A record 111 delegates from 19 countries gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine for the fourth annual RFE/RL Affiliates Assembly from May 23-27. Those present heard presentations from the BBG Governor Mark Ledbetter, new RFE/RL foundation Chairman Fred Tarter and RFE/RL President Tom Dine, as well as U&S and local officials based in the Ukrainian capital, and enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about RFE/RL and deepen relationships with our radio and with each other.

The Assembly opened on Friday with welcoming remarks from US Ambassador to Ukraine Carlos Pascual, Kiev Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko and Radio Dovira Director Serhiy Say-Bodnar, the Assembly's host affiliate that is also celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

In his opening remarks Dine looked at "the future of independent media in transitional countries", noting that "when independent journalists face everything from lawsuits to jail to death, it is almost a miracle that everyone is willing to do it at all. … Which is why we are especially grateful to you, our affiliates, for your critical role in bringing independent voices to your countries."

The Assembly's four working sessions dealt with various aspects of RFE/RL's operations. Beyond welcoming remarks, the opening session, Chaired by Director of Broadcasting Jeffrey Trimble, featured reports on the3 state of affiliate relations, prese3nted by IBB Deputy Director of Affiliate Relations Enver Safir and RFE/RL Director of Marketing and Affiliate Development Uldis Grava. Grava, the newly appointed Director General of Latvian Public Television, used his presentation as an opportunity to present a formal letter from Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins inviting RFE/RL to move its European base of operations from Prague to Riga, specifically to the 22-storey Latvian television building.

A session of broadcasting, moderated by Associate Director of Broadcasting and newly appointed RFE/RL Director of Communications Don Jensen, included a panel discussion on how RFE/RL broadcast services are shaping their programs to better meet the needs of affiliates. It featured presentations by the service directors Mario Corti, Daniel Butora, Villu Kand and Mardo Soghom. A second panel, addressing what our affiliates are doing to improve their own programming, included presentations by affiliates from Estonia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Dan Braverman, the President of broadcast equipment manufacturer Radio Services Inc. was the featured speaker during a session on the role technology can play in affiliate radio operations, chaired by Director of Technology Kenneth Morehouse. Braverman pointed out that, while large broadcasters such as RFE/RL and the new XM satellite Radio have needs that demand the use of expensive, custom-built, broadcast equipment, many radio stations throughout the world can make use of much less expensive components developed for other industry sectors like consumer audio and musical instruments to put together a high-quality broadcast operation. A second presentation on radio jamming by Rimantas Pleikys of affiliate Radio Baltic Waves in Lithuania also caught the attention of both affiliates and RFE/RL employees.

A session titled "Reaching our Audiences", moderated by acting Director of Communication Martin Zvaners, was highlighted by presentations on RFE/RL's Internet operations by Pete Baumgartner and Rich Malak of the Internet Team; on a new program of local, in-region roundtables designed to promote both RFE/RL and local affiliates by Virginie Coulloudon of the Regional Analysis team and Frank Williams of Marketing an Affiliate Relations; and Audience Research Director Gene Parta's engaging look at a first-of-its-kind image survey of RFE/RL broadcast content. This survey, conducted in 23 of the 26 countries receiving our broadcast content (less Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan), affirmed that the RFE/RL has successfully overcome any perception of irrelevance or old War-bias to become an important part of local media landscape throughout our broadcast region.

Of course, the Assembly was not simply about formal session. Much time was set aside for personal consultations between affiliate representatives and RFE/RL broadcast service chiefs or RFE/RL and IBB affiliate relations managers, as well as for informal tours of Kyiv and social events. Radio Dovira's fifth birthday was marked at a joint reception at the Ukrainian Supreme Council, while a formal banquet and awards ceremony that included a keynote and address by BBG governor Mark Ledbetter took place at the "Dubki" restaurant in suburban Kyiv. Awards for Excellence were presented by RFE/RL to affiliates from 12 countries, while Radio Antenna M in Podgorica, Montenegro was named "Affiliate of the Year".

Outgoing Marketing and Affiliate Development Director Uldis Grava called the Kyiv Affiliate Assembly "the best ever", noting the way that relationship between RFE/RL and affiliate representatives continue to grow deeper and richer. Next year's assembly will take place at RFE/RL headquarters in Prague.