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Archive for May, 2009

Russia’s Priorities

Posted in Uncategorized on May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Recently President Medvedev presented the country’s budget to the Duma. Normally the Finance Minister presents budget, so some believe that the President,  by being the messenger, wanted to highlight the priority he places on this budget.  Russia, as the rest of the world, has been negatively affected by this financial crisis. Higher oil prices and [...]

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Reforms in Russia – A Local Perspective

Posted in Community Interest Stories on May 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Often the press reports on what is perceived as the “erosion of democracy” in Russia. What is not often reported is how Russia, through its reforms, is shaping citizen engagement in its country.  A few years ago the Russian government passed Law 131 – not something that you might have read about – but it [...]

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Russia in the Global Storm – a Regional View

Posted in Community Interest Stories on May 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Russia in the Global Storm was the topic of a presentation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last month. One of the presenters, Zeljko Bogetic from the World Bank, cautioned that Russia’s “lack of attention towards greater social safety net programs was worrisome.” He went on to say that it is estimated that 4.7 [...]

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The Power of Partnership

Posted in Community Interest Stories on May 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Yesterday I met with several members of the Great Baikal Trail Organization and their American partners to learn more about what they have been doing since we gave them a grant many years ago. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to appreciate, again, what people can do when united in a common purpose. [...]

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