line. She takes a deep breath and begins her ascent.

The rock-climbing and subsequent rock rescue team-building exercise were part of a leadership training program organized by ALTEMUS, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping young people from new democracies discover and develop their leadership potential.

The program was held in collaboration with the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute for a group of Ukrainian graduate students attending Harvard's Ukrainian Summer Institute. Funded by Lucent Technologies, with additional support from the Renaissance Foundation, it took place at Harvard University (Massachusetts), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) and The Chewonki Foundation (Maine).

"We feel fortunate that our students from Ukraine were able to take advantage of such a unique opportunity. The Altemus program helped these young people to develop leadership skills that are much-needed in Ukraine today," said James Clem, HURI executive director.

This type of initiative is a response to an overwhelming demand by young people in Central and Eastern Europe and the newly independent states for skills training. Universities in the region do not offer courses in such areas as self-awareness, problem-solving, or building and working in teams. Furthermore, unless one works for a foreign multi-national, it is impossible to get on-the-job training in these competencies.

Undeniably, there is a critical shortage of effective and ethical leaders in the region. At a 1997 forum organized jointly by ALTEMUS and Junior Achievement of Central and Eastern Europe, young people from the former Communist bloc expressed regrets that they have no role models, mentors or heroes.

Conditioned by years of communism, the old leadership stubbornly clings to past paradigms, viewing change not as an opportunity, but as a threat. Young people, while more flexible and toward-thinking, lack the insight and skills necessary to effectively lead and manage change. This deficit constitutes a serious bottleneck in the democratization process - especially given the impending enlargement of the European Union, the technological revolution and globalization. Ukraine urgently needs to cultivate the next generation of leaders who can take on responsible positions in the public, private and third sectors.

To ensure that the specific needs, realities and predicaments of the participants are understood and addressed, the ALTEMUS Training Program was designed with local young people and leadership experts. The training program is normally three weeks long, with a follow-up program six months later.

To accommodate the schedule of the Ukrainian students at Harvard, the training was divided into thematic modules. The topics covered this summer included leadership theory, self-knowledge, interpersonal communication, cultural awareness, conflict management, team building, visioning and goal-setting, planning, problem-solving and organizational skills.

The faculty came from the United States, Canada and Western and Eastern Europe, and comprised academics, psychologists, corporate trainers and outdoor experiential learning experts. The methodology consisted of presentations, case studies of most effective practices, a meeting with a role model leader who shared her life experiences and hard-earned wisdom, teamwork and an expedition in a wilderness setting. The program was highly interactive and encouraged the attendees to push their boundaries and challenge their bodies, minds and souls.

While it is difficult today to know the long-term benefits of such training, it is clear that the Ukrainian students viewed it as a worthwhile investment. In an upcoming episode of the television program "Windows on America" shown nationally in Ukraine, these bright talented young people share their experiences, thoughts and feelings about the ALTEMUS program.

For more information on ALTEMUS or how to sponsor/participate in future training programs write to: ALTEMUS European Office, 35 rue Gulliame Stocq, Brussels, Belgium 1050; or visit the website at www.altemus.org.

Christina Medycka of Brussels, Belgium, is founder of ALTEMUS.

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