The Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT opened the 9th Leadership School for Young Political Leaders in Chisinau on November 26, 2009. Taking part in the opening sitting were 40 school participants – representatives of civil society and youth wings of 11 political parties. ADEPT Executive director Igor Botan welcomed the participants at the beginning of the sitting, stating that "the political culture shall be an imperative for political leaders to be guided into the political process in the Republic of Moldova and into the crisis we are facing right now. The only way to reach this goal is to involve young people, party or NGOs representatives who want to become authentic political leaders in future, building political culture in their parties in particular and society in general."

Dr. Mihai Cernencu, head of the Department of Humanitarian Studies of the Free International University of Moldova, moderator of LSYPL sittings, also addressed the participants, expressing optimism that young people will be active during sittings and will respect each others. Cernencu stressed that the participants will be able to learn diverse opinions of national and international experts, political leaders from Moldova regarding most pressing political and economic problems faced by our country.

Further, School Coordinator Nadejda Afanasieva told participants the working methods during meetings, formulated together the principles of work, paying a special attention to punctuality and reciprocal respect within the programme. As well, the participants introduced themselves and told their expectations from this programme.

The Leadership School for Young Political Leaders (STLP) is a project launched by ADEPT Association in 1999 to contribute to the strengthening of the political party system in the Republic of Moldova, political modernisation of the country, and education of a new generation of political and civil society leaders. About 300 youths representing political parties and institutions of higher learning from Moldova attended the eight editions of the Leadership School for Young Political Leaders so far.

The 9^th Leadership School for Young Political Leaders is part of the project "Young Political Leader – Promoter of European Values" implemented with the financial assistance of the Soros Foundation-Moldova.