Excerpt from: MSU: Spanning the globe
MSU ushers in new democracy
By Kristin K. Anderson
08/31/99
When people think of Transylvania they don't usually think of
this region in terms of it facing challenges in democracy, developing
civic education programs or citizen participation. That's all changing
through the research and outreach efforts of MSU faculty who are
helping to foster these tenets in this newly emerging Romanian democracy.
The city of Cluj, nestled in the Transylvanian mountains a few
miles from the "Count's" medieval castle, is home to Babes-Bolyai
University (B-BU), where MSU faculty and staff are working with
B-BU faculty and local government officials to establish political
leadership workshops, teach university classes, engage in research
projects and provide community technical assistance.
Under a three-year USAID grant, Roger Hamlin, professor of geography;
Harry Perlstadt, professor of sociology; Rex LaMore, director of
the Center for Urban Affairs; and Dan Hester, staff member in the
College of Social Science; are providing alliances between the universities
that can jointly promote long-term linkages involving student academics,
public officials and institutions in their respective societies.
"The main thrust of the grant is to link our two universities
to share information and skills to build democratic institutions
and social support that makes a democratic society," Hamlin
said. "Our faculty go there and run workshops for local leaders
including media, elected officials and nonprofit organizations."
Before 1996, the government was from the top down and citizens
rarely had the opportunity to voice their opinions, Hamlin said,
noting that they were only allowed to address the city council once
a year.
"When we became involved in this project, the citizens had
few models on which to base their conduct of government meetings,"
he said. "We got into this at the beginning of a new era in
their history."
Programs take place in six phases, three in Romania and three in
the United States over a three-year period. In addition to faculty
and staff exchanges, the program supports faculty and curriculum
development in civics education, collaborative research and community
outreach in Transylvania.
"MSU and the campus colleges involved will gain an increase
in faculty expertise in Eastern European issues and culture,"
Hamlin said. "They promote research, help us establish contacts
for the future and also help promote study abroad opportunities
for students."
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