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St. Petersburg Conference
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Major Events
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CCI organized the Entrepreneurs–Leaders of Russia Conference to probe the roots of public corruption and provide regional entrepreneurs with tools to defeat corrupt practices. The conference initiated a process to identify, inventory, monitor and report a myriad of absurd regulations and conflicting laws that impede the development of Russia’s small and medium-sized business sector.
Over 200 CCI Fellows and other U.S. government internship alumni from 50 Russian cities across Russia’s eleven time zones attended this invitation-only conference. The conference agenda, arranged for maximum input from conferees, featured short plenary sessions, entrepreneurial panels, open microphones to capture audience input, and forty industry-specific round tables. Plenary sessions were led by advisors to President Putin and seasoned CCI entrepreneurs who have dealt openly with corruption. All input was documented on videotape for future use.
 Igor Yuknaevich, PEP Fellow, addressing the conference |
Conference presentations were electric, audience participation was immediate and personal examples of official obstructions were voiced without hesitation. Roundtable meetings pinpointed the worst offenses directed toward business owners. Practical solutions were sought with the plan to deliver them to President Putin and his advisors. Small groups of newfound colleague conspirators met in informal settings outside of official sessions, being bonded after hearing each other speak.
 St. Petersburg Conference opening remarks |
The tenor of conferees in 2002 was markedly different from two years ago when Russia’s entrepreneurs were fearful to speak about abuses of power. Conferees raved about the importance of hearing others’ experience and the empowerment felt upon learning how other counterparts have addressed these hot issues.
A Journal of Conference Proceedings, to be used as an educational tool for entrepreneurs across Russia’s regions, is in process. A Bank of Absurdities and Recommendations are in progress and will be sent to President Putin and his economic advisors upon completion in early 2003.