UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation

From the UNESCO Project – to the National Program

The All-Russian Conference «Culture of Peace in Russia: Results and Prospects (from the UNESCO Project – to the National Program)» was held at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) in Moscow on March 2, 2001.

The Conference was organized by the Russian Federation Commission for UNESCO, the UNESCO Moscow Office, and the Culture of Peace and Democracy Chair of RSUH.

The Conference summed up the results of the "Culture of Peace in Russia – 2000" Project and presented as well as analyzed practical experience in implementing the principles of the culture of peace, tolerance and non-violence in various social spheres.

Nearly 70 project activists from Moscow and other regions of Russia participated in four round tables, within which the most topical aspects of the culture of peace were discussed.

In addition, much attention was paid to the problems of implementing the Project at the federal and regional levels. The participants shared their experience regarding specific on-site work in educational programs on the culture of peace and non-violence, training of conflictologists, and emphasized the essential contribution of non-governmental organizations to this activity.

During presentation of UNESCO’s unique «Culture of Peace News and Media Network» Internet-Project, the latest modules of the Russian web-site on the culture of peace were demonstrated to the participants. Everybody who wanted to obtain skills in working on the Project could do this and become convinced of the expediency of actively participating in it.

One of the most important aspects of the Conference was the discussion of the prospects for implementing the Federal Program on Tolerance and Prevention of Extremism in the Russian Society, which was presented by Alexander Asmolov, Deputy Head of the Elaborators’ Group, Head of Psychology Chair of the Moscow State University.

The Final Address to the Russian Government adopted by the participants included an appeal to use the experience of the participants of the "Culture of Peace in Russia – 2000" Project in implementing the Federal Program on Tolerance, to develop partnership within the framework of the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010), and to involve the potential of non-governmental organizations to this end.

The complete text of the reference document is available on the Internet:

http://www.culture.of.peace.ru

The most active participants of the "Culture of Peace in Russia –2000" Project were solemnly awarded with "Palm Branch of Peace" medals and memorable diplomas.

"Forever Bolshoi"

A charity photo exhibition "Forever Bolshoi" was opened on 20 February 2001 within the framework of the Bolshoi/UNESCO project, which is aimed to assist in the development and reconstruction of the Bolshoi Theater. The exhibition demonstrates Theater’s architectural history, starting from the year of its foundation in 1856 to the present day, and presents the building’s glorious past and dramatically deteriorating current condition. This exhibition is aimed at drawing the public’s attention to the Project and proves the need for urgent and fundamental reconstruction. For instance, 145 years ago the Theater gave 10 performances per month, today performances occure almost every day. In 1856, the troupe numbered approximately 100 actors, today the staff runs to more than 2300.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by well-known representatives of Russian cultural society, business and the media. The press-conference and opening ceremony were inaugurated by Mikhail Shvidkoi, Russian Minister of Culture, Wolfgang Reuther, Director of UNESCO Moscow Office, Anatoly Iksanov, Director General of the Bolshoi Theater, and Alexandra Vovolini, Steering Committee Chairperson of the Bolshoi/UNESCO Project.

In the near future, the charity photo exhibition "Forever Bolshoi" will accompany the Theater on its foreign tours and become one of basic components of the international fundraising campaign launched by UNESCO to the benefit of the Bolshoi reconstruction project.

Antiracist Event at UNIC-Moscow

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2001 the International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The World Conference on Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance will be the next milestone in this direction. The forum is to be held in Durban, South Africa, in the late summer.

Part of the preparations for the World Conference included the functions held in Moscow devoted to March 21 – the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. To mark this date, the UN Information Center held a special antiracist event. Prominent human rights activists, as well as members of the academia, artists, NGOs and mass-media representatives took part in the event.

In his opening statement, Alexander Gorelik, Director of the UN Information Center, emphasized that discrimination affects not only specific races and ethnic groups. It can also be expressed by intolerance and a biased attitude towards the culture, religion and language of other people. Often racism is aimed at the most vulnerable groups of people – the ones who do not have sufficient means to protect themselves – refugees, internally displaced persons, women and children. In its extreme manifestation, discrimination may lead to ethnic purges and imposing racial superiority. However, it can also be expressed in excluding discriminated persons from the most common social activities and tasks at schools, kindergartens, workplaces and in religious communities. Discrimination does not always leave traces of physical violence, nevertheless it can psychologically wound people for their entire lives, noted Alexander Gorelik.

Vladimir Kartashkin, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission at the President of the Russian Federation, reported on the country’s preparations for the World Conference in South Africa. He attached special importance to the practical implementation of the antiracist provisions in Russian legislation, and drew the participants’ attention to the vital role of education and upbringing in a spirit of tolerance. Vladimir Kartashkin also outlined some steps which Russia could undertake to promote practical followup of the World Conference.

Anatoly Kolodkin, Chairman of the Russian Association of International Law, noted the necessity of taking real measures to combat all forms of intolerance. He focussed on some trends of extremism and intolerance among the Russian youth and shared his ideas on how to improve the situation.

The informal exchange of views was continued by Lidia Grafova, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Migration Organizations, Oleg Egorov, leader of a non-governmental organization of the indigenous peoples of Russia, and the representatives of "Irida" artistic association.

The event at the UN Information Center helped to pass the United Nations antiracist message on to the Russian public and promoted better understanding of the tasks facing the international community in its struggle against intolerance in all forms.

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