Report from Russia: Yaroslavl

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June 12, 2006

Dear CCI friends,

In outlying Russian cities, CCI has no representatives. Somehow or another Russia's entrepreneurs learn about and apply for PEP, then interview in the nearest CCI office.

One such place is Yaroslavl, another thousand-year-old city north of Moscow. Our CCI Dubna Director, Madina Bikbulotova and I arrived by auto after a four-hour drive through forests, small towns and rural communities. The route felt like moving through Russian history: ancient churches, wooden villages in various states of repair, vacated "one-industry" towns erected by Soviet power, and small communities of new well-built private, red brick residences - and between these communities... the ever-present rich, thick, ageless Russian forests.

Seven PEP Fellows met us in an elegant Yaroslavl restaurant (pre-Revolutionary home of an opera singer, converted to communal flats in Soviet era, and now renovated to perfection as a classy eatery). High-end furniture and classical music were enjoyed along with exquisite food, at a price of about $40 per person. Down the streets were restaurants where good meals (sans luxurious surroundings) cost 80 rubles ($3).

PEP Fellows from years 1998 to 2004 took their seats quietly around the table. Unease among them was obvious, since none had previously met. (The distrust among citizens was compounded by the Soviet era, and it is yet to be overcome.) Madina tried to warm the table a bit by telling them how PEP associations were forming in other cities and the value it has been to local PEP Fellows. Similarly I, and Pat Dowden, a CCI board member, asked questions which began to open up the closed-down spaces around the table. Their first questions were: For what reason was CCI created? Why did you create PEP?

Thus ensued a night of conversation in which gradually the entrepreneurs began telling their PEP stories and the influence of American companies and homes on their businesses and personal lives. Several toasts (wine, not vodka) were offered to CCI, PEP, Madina, after which their stories became quite touching.

At one point, Vladimir Veterkov (PEP Telecom delegation #165 hosted in Kansas, 2001) held up his glass and wistfully reported, "The PEP influence was truly huge on my company, but I want to say that the most important element for me was living in two homes. It was in their families that I learned about the "heart" of America, I began to understand your great and ordinary people, I began to feel that Americans are our friends. They were so open to us, so kind, so warm. It was the most important thing about PEP for me." Shortly after the toast, Vladimir rose spontaneously and exuberantly exclaimed, "To perfect LC (local coordinator), Mox Klom!!! (Max Klamm, Kiwanian of Kansas City Kiwanis Club).

Earlier that afternoon we were taken to another entrepreneur's place of business. Near the center of Yaroslavl we entered a gate and into a dingy old backyard of some small industrial buildings. A nondescript sign on wall said YMKA. Opening the door we found ourselves in a Russian version of the YMCA, having been brought here by the founder, Nicolai Kurochkin, who earlier had interned at Philadelphia's YMCA. The interior of the premises looked like a well-used, busy community center: a large room for group meetings, comfortable chairs, a non-alcoholic bar, a pool table; a larger room with fitness equipment and mirrors on the wall; several smaller rooms for family consultations; areas for classes on photography and skills development; even a sleep over room for out of town guests; and finally a tiny YMCA office for personnel, most of whom are volunteers. A terrific CD Powerpoint presentation showed us the depth of penetration this Y has into Yaroslavl's citizenry.

Next we met with the most energetic, community-directed, group of inspired Russians one can imagine. These volunteers had their own plans of how to grow their YMCA, weren't looking for handouts, are being financed by their programs for which ordinary local citizens pay and by local entrepreneurs (one of whom was present). The group estimated their reach is tens of thousands of Yaroslavl citizens, if one counts Y public programs which sounded like street campaigns promoting HIV education, summer camps in local wilderness areas, and other educational "family well-being" activities throughout the year. Nicolai was somewhat self-deprecating, continuously reflecting accolades to others, which they admiringly turned back in his direction. It's obvious that this visionary is in elementary stages of his grand vision for Yaroslavl and his country. Although Yaroslavl is a fourth or fifth tier Russian city, Nicolai is the all-Russia Coordinator for YMCA.

Nicolai, is not alone. He is one of tens of thousands of new Russian community leaders (both business and social) springing up throughout this country. They are driven by a personal zeal so firm that nothing will stop them, not politics, not economics, not local bureaucrats. They are the future of Russia!

I ponder WHY is bad news on Russia so prevalent? What are the psychological reasons? Are foreign journalists in Moscow intrigued with salacious stories, is it because lurid headlines sell newspapers, do we need to put another country down (Russia in particular) in order to "feel" ourselves "up"? Do we use Russia as a smoke screen for our own national challenges? It is because these ordinary people of Russian society can't be found for interviews? (If so, we at CCI can make them available to journalists.) I once had a Moscow-based journalist (after invitation to travel with me) say: "I'll do anything to cover a new story on Russia - except go to the styx to get it." Well, the story is in the styx - not in Moscow. Moscow is a rapidly revolving zoo. Yes, it has it's own importance, but it's not nearly as important as we dream it to be - or as current Muscovites, including transient office holders, think it to be.

FYI, the investment America made in ordinary Russians across 89 regions in Russia throughout the 90s and the early 2000s, is one of the most powerful stories in Russia today - and this would be obvious if journalists and academics would get outside of Moscow, stay awhile in the regions - and "listen". The US legacy out there is pure GOLD - and needs to be discovered - particularly during this period in which our two nations are currently moving. These days, a new "Cold War" is being talked about as an option between America and Russia. Can you imagine? THIS IS SHEER INSANITY. Russia doesn't want it - we and the world certainly don't need it. Journalists and pundits pursuing this direction are acting in the worst interests of both countries.

Excuse my heated concern regarding our mono-lens view on Russia, but I'd like to draft you to help come up with some solutions to this patently dangerous trend in which we as a nation find ourselves.

Bows to you for all you are doing to make the world a saner and safer place in which to live,

Sharon Tennison
President

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