Report on the State of Civil Society in the Russian Federation in 2013
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2013 REPORT ON THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2013 REPORT ON THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2013 REPORT ON THE STATE www.oprf.ru MOSCOW 2013 2013 REPORT ON THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION MOSCOW 2013 Contents Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation - 2013 Report on the State of Civil Society in the Russian Federation. - M.: Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, 2013. CONTENTS This Report was drafted by Inter-Commission Task Force consisting of: E. P. Velikhov (Chairman), M. V. Ostrovsky (Vice-Chairman), D. V. Biryukov, L.A. Bockeria, V. V. Grib, P. N. Gusev, L. V. Davydov, N. A. Daikhes, I. E. Diskin, A. N. Kanshin, M. V. Kovalchuck, Ya. I. Kuzminov, A. G. Kucherena, P. A. Pozhigailo, V. O. Potanin, S. V. Razvorotneva, N. K. Svanidze, E. V. Semenyako, A. V. Sokolov, E.A. Topoleva-Soldunova, and V. A. Fadeyev. Introduction................................................................................................... 5 The Report is based on the input from various committees, work teams, and institutions of Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. The drafters acknowledge contributions of CC members F. Yu. Albakova, B. L. Altshuller, A. N. Arbuzov, N. I. Vavilova, V. M. Lagkuiev, S. A. Markov, D. I. Miloslavskaya, and I. V. Mersiyanova, Director of the Center for Studies of Civil Society and Nonprofit Sector (CSCSNS), the National Research University Institutions of Civil Society........................................................................... 6 “Higher School of Economics” (HSE); I. V. Zadorin, Head of the Zircon Research Group, E. S. Petrenko, Research Director of the Public Opinion Fund, A. L. Koshman, Executive 1.1.. Levels.of.social.cooperation......................................................... 8 Director of the Nonprofit Partnership “Alliance of Independent Regional Publishers”, V. 1.2.. The.nonprofit.sector.in.progress................................................ 17 G. Murav’yova, Social Project Manager of the Social Information Agency, T. V. Timkova, Researcher of the Institute for Social Development Studies of the National Research 1.3.. Philanthropy.and.volunteer.work................................................ 40 University “Higher School of Economics” (HSE), O. V. Shumburova, Member of the 1.4.. Local.government.and.community.development........................ 50 Lawyers for Civil Society Nonprofit Partnership, V. D. Melnikova, Member of the Public Council of the RF Defense Ministry, Executive Secretary of the Russian Soldiers’ Mothers 1.5.. Informal.engagement.and.spontaneous.self- Committee, A. M. Golovatyuk, Vice-Chairman and Official Secretary of Voluntary organization.of.individuals.................................................................. 58 Association for the Support of Army, Air Force and Navy (DOSAAF), B. A. Adokhin, Director of the Moscow Center for Social Adaptation of Officers Resigned from Military and Law Enforcement Bodies, and their Families, T. V. Ruban, President of the National Public Organization for the Protection of Servicemen’s Survivors, A. M. Kozlov, Senior Deputy Executive Director of the National Center for the Public Supervision of Housing Management and Utilities Sector “HMU Oversight”, G. V. Burtseva and S. S. Sokhranov, Civil Society in the Context of Inter-Sector Relations................................. 30 Deputies Executive Director of the National Center for the Public Supervision of Housing Management and Utilities Sector “HMU Oversight”. 2.1.. Platforms.for.the.dialogue.between.society.and.state................ 66 2.2.. Developments.in.the.area.of.public.watch.................................. 80 The Report was approved by Plenary Meeting of Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation on 20 December 2013. 2.3.. Mass.media.as.the.communication.environment.of. inter-sector.relations.......................................................................... 87 Members of the Editorial Board: T. G. Nasriddinov, T. S. Ilarionova, G. N. Bibikov, L. S. Maikovskaya, O. N. Tishkova, S. Z. Aminova, A. S. Yudin, and R. E. Gadirov. Head of the Executive office - A.F.Radchenko Translated from Russian into English - L.E.Pereyaslavtseva Relevant Agenda 2013 in the Eyes of Civil Society.................................... 39 3.1.. Legal.culture.and.the.protection.of.civil.rights............................ 98 3.2.. Interethnic.relations.and.the.freedom.of.conscience................ 101 3.3.. Addressing.the.social.issues.................................................... 108 3.4.. Civil.society.and.the.Army..Veterans......................................... 117 3.5.. Education.................................................................................. 127 3.6.. Culture...................................................................................... 136 3.7.. Environmental.sector................................................................ 141 3.8.. National.health.and.the.quality.of.life........................................ 146 © Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, 2013 REPORT ON THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2013 5 3.9.. Russian.civil.society.at.global.scene:.public.diplomacy. and.protection.of.Russians.overseas................................................ 153 This annual Report on the State of Civil Society in the Russian Federation was pre- pared pursuant to Article 22 of the Federal Law No. 32-FZ “On Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation” of April 4, 2005. Conclusion.................................................................................................. 79 The first section of this Report focuses on key institutions of civil society such as non- profit organizations (NPOs) and other public associations, local government, as well as the reasons for and forms of civic engagement. This section provides statistical and sociological data which relate to nonprofit sector of the Russian Federation and de- scribe its economic “portrait” and infrastructure, reviews the relevant legislative ini- tiatives, moral climate, levels of coherence and confidence in the Russian society, and discusses the social preferences of Russian people. The second section considers the dialogue between civil society and the government, activities of public councils and civic chambers, the development of civic watch and public evaluation system in our country, shows the role of mass media as the institute of civil society. The third section discusses the main forms of civic engagement and new public initia- tives seen in 2013. 6 REPORT ON THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2013 INTRODUCTION 7 All of these steps appeared insufficient to avoid social issues and confrontations com- INTRODUCTION pletely. Some of them developed to a sharper extent, threaten to destabilize the situa- tion in regions and affect the federal policy. The public opinion was strongly concerned about the changed status of the Russian Remarkable events of 2013 have highlighted both the commitment of the civil society Academy of Science. Opposing to the revision of funding arrangements and asset for self-organization and the availability of considerable potential of efficient partner- management of the Academy, many employees of Moscow and other cities’ research ship between public and government, but at the same time the factors that impede the institutes undertook protest actions and sign-in campaign. sound and constructive discussion including those within the civil society itself. The year has demonstrated that the crisis of relations between the government and society Mass street protest in Pugachyov of Saratovskaya Oblast and Biryulevo-Zapadnoye is more likely to result from the “growth challenges” than from the stagnation. district of Moscow against immigrants having committed crimes ended up with civil disorder and violence. The “third sector” appeared more enthusiastic first of all about fighting the conse- quences of natural disasters. Grassroots organizations and individuals offered active These bursts of protest have again demonstrated the deficiency of proper arrange- help to those affected. One of the most important examples is provided by the flood ments for the cooperation between people and authorities. There is an urgent need in the Far East: thousands people from various regions responded to this disaster by in broader room for the dialogue. Additional opportunities are required for earlier sending money to support their fellow-countrymen in hardship. identification and prevention of potential conflicts. Partners to the dialogue should become more comprehensible and transparent for each other. These are the key needs Another striking instance of civil consolidation was observed on the single voting day which the state policy of the “third sector” relations was centered on in 2013. Its most 8 September 2013. Numerous volunteers were watching the procedure at election sta- recent results include a noticeable growth of state funding with concurrent significant tions to ensure that the elections run transparent. enhancement of governmental supervision implemented, for instance, through pros- ecutor’s inspections and introduction of the Federal Law on “foreign agents”. The year 2013 has seen some institutional changes. Several legislative instruments introduced changes to the composition of the Russian Civic Chamber, such as an At present, our country faces serious challenges on its way of social and economic increased number of members (these changes are