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 Universal Peace Federation
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 Women’s Federation for World Peace
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ACUNS Vienna
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Email:
euhq@upf-eu.org info@weltfriede.at Web: www.upf.org www.weltfriede.at
International Leadership Conference
“Europe and Russia –
Partners in a Globalized World”
October 12th and 13th, 2012
Vienna International Centre (U.N. Building)
& NH Danube Hotel
An International Leadership conference on the topic
"Europe and Russia -
Partners in a Globalized World," was held in Vienna on October 12 and 13 organized by the
Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in cooperation with the Academic
Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) and the Women's Federation for
World Peace.
The conference was part of a
series of European events held at the United Nations in Geneva
and Vienna, UNESCO in Paris, National
Parliaments in the United Kingdom
and Norway, and in the
Presidential Palace in Malta.
It was also the second in a series of "Russia – Europe Dialogue" conferences which
were started in Moscow
in April 2012.
The
first day was held at the Vienna International Centre (UN building) attended by
over 250 participants coming from several European countries and the Russian Federation.
International and local guest were welcomed by Peter
Haider, Secretary General of UPF-Austria, who
explained Austria’s
special potential and responsibility as a small country with a delicate role
between the East and the West of Europe in the history after World War II
leading to the fall of the Iron Curtain and developments afterwards.
Friday, 12th October - Vienna International Centre (U.N. Building)
SESSION I: Europe
and Russia
- Partners in a Globalized World
Chairperson: Peter
Haider, President UPF Austria
Mag. Barbara Prammer,
President of the Austrian parliament (video message)
H.E. Sergey Nechaev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Austria
Dr. Werner Fasslabend, Minister
of Defence Austria
(1990-2000), President of AIES
H.E. Dr. Anwar Azimov,
Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation
Dr. Thomas Walsh, President of UPF
International
Mr. Jacques Marion, Secretary General UPF
Eurasia
The President of the Austrian Parliament, Mag. Barbara
Prammer in a video message commended the organizers of this conference for
their initiative. She stressed her belief in the importance of the perspectives
of youth for the future of the Euro-Russian relationship, and as a female
politician she expressed her conviction that a focus on the role of women in
Europe and Russia would
contribute to getting closer to the common goal of a peaceful and just world.
Then ambassador of the Russian Federation
to Austria, H.E. Sergey Nechaev outlined the
multiple aspects of positive cooperation between the European Union and Russia. He observed good opportunities for economic cooperation in the context of
Russia
joining the WTO, its promotion within the OECD, and in realizing joint projects
in the framework of the “Partnership for modernization”. He emphasized the
complementarity of the EU and Russia
in the energy sector, but reminded the audience that by 2015 the EU will no
longer interact in a bilateral format with Russia, but with a new Eurasian Economic
Commission. He spoke on the need for a speedy resolution of the issue of
visa-free travel between Russia
and the European Union, which would have a positive impact both on the economic
development of both partners as well as on tourism and cultural exchange. Insisting that disputes between the
EU and Russia should be solved on an equal, non-discriminatory basis, and that
the „teacher-and-pupil role game“ on human rights issues would not lead
anywhere, he asked the international audience to offer positive ideas for the
upcoming, December 2012 Russia-EU summit in Brussels.
Dr. Werner Fasslabend, Minister of Defense in Austria from 1990-2000, in his words of welcome
to the participants looked back at the history of the relationship between
Russia and Europe, which started more that 1000 years ago. 500 years ago after,
the end of the Mongol dominance Russia
linked herself to Europe and especially Austria as is was the seat of the Hapsburg Empire in those days. He mentioned the intensive opening of Russia towards Western
Europe through Czar Peter the Great. Russia became a mayor factor in
European history. Czar Alexander together with Metternich dominated the
Congress of Vienna after the Napoleonic period, which set up a balance between
five major powers for the stability of Europe. The
conflicting interests on the Balkan ended the balance between the mayor
European powers and finally the two world wars were tragic for all. The liberation from the
Nazis by Russian soldiers in 1945 and the Austrian Independence Treaty of 1955
were milestones in Austrian recent history. He urged the
participants not to remain in a mindset of the cold war but to understand that
this time is over once and for all. We should return, he suggested, to an axis connecting Paris,
Berlin, and Moscow
that would bring peace and stability for Europe.
Dr. Anwar Azimov, Ambassador
at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation, stated that Russia has firm intentions to successfully
advance towards establishing visa-free travel to the European Union countries.
"During the Cold War the Soviet Union was
resisting to principle of the freedom of movement but now we have changed
places. Russia
is ready to abolish all visa restrictions.” It would be now the turn of the
European Union to demonstrate its political will by cancelling visa
requirements and confirming the strategic character of their partner
relationship. The key foundation concerning visa-free travel should be mutual
trust. It is not clear to Russians why the EU, which already allows visa-free
travel with 40 countries, is in no hurry to do the same in respect to Russia,
one of its closest and most reliable neighbours. It is the major trade and
economic partner of Russia,
counting for more than half of the foreign trade; investments from European
Union nations will amount to US$300 billion. The number of Russian tourists
visiting European Union countries in 2012 will be almost 6 million people.
Then Dr.
Thomas Walsh, President of UPF International, as an American tried to bring
the view of an outsider: “The US
relationship to Russia has
been a difficult one; and, in some respects, on the geopolitical level, over
issues such as Syria, Kosovo, Georgia,
and missile defence systems, the cold war continues. At the same time, Russians
and Americans have many similarities and are fond of one another.” Referring to
the host city of the conference, he added, “Being here in Vienna I am especially reminded of what was
in many ways a major transformational moment not only in European history, but
world history, the legacy of which remains with us today. I am speaking of the
legacy of Austrian Prince and Foreign Minister Metternich and the forming of
the Concert of Europe in 1815 following the horrendous Napoleonic Wars. For,
despite its limitations, the Concert of Europe was arguably the first major
example of international partnership and cooperation, for the purpose of
preventing future wars. The Concert of Europe set an important precedent, even
for its critics, for the rise of internationalist ideas and movements,
including eventually both the League of Nations
and the United Nations.” He closed by quoting UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon’s report to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly: “It
is my conviction that the global problems we face today are simply too complex
to be solved by governments alone. They require collective and coordinated
action by government, by the private sector, by civil society, by academia, and
by international organizations and multilateral development banks. Over the
next year, I will develop a comprehensive proposal which seeks to harness the
power of partnership.” Dr.
Walsh concluded by proposing three kinds of programs from UPF that could
enhance the partnership between Europe and Russia: Interfaith cooperation,
Peace and security consultations, and Youth service projects for peace.
As a final speaker of the first session Mr.
Jacques Marion, Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia, reminded the audience
that the founder of UPF, Dr. Sun Myung Moon emphasized that Russia should not
only link Europe with Asia but also with the North American continent by
building a tunnel under the Bering Strait. This is part of the greater vision
of an international highway for peace that would connect the world from Capetown, South Africa
to Santiago, Chile,
running of course through Europe, which would be like a modern, global version
of the “Silk Road,” aimed at stimulating not
only economic exchange and regional development but also the exchange of
peoples and cultures. This dream to connect Eurasia and North America by a road
link at the Bering Strait is now gradually
taking shape through active discussion and planning, at least on the Russian
side.
SESSION II: The European Dream and Multiethnic Russia
Chairperson: Prof.
Dr. Thomas
Kruessmann, University
of Graz, „Russian, East European and Eurasian
Studies“
Dr.
Walter Schwimmer, former Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Dr.
Henri Malosse, President of the EESC Employer's
Group
Dr. Sergey Kuchinsky, Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the Council of
the Assembly of
the Peoples of Russia
Dr. Yong
Cheon Song, Chairman,
UPF Europe
Dr. Thomas Kruessmann, a professor
at the University of Graz, as chair of the second session stated that Vienna seems to be a good
place for cross-cultural debates. Political developments are keenly observed by
the universities, and there is always the challenge to find the right responses.
He saw it as a central task to train young students to deal with Central Asia. “In comparison Russia is so close to us and we
have been familiar with its culture and literature for centuries; this is an
enormous capital to work with.”
As a first speaker Dr.
Walter Schwimmer, former Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
started his speech with the statement that there would
be no
European Dream if Russia
was not included. He reminded the audience that Russia made a strategic
choice for Europe when applying for membership
to the Council of Europe in 1992 and joining the oldest and most comprehensive
European organisation in 1996. „Today, after the tragic experiences of the 20th
century, we have the chance for the first time to create a peaceful Europe without dividing lines. Regarding Russia, this is
of course not a one way street. Both sides have to deliver. But while Russia has to complete its transition to a
member of the European family of democracies, the other part of Europe has to accept
the new Russia
as a partner with equal rights and equal opportunities. The Russians have the
right to the European dream like everybody else from the Azores
Islands to the Caspian Sea, from Iceland to Cyprus,
thereby extending the European dream to the Pacific Ocean.”
Dr.
Henri Malosse, President of the EESC
Employers' Group, was the first person in the conference to proudly announce
that the European Union was chosen to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 that
day, and he got spontaneous applause. He added that the Council of Europe
should be included as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, since it worked
through all these years to support peace. That Russia
belongs to Europe is without dispute. He
mentioned that in a survey in France
when people were asked to choose the top ten writers, among them were Russians
such as Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. Still the Iron Curtain remains in our brains,
he said. The “Western” media and politicians immediately take the anti-Russian
side in conflicts such as in Georgia.
"We have to abolish this Iron Curtain mindset." Also Russian civil
society has a right to question things happening in their country in a frank
and direct dialogue. We have to develop concrete actions to bring the European
Union and Russia
become closer. Concerning the visa issue, he said that reconciliation between
people is fundamental. “The opposition in our committee came from Poland and the
Baltic countries, because we have not had a reconciliation process involving
the people of these countries. This damages the relationship between the
European Union and Russia.
Unless we do this work we will continue to have such problems. Also the
French-German reconciliation was very difficult at the beginning. So many twin
schools and cities were made thanks to Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer.
Unless we do this also in places such as Poland, we will go nowhere.” He
ended with a small anecdote: Mr. Prodi, the former president of the European
Commission, was visited by Mr. Putin and Mr. Putin asked: “What would be your
reaction if Russia
requests to join the European Union?” It was very difficult for Mr. Prodi to
answer. Finally he said, “Look at the map. Why not! Let’s start to talk!” Dr.
Malosse's final plea to the audience was to work together for the common
destiny of Europe and Russia.
Dr. Yong Cheon Song, Chairman of
UPF-Europe, explained that this conference should be seen as the direct
expression of the deep concern that the UPF founder Dr. Moon expressed almost
exactly one year ago in a surprise early morning telephone call to organizers
of a similar event at the UN offices in Geneva. In that phone call he expressed
his heartfelt concern that Europe and Russia should work more closely together
- for their mutual benefit but, even more importantly, for the peace and well
being of neighboring nations and of the entire world. “Father Moon also
passionately advocated European unity combined with forging a strong sense of
common European identity. He felt that European unity was invaluable for its
own sake and for the benefits that it would bring to all Europeans, but even
more so for how a unified Europe, guided by its highest and most civilizing
values and empowered by its material wealth and scientific and technological
'know how', could help to foster peace in other, less fortunate and less well
endowed parts of the world. His key point was that we stand on the threshold of
a new world order. That world order will be shaped not so much by individual
nations as by blocks of nations acting for the good of humanity as a whole.”
Dr. Sergey Kuchinsky, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Council of the Assembly of the Peoples of Russia,
spoke on the role of NGOs and civil society in peace building. He noted that
NGOs are gradually taking the coordinating role in the social movement to
regulate interethnic and international relations in conjunction with government
executive and legislative bodies. After the collapse of the USSR, he said, ethnic problems based on the
rapid growth of national self-consciousness in Russia considerably aggravated.
Therefore, the most important strategic priority for public authorities and
civil society is to strengthen interethnic consent, form an all-Russia national
identity, and preserve the diversity of cultures and languages in Russian
society. In so doing the cultural and humanitarian component is very
significant.
SESSION III: Towards
a Culture of Peace - Europe and Russia
in the 21st Century
Chairperson: Dr.
Michael Platzer, Director ACUNS Vienna
Dr. Werner Fasslabend, Minister
of Defence Austria
(1990-2000)
Dr. Jan
Csarnogursky, Prime Minister of Slovakia (1991–1992)
Dr. Svetlana Karepova , Vice Director of the Institute of Socio-Political Studies of the Russian
Academy of Sciences
Dr. Marcel de Haas, Senior Research Associate, Netherlands Inst. of Internat. Relations ‘Clingendael’
Dr. Werner Fasslabend, former Minister of Defense of Austria, in
his second speech of the day, gave his analysis of the causes of enduring
skepticism on both sides of the Russia
– Europe partnership, despite the progress
made since the Cold War. He pointed out that losing the Soviet
Union’s territorial integrity had been more traumatic to Russians
than the loss of their colonies had been to the British or the French. He
suggested that modern Russia
still needed to go beyond the historical “three pillars” of autocratic rule,
orthodoxy and nation, and the traditional “ruling class-serving class” system.
He emphasized the compelling economic interdependence between the European
Union and Russia,
noting that “both must accept that we are no longer # 1 or 2 in the world, but
at best # 3 together.” He concluded that, just as Austria
benefits most from trade with its four smaller neighbors, Russia would
benefit greatly by letting its neighbor countries integrate into the European
market rather than keeping them as satellites. “Ukraine’s
integration into Europe could bring great development to a huge region from Smolensk to Saratov.”
Dr. Svetlana Karepova, Vice Director of the Institute
of Socio-Political Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave an academic
presentation on “Scientific knowledge as a necessary foundation for social
development.” She emphasized that “it is proper that the question about
including social and humanitarian sciences into the lawmaking activity and the
system of scientific management of society arises. It is necessary to legislate scientific knowledge in the legal field; there are
some steps in this direction on the level of current legislation already."
Dr. Jan Csarnogursky, former Prime Minister
of Slovakia (1991–1992), said that instead of “Toward a Culture of Peace,' the
session would better be called “Toward an Understanding of Peace.” He reminded
the audience that Russia
was historically invaded by both East and West, and that while Eastern invaders
demanded money and territory, Western invaders demanded a change of religion,
which was never accepted by Russians. Today’s demands by the
West that Russians adopt their view of human rights is likewise not
acceptable to them. Europe is Russia’s
destiny, he said. But we should listen to the Orthodox people’s opinion before
making up our minds about the “Pussy Riots,” and we cannot tell Russians that
pointing a missile at them entails no danger if they say it does. Without
mutual understanding, he concluded, Russia
will move toward Asia rather than Europe.
Dr. Marcel de Haas, a war analyst and
Senior Research Associate at the Institute
of International Relations
‘Clingendael’ in the Netherlands,
spoke on the theme of “Europe and Russia – Security Partners in a
Globalized World.” He first reviewed obstacles in aspects of the security
cooperation between Europe and Russia, such as the question of energy security,
the Georgia – Russia conflict in 2008, and Russia’s disapproval of European
security architecture and Europe’s Eastern partnership. He then reviewed
opportunities for security cooperation on civil protection, the fight against
terrorism, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to
conclude that while Europe should not treat Russia as a junior partner and
should balance demands about values with practical cooperation, Russia should
not consider the Eastern partnership as a way to broaden Europe’s influence and
need not consider Europe as a real threat in terms of weapons and terrorism,
due to its lack of capabilities and unity.
SESSION IV: Values, Visions, Identity and Cultural Plurality
Chairperson: Mr. Mark Brann, Secretary General UPF
Europe
Dr. Willem Van Eekelen, former WEU Secretary General and Defense Minister
of the Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Irina Orlova, Head, Department of Sociology and
Comparative Researches, Institute of Socio-Political Researches of Russian Academy
of Sciences
Mr.
Christian Rathner, Austrian National TV, Religion department
Dr. Erhard Busek, Vice Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (1991-1995)
Dr. Willem Van Eekelen,
former Western European Union Secretary General and Defense Minister of the Netherlands,
expressed his concern about a growing lack of ethics among Europeans, noting
that what made the European model remarkable in his eyes is its motto of
"Unity in Diversity“ practiced by 27 nations that
share the same views on human rights, market economy, and especially respect
for differences. He defined three crucial questions to be raised regarding
partnership with Russia: the
way Russia relates to its
neighbors, the problem of corruption, and Russia's
willingness – or unwillingness - to join an international framework for action,
such as in relation to Syria.
The essence of European politics, he concluded, could be summarized in the four
freedoms that US
President Franklin Roosevelt considered essential: freedom of speech, freedom
of religion, freedom from fear and freedom from want.
Dr. Irina Orlova, Head
of the Department of Sociology and Comparative Studies at the Institute of
Socio-Political Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave a presentation
on “Multiculturalism in Europe and Russia: Theory and Practice.” She mentioned
how, despite its apparently sound theory, the multicultural approach came to be
rejected as inconsistent after decades of practice by some major European
leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, because it resulted in
“potential instability and national insecurity.” Yet, she said that while in
Europe the concept of multiculturalism has proved to be unrealistic and
utopian, in Russia
it still remains part of current liberal reforms. Based on research, she concluded,
“we should focus on the fact that both in European States
and Russia
there is a basic culture that unites different parts of society, and formulate
the idea of a protected identity, a common language, and taking care of the
majority that will consolidate the community.”
Mr. Christian Rathner, a journalist on
religious affairs in the Austrian National TV (ORF), shared his experience as a
student in the Soviet Union and took the
discussion to the realm of culture. He focused on the ambiguous relationship
between political leaders and artists in Russia, such as Pushkin and Nikolai
I or Shostakovich and Stalin, but concluded that in the end the poet is the one
who remains to tell the story. He advised Europeans to listen more to Russian
artists – they are the ones who take European art most seriously. “This is what
I learnt from Russia:
read your poets, acknowledge your artists, listen to your musicians, keep the
dialogue with traditional heritage alive - and in this sense become more
European!“
Dr. Erhard Busek, former Vice
Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (1991-1995) and current EU coordinator of the
Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, said that the crucial question for
Europe and Russia was, “What
is the content of Europe?” He endorsed the
idea that “We cannot love a common market; we need to give Europe
a soul.” He especially lamented that education had been ignored by the fathers
of European integration. Taking the example of how history books in Europe differ, reflecting conflicting views of the past,
he emphasized that Europeans, including Russians, need to learn more about each
other. The Nobel Peace Prize to Europe, he said, will be justified only after Europe contributes to a peaceful world in the future.
Saturday 13th October -
NH
Danube City Hotel
SESSION V: Women in Leadership Roles in the 21st Century
Chairperson: Mrs. Yoshiko Pammer, Youth UPF Austria
Mrs.
Magdalena Vasaryova, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic,
State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia 2005-2006.
Dr. Anna Gudyma, research
associate of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Dr.
Zhannat Kosmukhamedova, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Dr. Lyudmila Fomicheva, President of the St. Petersburg Union of Journalists, President of the
Council of the North-West Branch of the Russian Association of Public Relations
Mrs. Carolyn Handschin-Moser, President WFWP Europe
Magdalena
Vasaryova, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic,
began the day with a reflection on women’s leadership. What do women bring to
public life? They bring life experience, tenderness, and a force for morality
against immorality. Women are brought up differently. We understand differently
the mechanism of communication. However, in the media, women are excluded from
decision making levels in leading newspapers. Women also lack a foundation to
support female leaders across borders. In Slovakia, the female Prime Minister
[Iveta Radièová] was criticized for not being able to hold a coalition together
and was in her position for only a year and a half.
Dr.
Zhannat Kosmukhamedova, from the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reported on her study of the “Specifics of Careers
Success.” Recalling that only 9 out of 190 heads of state are women, she noted
the unequal gender distribution among professional staff at the UNODC. Equality
of opportunity for women offered by schools, she said, is not reflected later
on in society; besides, justifications for gender inequality are usually given
in terms of biology, sociology, or psychology. She noted that the overwhelming
majority of Russian women declare that the first role of a woman is that of a
mother. She proposed that “women should decide by themselves where it is more
important to invest their resources, including the resource of time. The
problem appears when a woman is ready to come back to active professional life
after building a family. Most of her male co-workers at that moment have more
experience and significantly increased qualifications, which demands an
excessive pace development from her, and which is impossible in most cases.”
Finally posing the question: what should be done? She suggested that... men
answer that question.
Dr. Lyudmila Fomicheva, President of the St. Petersburg Union of
Journalists and President of the Council of the North-West Branch of the
Russian Association of Public Relations. Women
tend to focus on process, resources, and maintaining what has been achieved,
while men tend to focus on expanding, bringing in new clients and new
resources. The models for women political leaders have been masculine, based
initially on their fathers and grandfathers; however, women in high public
positions should not use just a masculine approach. The 20th century saw a
breakthrough in women’s rights, although this was less true in the East, unless
the women were part of a ruling clan, as in the case of Indira Gandhi in India
and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. In Russia, six of the Romanov czars
were women. Soviet ideology allowed for women’s presence in power; for example
in trade and banking, but in the capitalist era only two women have been in
charge of government ministries. For Russian women, public service has not been
a priority, and when a woman has a government position, her family may suffer
from her lack of focus on childbearing and mothering. The key to motivating
women to enter the public sphere may be to help them understand that power is a
tool for social reform. In contrast, men tend to see power as a game. A woman
head of the city of St. Petersburg
[Valentina Matvienko] did much to raise the image
of our city.
Mrs.
Carolyn Handschin-Moser, President of the Women's
Federation for World Peace-Europe, began by describing the emerging global
attention to human security as a shift from military and geopolitical issues to
a more feminine concern for protection, empowerment, consensus-building, and
institutional goodness. People talk about rights to peace, prosperity,
happiness, and justice. However, are there not corresponding duties? Isn’t a culture of peace more than just not infringing on the
rights of others? There is a big gap between cultivating inner peace and
achieving global peace. “Familyarchy” can be a model for bridging this gap; the
family unit can be the nexus for addressing social problems and a resource for
building the capacity to resolve them. In the family, people can build the
“muscles” to do what needs to be done in the larger society. Men and women can
be equal partners, critiquing each other, discussing situations, and
implementing strategies. The values instilled in the family create a framework
for lifelong attitudes and behaviors, empowering both men and women to
contribute to the greater good.
The panel was preceded the day before by a round-table discussion
among young conference participants. [For notes from that discussion, click here.]
The young delegates from Russia
and Europe used this preparatory event to get
to know each other and explore issues important to them. The youth panel was chaired
by Mr. Bogdan Pammer, Youth Director of UPF-Europe.
Ms. Claire Laurent, representing the ACUNS Vienna Liaison Office, summarized the main
topics of the discussions: (1) the question of mobility and visa-free travel
between Schengen Treaty countries and the Russian
Federation and (2) promoting a culture of volunteering,
especially in the Russian
Federation. Many were surprised to learn
that the Russian government is taking an active role in promoting volunteerism
in Russia.
Ms. Evgeniya Beginina explored the connecting elements of youth and volunteering in her
remarks. As Head of the Analytical Department of the Youth Commonwealth
Institution at the Moscow City Government, she gave an overview over the city's
efforts to promote volunteering among its young citizens. She highlighted her
institution's interest in learning from the best practices of volunteer
organizations in European countries and the structure of the volunteering
activities there. Ms. Beginina proposed to collaborate with UPF-Europe's Youth
Committee in setting up exchange programs between volunteers in Moscow and other European
cities.
Dr. Philipp Depisch is
President of the Middle European Initiative, an organization working with young leaders in
several central European nations. He shared his personal and professional
experiences in European-Russian exchange programs and cooperation. Dr. Depisch
closed his statement with a strong plea to his fellow Europeans to “approach Russia with an
open mind and cooperate with Russians on an equal level.”
Ms. Nargiz Ismailova, from the Moscow
Academy of Economics and Law, highlighted the extensive work of UPF's Young
Ambassadors for Peace throughout Russia. She stressed the value of
volunteering for the development of one's personality and said that “the future
of our nations is built on the character of our next generation.”
These inputs initiated a
fruitful discussion with questions, ideas, and contributions from the floor
centered on how to promote a culture of volunteering and young people's
participation as active citizens.
As the first speaker Dr.
Walther Lichem focused on people’s capacity for cross identification.
According to Dr. Lichem, societal development depends on our capacity to learn
how to tackle “otherness” and accept that a person cannot be defined just by
his or her ethnic background, nationality, or language. One should understand
that Identities are neither objective nor static and permanent. They are
relative, subjective, and subject to change. Civil society is an important
contributor to democracy and the implementation of human rights. Even some
states cannot reach the same level of action and networking as civil society
actors. Thus, the human rights agenda cannot be addressed without a
value-based, motivated civil society.
Dr. Evgeny S. Krasinets spoke from a
migration perspective. His institute is focusing on monitoring migration
processes in the Russian Federation,
international labor migration in the Russian Federation under the
conditions of globalization, and illegal migration and latent employment of
migrants as well as problems of female migration and trafficking. Migration
processes bring people together, and national laws influence the relationship
between migrants and nationals. For example, there are still visa issues
between the European Union and Russia.
The economic crisis has pushed people to look for jobs abroad. However, since
many nationals lost their job because of job cuts, labor migrants are not
always welcomed in a host country. Therefore there is a need for migration management.
Mr. Sergey
Suprunyuk, President of the International Super-Marathon Association, explained
how his association mobilizes adults and youth alike, connecting sports, peace,
and friendship. Created by UPF Ambassador for Peace Eduard Yakovlev, who passed
away while “running for peace” in Georgia right after the 2008 Russia-Georgia
war, the Super Marathon Association has organized ”marathons for peace” on all
continents and between many countries. Mr. Suprunyuk announced plans for a Moscow – Paris
super marathon in 2013. Participants will run in relay teams with vehicles
accompanying them, enabling one group to be always running. These marathons can
cover thousands of miles and offer an opportunity to create friendships in
every city and nation they pass through. They also organize yearly marathons on
the theme of “youth against drugs” around the Golden Ring in Moscow and promote a healthy lifestyle among
young people.
Mr. Timothy Miller, Vice-Chair of
UPF-Europe, concluded the session by presenting a moving review of the life of
UPF Founder Dr. Sun Myung Moon, based on his autobiography. Dr. Moon passed
away on September 3, 2012 in Korea
at the age of 92. His life-long dedication to building a world of peace, which
he called “One Family under God,” led him from his childhood in a small village
in Japan-dominated Korea
to create a movement active all over the world. His profound teaching has
provided the motivation and guidance for peacebuilding activities worldwide. As
he was the one who gave the incentive for this series of Europe-Russia
conferences, it was fitting to introduce his life and legacy as a global
citizen of peace.
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