BBC’s World Questions comes to Bucharest in December, at an exciting time in the country’s history to discuss the issues that matter to Romanian people.
This December, Romanians will mark 30 years since the 1989 Revolution, which saw the fall of the Communist regime. The revolution was swift and brutal – the country’s dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed by firing squad on Christmas Day. The president’s death brought hopes of a fresh start.
Three decades on and Romania has prospered in many ways: incomes have risen and new technology and auto-making sectors fuel one of the EU’s fastest-growing economies. However, development continues to be hampered by corruption and unstable governments.
Some of the areas of discussion will include how to end corruption and rural poverty, how to improve education levels, and how to stem the flow of young people leaving the country for better lives abroad.
The debate will be chaired by the BBC’s Anita Anand, and the panel will include:
> Catalin Predoiu – Minister of Justice, National Liberal Party (PNL)
> Carmen Avram – MEP, Social Democratic Party (PSD)
> Madalina Mocan – Civil society researcher and activist
> Dan Turturica – Editor and journalist
Stephen Titherington, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English, says: “This is a time of change in Europe, and in the world, and Romania is a country that knows about change – its opportunities and its challenges. There is much the world will want to hear from this debate.”
Nigel Bellingham, Country Director of the British Council in Romania, says: “World Questions comes to Bucharest at an important moment for the people of Romania – for their history, for their country’s future, for their relationship with Europe and with the UK.
“We are very pleased to partner with the BBC World Service to mark this occasion, and look forward to an interesting, enlightening debate. The World Questions partnership is one we at the British Council value highly as part of our mission to promote cultural relations and connect people around the world.”
The BBC World Service is holding a series of debates across the world. BBC World Questions allows the public to question politicians, leaders and opinion formers face to face. The debates are led entirely by questions from the audience who are able to have their points heard around the world.
BBC World Questions: Bucharest is created in partnership with the British Council and will be recorded for radio broadcast worldwide. It will be recorded on Tuesday 10 December, at:
> The Bucharest University Of Economic Studies (ASE), 6 Piata Romana, Bucharest.
The reception starts at 1830 (for a 1900 start).
BBC World Questions: Bucharest will air on BBC World Service English on Saturday 14th December at 1900 GMT, and Sunday 15th December at 1200 GMT, and is available online after that at www.bbc.com/worldserviceradio