'Grass root' Citizen Diplomacy
Since 1984, the Center for Citizen Initiatives has built 1000s of person-to-person bridges between Russia and the USA. Here's what they did this year.
In May 2017 a volunteer delegation of 30 American citizens flew to Moscow to meet Russian citizens. They divided into groups for meetings in 10 locations — Moscow, Volgograd, Kazan (Tatarstan), Krasnodar, Novosibirsk (Siberia), Yekaterinburg; the Crimean cities Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol; and gathered in St. Petersburg before returning home.
Observations and Facts
Current Political Tension
Since 1984, the Center for Citizen Initiatives has built 1000s of person-to-person bridges between Russia and the USA. Here's what they did this year.
In May 2017 a volunteer delegation of 30 American citizens flew to Moscow to meet Russian citizens. They divided into groups for meetings in 10 locations — Moscow, Volgograd, Kazan (Tatarstan), Krasnodar, Novosibirsk (Siberia), Yekaterinburg; the Crimean cities Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol; and gathered in St. Petersburg before returning home.
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| Link to map |
Observations and Facts
- Western sanctions have hurt sectors of Russia’s economy but encouraged agricultural production.
- Some Russian oligarchs are making major infrastructure investments.
- There has been a resurgence of [state] religion in Russia.
- Russia increasingly looks east. [to China]
- Russia is a capitalist country with a strong state sector.
- There is some nostalgia for the former Soviet Union with its communist ideals.
- There is a range of media supporting both government and opposition parties.
- Public transportation is impressive.
- President Putin is popular.
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| Russians and Americans meet in Yekaterinburg, June 2015 |
Current Political Tension
- [Skepticism] about Russian “meddling” in the U.S. election.
- There is a strong desire to improve relations with the U.S.
- Western media reports about Crimea are hugely distorted.
- Russians know and fear war.
- Russians see themselves being threatened.
- Russians want to de-escalate international tensions. [Met with Gorbachev]
- With links, photos, ads: Russia Looks East, Capitalism with a Strong State Sector. Observations and Impressions from Russia, by Rick Sterling, Global Research, May 31, 2017
- Reposted, without ads: Observations and Impressions from Russia, Center for Citizen Initiatives, San Francisco, June 4, 2017
More
- News about delegation trips to Russia, by Sharon Tennison, Center for Citizen Initiatives
- Why You Should Visit Russia, by David Swanson, WorldBeyondWar.org
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