Think and vote.

The conference at Caux this summer was largely planned by a group of Moldovans, who, after a visiting course, had structured their ideas into a programme of change for their country, concentrating on such issues as business ethics and electoral culture.

`One of the things we have planned is a "Think and Vote" campaign to increase the electoral culture and education of the Moldovan population,' says Veaceslav Balan, a 22-year-old law graduate who works at the State Agency for the Protection of Industrial Property. `We are organizing a series of discussions at the university on the role of the citizen in decision-making. The situation in our country is very poor--but we have to understand that a poor government is the result of the people's poor choice. At the moment most people in power only work for their own pockets. An electoral culture is the stepping stone necessary to prevent power always ending up in the hands of the handsome and eloquent.'

Balan was attracted to F4F three years ago when he saw an announcement at the university for a short course entitled `Search for Freedom'. `Many have general ideas of what freedom is, but no in-depth thoughts about it. It was very helpful to use the four values of love, honesty, unselfishness and purity. In that light I realized that life in Moldova was not free.'

He describes himself as `a great optimist', who attempts to be a realist too. The ideas behind Foundations for Freedom can seem a `bit naive and fairy-taleish', he says, but he believes they are reachable. `Here in Caux everyone understands each other so perfectly although we are so different. You know you can rely on each other because everyone tries to follow the four values I mentioned. Mutual trust is basic to understanding and co-operation.

`In Moldova we need moral and spiritual assistance, a sense that we are not alone. People from the West still do not understand the problems of Eastern Europe. When we talk about corruption they tell us to `speak out'. But how? People do not publicize their honesty and you cannot go up to people and ask them: are you honest? We need to create activities which make people of integrity come forward so we can stand together and create a critical mass of people who can move on together.'

Balan's plea to Westerners is to take a broader view of the problems. `You are more educated in methods of solving problems, but blind application in the East does not work. It would be good if we could find someone from our own country who could serve as a consultant to F4F: someone who understands the mechanisms in Eastern European cultures. But such a consultant would have to be certain of sustained moral support from the West.'

Balan was one of 14 Moldovans at Caux. For him, F4F is more than an extracurricular activity. `It is a way of life. Do this always!'