'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
- 2017 Delegation, by Sharon Tennison, Center for Citizen Initiatives
- Why You Should Visit Russia, by David Swanson, WorldBeyondWar.org
Dear Koozma
ReplyDeleteThis is important work of building Links of trust and friendship.
With you in spirit. Peace
Mairead
Excellent initiative! However, these folk [for the most part] are already enlightened and not part of the problem. Unfortunately, the seeds of suspicion, mistrust and paranoia find fertile ground among the dispossessed,the poor and disadvantaged, the sort of folk who will never be able to make such excursions. This is a problem of education dealing with the universality of man, and it must start at the bottom.
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