The Network Effect, initiated by the British Council in partnership with local organisations, is a series of discussion forums for bright and committed young people, with the aim of nurturing networks between these future leaders.

The first forum took place in Stockholm in October 2005.  Subsequent forums have been held in Amsterdam (June 2006), Bratislava (October 2006), Istanbul (March 2007), Tallinn (May 2007), Berlin (October 2007) and Budapest (March 2008).

The forums address a diverse range of issues, but all of them are trying to answer the question: ‘What sort of Europe do we want to live in?’

Participants have come from 37 countries in Europe and beyond – from Portugal to Russia; Finland to Azerbaijan.  They are dissatisfied with the traditional routes for changing the world (such as working in politics, or NGOs or in the media).

Each forum is attended by around 35 young participants – some for the first time; some who have taken part in previous forums. They spend two and a half days together in lively debate, exchanging views and generating ideas. They also visit local organisations who are working in the area that is being discussed.

Topics explored so far have included:

• the increasing democratic deficit in Europe, and the role of the media in this
• are cities the best means of meeting the challenges of Europe’s diversity?
• the changing roles of non-governmental organisations in the 21st century
• corporate social responsibility

the changing demographics of Europe, and the challenges and opportunities this brings

• cultural identities, diversity and prejudices in modern Europe and beyond

We currently have plans for five more forums – in Moscow (October 2008), Pristina (February 2009), Barcelona (April 2009), Lisabon (June 2009) and the final forum in Belfast (October 2009).  The themes for these are: ‘Is there such a thing as European culture?’; ‘Europe and Russia: from country branding to public diplomacy’; ‘Education in Europe’; ‘Europe and Africa’; and ‘The EU and EU neighbours’.