The Amber Krai of Russia: Dialogue of Culture, Dialogue of Generations Arriving in Kaliningrad after a three-year break from visiting the city, we, colleagues from the Center for Interethnic Cooperation, noted that a striking, positive change had occurred in the westernmost oblast of Russia. The city is gradually becoming more and more similar to its flourishing contemporaries in Central Russia, Povolzh and Ural. All the new buildings, the busy flow of cars, well-organized parks and, of course, the restoration of historical objects make Kaliningrad a wholly unique city. The interethnic situation in the region is unusual. As many newcomers and children of newcomers as there are here, the oblast is fully bordered by foreign states; many aspects of interethnic interaction are accepted as a matter of course. In the framework of the September seminar �Youth and Tolerance�, we intended to discuss the regional character, to meet Kaliningraders with experience in other regions in the Russian federation, and, most importantly, to understand what role youth of the region play in interethnic interaction, more specifically, the youth department of ethnic public associations. This is the second seminar in the course of the realization of the project �Youth and Tolerance�, supported by the German Embassy. It was beneficial for us that three youth activists were able to come to Kaliningrad from the Republic of Karelia, a region with which the Center for Interethnic Cooperation has had a long and friendly relationship. It was especially important that two of them were representing NGOs, and Alexandra Ershova represented the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Karelia. Kaliningraders were very glad to see guests, and the seminar quickly took on a positive and constructive tone. A separate thanks needs to go to Oleg Mikhailovich Panasenko, director of the division on ethnicity affairs in liaison with community and religious organizations of the Ministry of Culture of the Kaliningrad oblast. It was namely he who helped to round up participants for both the youth seminar and the round table for ethnic leaders of the region, which took place on the day following the seminar. Seminar participants represented three different categories of citizens who were concerned with youth issues in different ways. There were youth from ethnic NGOs, colleagues from municipal general education institutions and representatives of city and oblast authorities. Such diverse views and approaches to the problem provided us with a high level of objectivity. On the basis of already established traditions, we, trainers from the Center for Interethnic Cooperation, Victoria Shukhat and Ashot Airapetyan, began with a clarification of the most typical characteristics of youth from the North-West of Russia. After a process of recording the votes for the most universally accepted characteristics from the list we were left with the following points: Main characteristics of youth from 18-25 tolerant europeanized want money by the most lucrative and fast means possible plays sports loves freedom Completely unexpected characteristics, strongly differing from the portraits created in other regions. Often, portraits are not so positive. We were already happy having decided to go to the region that had reached ethnic accord, but saddened by how the wonderful picture was significantly spoiled by the answer to our next question, which was: what problems exist for the youth community in the north-west. The list of dispelled our illusion about the model situation: Problems of Youth aggression free higher education future pension guarantee highly paid work authenticity of information (lack of) housing issue dependence (computer, family, friends) dependence on: tobacco alcohol, narcotics, computers, automatic gambling machines disinformation about the activity of associations accessibility of alcohol, tobacco drug addiction. No anonymity, special institutions or organizations which work on problems of sexual relations dissatisfaction with cultural-leisure options lack of faith in the future lack of relevance of youth lack of information lack of contact (spiritual) inaccessible housing lack of cultural-leisure centers (free) (sports) deceit of authorities, mass media lack of money lack of qualitative information lack of motivation for a healthy life style lack of perspective for small towns and settlements lack of own opinions, suggestibility generation clash problems in the family educational problems problems of young families problems of one�s own future problems of work placement in one�s area of expertise more developed patriotic spirit self-determination at work, at school, etc. social inequality difficulty of free contact with other regions, including abroad taking into account the opinions of youth when making decisions youth maximalism This is a very sad list which demonstrates that the reality of youth is very severe and joint consolidated strengths of different levels of authority and public inclusion are needed for correcting this disastrous situation. From here, the conversation turned in a very limited manner to the theme of the activity of the non-governmental sector and its individual responsibilities which accompany its work- the responsibility for the construction of Civil Society in Russia. In our view, it is impossible to talk about tolerance in society without professing the basic principles of democracy and not isolating the values of Civil Society. This understanding, however, is still significantly new for Russia, and as such, we asked participants to describe what, for them, defined this understanding in different groups. The following principles were formed by the strength of joint group-work: Civil Society is: Citizens observing the law Encouragement and presence of patriotic spirit Tolerance Fulfilling civil duty United society Society which has moral and ethical values Presence of a Constitution and its strict observance. Democracy is the basis of the development of society and government Legislative base taking into account the observance of the rights and freedoms of all citizens Working (not declarative) law which is independent from the state and the government Presence of political parties (multi-party system), equal access to mass media, etc. Public trade-union organizations which can resolve problems related to the defense of human rights (control observance of laws) Resolving the most pressing problems regarding the development of society through referendums Free elections: electivity at levels of the federation and regions (not appointment) Planned concept of national-policy, its moral and ethical public and patriotic schooling Strict observance of the principles of free conscience. Planned policy regarding religions Strict observance of freedom of speech and moral censoring in mass media Broad introduction to joint educational techniques for personal development Informal interest of authorities in the development of public initiatives (and NGOs) State-public council Production of effective mechanisms of monitoring the flow of information National project �culture of peace and agreement� Corporate etiquette Lawful culture Intercultural dialogue Public diplomacy Culture of the family National idea of unity! It is interesting that this theme produced a lot of response from training participants, the discussion proved to be dynamic and lively. Following this, after clearing up such a wide-ranging question, we proposed that participants discuss the present problems of non-governmental organizations of the North-West Federal region of the Russian Federation. Similarly, participants approached this task with a lot of energy. The combined list turned out as follows: Problems of NGOs bureaucratic obstacles from government institutions no interaction between NGOs no competent preparation of a leader for carrying out organization lack of technical means lack of information about public associations abroad low level of motivation among youth for participation in NGOs low level of knowledge of youth low level of competency of colleagues in NGOs (finances, leaders, etc.) limited activity support (financial) and lack of independence (ability of foreign sources to finance) support (illuminating activity) of mass media location for meetings, lectures, seminars problems of attracting others connection with other public associations financing informational accompaniment cadres and their professional preparation material-technical base cooperation with other NGOs is modest weak interest of commercial and other organizations non-admission of utilization of NGOs in commercial goals difficulty of registration and accounting state support of NGOs is modest As is evident from this list, one of the central problems of the inhibited development of the NGO sector is the inadequate inclusion of youth in an active public life. What could draw more youth? What interests youth? These questions were answered with the help of a brain storm: What Appeals to Youth technology football night life receiving money leisure sex life cars style interethnic evenings at dance clubs foreign volunteers interethnic camps lessons on tolerance in schools led by students of ethnic minorities rock concerts sporting events The list is amusing, but not hopeless. Indifference, or even the negative mood of youth needs to be absorbed by work in the Third sector, but mainly that they become more tolerant to different opinions, cultures and ethnos. Therefore, we asked participants to develop design ideas taking into account the results of the previous survey. The project ideas turned out to be very diverse and bright: Project Ideas Federal Youth Portal �We�re Together� Goals: Widening the information space for youth public organizations working on intercultural dialogue; Exchange of experience Results: Strengthening links Search for partners Joint projects Centers of Socio-Cultural Adaptation Goals: Social, psychological, informational and juridical support for immigrants Results: Adaptation of newcomers in their new place of residence Train of Friendship Goal: Drawing the attention of community to ideas of a united multi-ethnic state of the Russian Federation Tasks: acquaintance educational instruction information horizontal links activation sociological surveys Result: Meeting the cultural-spiritual needs of the multi-cultural society of the Russian Federations Information Exchange Goal: Exchange of information between ethno-cultural organizations Tasks: acquaintance with ethnicities of the north-western region forming tolerance in the youth sphere activation of local associations Results: drawing 10 organizations (100 persons) to the experience scope of 30 000 persons creating new organizations in the region raising the level of tolerance Task force: representatives youth 14-18 years old (300 000 persons) The ideas themselves are very interesting. It would be a challenge for such complex projects to be carried out by youth. We decided to look for the means for the accomplishment of these projects. The realization of these projects will allow for a large part of youth to be affected by the values of Civil Society and to become more tolerant and europeanized young people, the portrait of which was created by participants at the very start of the seminar. At the end of the seminar, adult leaders of ethnic NGOs gathered at a Round table on the following day. In a responsive circle, we discussed the results of the seminar, the situation of interethnic relations in their oblasts, as well as their perspectives of the development related to the experience of other regions and projects which were carried out there. The most significant result of this event was the agreement that we came to for carrying out the following seminar on the interaction between leaders of ethnic NGOs, authorities and police. We are delighted about this. Victoria Shukhat
The Amber Krai of Russia: Dialogue of Culture, Dialogue of Generations
The interethnic situation in the region is unusual. As many newcomers and children of newcomers as there are here, the oblast is fully bordered by foreign states; many aspects of interethnic interaction are accepted as a matter of course. In the framework of the September seminar �Youth and Tolerance�, we intended to discuss the regional character, to meet Kaliningraders with experience in other regions in the Russian federation, and, most importantly, to understand what role youth of the region play in interethnic interaction, more specifically, the youth department of ethnic public associations.
This is the second seminar in the course of the realization of the project �Youth and Tolerance�, supported by the German Embassy. It was beneficial for us that three youth activists were able to come to Kaliningrad from the Republic of Karelia, a region with which the Center for Interethnic Cooperation has had a long and friendly relationship. It was especially important that two of them were representing NGOs, and Alexandra Ershova represented the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Karelia. Kaliningraders were very glad to see guests, and the seminar quickly took on a positive and constructive tone. A separate thanks needs to go to Oleg Mikhailovich Panasenko, director of the division on ethnicity affairs in liaison with community and religious organizations of the Ministry of Culture of the Kaliningrad oblast. It was namely he who helped to round up participants for both the youth seminar and the round table for ethnic leaders of the region, which took place on the day following the seminar.
Seminar participants represented three different categories of citizens who were concerned with youth issues in different ways. There were youth from ethnic NGOs, colleagues from municipal general education institutions and representatives of city and oblast authorities. Such diverse views and approaches to the problem provided us with a high level of objectivity.
On the basis of already established traditions, we, trainers from the Center for Interethnic Cooperation, Victoria Shukhat and Ashot Airapetyan, began with a clarification of the most typical characteristics of youth from the North-West of Russia. After a process of recording the votes for the most universally accepted characteristics from the list we were left with the following points:
Main characteristics of youth from 18-25
Completely unexpected characteristics, strongly differing from the portraits created in other regions. Often, portraits are not so positive. We were already happy having decided to go to the region that had reached ethnic accord, but saddened by how the wonderful picture was significantly spoiled by the answer to our next question, which was: what problems exist for the youth community in the north-west. The list of dispelled our illusion about the model situation:
Problems of Youth
This is a very sad list which demonstrates that the reality of youth is very severe and joint consolidated strengths of different levels of authority and public inclusion are needed for correcting this disastrous situation.
From here, the conversation turned in a very limited manner to the theme of the activity of the non-governmental sector and its individual responsibilities which accompany its work- the responsibility for the construction of Civil Society in Russia. In our view, it is impossible to talk about tolerance in society without professing the basic principles of democracy and not isolating the values of Civil Society. This understanding, however, is still significantly new for Russia, and as such, we asked participants to describe what, for them, defined this understanding in different groups. The following principles were formed by the strength of joint group-work:
Civil Society is:
It is interesting that this theme produced a lot of response from training participants, the discussion proved to be dynamic and lively. Following this, after clearing up such a wide-ranging question, we proposed that participants discuss the present problems of non-governmental organizations of the North-West Federal region of the Russian Federation. Similarly, participants approached this task with a lot of energy. The combined list turned out as follows:
Problems of NGOs
As is evident from this list, one of the central problems of the inhibited development of the NGO sector is the inadequate inclusion of youth in an active public life. What could draw more youth? What interests youth? These questions were answered with the help of a brain storm:
What Appeals to Youth
The list is amusing, but not hopeless. Indifference, or even the negative mood of youth needs to be absorbed by work in the Third sector, but mainly that they become more tolerant to different opinions, cultures and ethnos. Therefore, we asked participants to develop design ideas taking into account the results of the previous survey.
The project ideas turned out to be very diverse and bright:
Project Ideas Federal Youth Portal �We�re Together�
Goals:
Results:
Centers of Socio-Cultural Adaptation
Train of Friendship
Goal: Drawing the attention of community to ideas of a united multi-ethnic state of the Russian Federation Tasks:
Result: Meeting the cultural-spiritual needs of the multi-cultural society of the Russian Federations
Information Exchange Goal:
Exchange of information between ethno-cultural organizations Tasks:
The ideas themselves are very interesting. It would be a challenge for such complex projects to be carried out by youth. We decided to look for the means for the accomplishment of these projects.
The realization of these projects will allow for a large part of youth to be affected by the values of Civil Society and to become more tolerant and europeanized young people, the portrait of which was created by participants at the very start of the seminar.
At the end of the seminar, adult leaders of ethnic NGOs gathered at a Round table on the following day. In a responsive circle, we discussed the results of the seminar, the situation of interethnic relations in their oblasts, as well as their perspectives of the development related to the experience of other regions and projects which were carried out there. The most significant result of this event was the agreement that we came to for carrying out the following seminar on the interaction between leaders of ethnic NGOs, authorities and police. We are delighted about this.
Victoria Shukhat
