Report :

I would like to thank FNST for allowing me the opportunity of joining this program that gave me the chance of acquiring very important experience that no one can have access to through specialized books or local discussions, and for tapping on to many practical experiences of the participants from different parts of the world, which really contributed to enriching my experience and knowledge.

From the very first minute one walks through the IAF, one realizes that everything has been accurately and precisely prepared to help you focus on achieving the main goal of the seminar, i.e. gaining more experience and expertise as well as preparing political cadres. The Academy is in Gummersbach, a small town in the woods, which protects the participant with its quiet from being distracted from the main objective. Moreover, the Academy itself provides all means of comfort and the workers seek to serve you eagerly in the best way possible.

The seminar titled "Strategic Political Communication", which lasted for a full week was carefully planned. The program was intensive, but gradual starting from the vision, which is the cornerstone of the political organizations, to determining the target group and the formulation of the message of the organization that are in line with the target groups. Afterwards comes the stage of campaigning that include the use of modern communication techniques, such as the Internet and cellular phones, without also losing sight of traditional and direct methods of communication. The strategic part also addressed the means of dealing with the various media, which adds to the campaign. In addition, we were introduced to the management of debates, which has been very valuable. The seminar was concluded with setting a comprehensive plan for the management of an election campaign that included the elements requisite for its success, starting with setting the goal and ending with evaluation.

The seminar mainly relied on practical training, where the facilitators provided a short presentation and simple explanation, and then the participants were divided into groups that work to apply the ideas and then present their results to listen to the comments by the facilitators and the participants as well, whose comments and observations added much to the presentations and to the benefits.

In this session, 24 participants from various parts of the world participated. Some of them came from established democracies, such as western European countries, while others came from countries fairly young nascent democracies, such as south and south east Asian countries, and the rest came from nascent democracies, such as North African countries. Also, personally they had varied levels of experience, as some were already parliament members, others aides to ministers, while others were getting ready to run as candidates on behalf of their parties, and there were also prominent parliament and NGO members. This wonderful mix was the best asset of the seminar.

I need to remember to thank the facilitators, Arno Keller from Germany and Karla Rosana Sehn from Brazil for the great effort they have exerted during this seminar, as well as Timur Lutfullin the assistant who exerted so much effort to make sure that the seminar is completed in the best way possible. Also, Mr. Ralph Frulich, the public relations consultant conveyed to us many experiences and creative ideas for campaigns, in his capacity as one of the officials in charge of the former publicity campaign for the FDP in the last elections.