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The Summer University for Democracy in Strasbourg

06 July 2009 12:39 (UTC +04:00)

Summer University for Democracy: "Global challenges to democracy" organized by the Council of Europe kicked off in Strasbourg. APA European bureau reports that the representatives of Baku School of Political Studies also joined the event attended by over 600 political leaders, civil society activists, journalists and business leaders from 16 European countries to discuss the impact of contemporary challenges to democratic values, human rights and the rule of law, as promoted by the Council of Europe since its creation in 1949. Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis opened the Summer University. Slovenian President Danilo TÃ¼rk gave an opening lecture. Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries, Parliamentary Assembly President (PACE) Lluis Maria de Puig, President of the European Association of the Schools of Political Studies Catherine Lalumiere and Michel Rocard, former French Prime Minister also delivered speeches. Lilian Thuram, President of the Lilian Thuram Foundation-Education against Racism, will participate in the closing session on Friday 10 July at which a final declaration is due to be adopted. A meeting of Baku and Yerevan schoolchildren is also planned within the framework of the event.