Problem: Professionals or technocrats in general and young people in particular, do not have enough resources to run for an elected office. Voters do not have access to a comprehensive resource that offers accurate information to make a more informed decision when choosing who to vote.

Goals: Increase the number of candidates to elected offices that are technocrats, young, or with fewer opportunities. Offer a cheap, trusted and comprehensive tool in the form of the website www.candidez.ro that will be used to promote candidates for elected offices.

Key objectives:

• Establish the managing partnership.
• Create the website www.Candidez.ro.
• Organize a publicity campaign.

Expected impact: More young people, professionals and technocrats will run for offices. People in Romania will make more informed decisions when going to vote. More people will go to vote in order to refresh the political environment.

Wouldn’t it be great to have access to a comprehensive and accurate method to evaluate the candidates who run for elected offices in one place? This is the presentation that I made in front of the Aspen Board:

The YLP 2009 Program had four modules:

1. The first one occurred in Predeal and focused on concepts of political and economic thinking that have shaped modern open societies.  A selection of writings – in English – by the key political philosophers of the past two centuries formed the basis for debate. Participants debated these ideas in the context of present-day Romania and the challenges posed by Romania’s specific social and historical legacy, and discussed the qualities required for good leadership.
2. The second module unfolded in the Danube Delta and assessed the leadership qualities and styles of the participants, their practical training in skills and technique, provided teambuilding exercises and allowed participants to present case studies.
3. The third module took place in Bucovina and consisted in a series of half-day round-table sessions where participants debated the key issues challenging Romanian society today from different perspectives. The participants gained an overview of the economic, political, environmental, social questions facing Romanian leaders today, assessed the European and international implications and identified potential areas for action.
4. A requirement of the Program is to propose a community project that every participant has to develop after graduation. The fourth module consists in presentations of the participants’ project proposals, followed by an award ceremony. My project is called “Candidez.ro (I run for office), easier to run for office, more informed voting.”

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Besides all these assets of the Program, I had the great opportunity to work with remarkable people who have expertise in the private, public and non-profit sectors. It was so rewarding to work with them during the various tasks and challenges of the YLP 2009!