The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Residing Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation ROSSOTRUDNICHESTVO
The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Residing Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), founded in accordance with Decree number 1315 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated 6 September 2008, having taken its place in the system of organizations state authority and governance, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation of the Russian Federation, has become an effective instrument for implementing the concept of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in the field of strengthening and expanding international humanitarian cooperation. The systemization of this work, along with its new conceptualization, the development of fresh innovative approaches, while taking into account the rapidly changing realities of our modern world, are now the main tasks of Rossotrudnichestvo.
The activities of the Agency are primarily focused on fortifying an objective perception of modern Russia, its material and spiritual potential, preserving and expanding both the language and cultural presence of Russia throughout the rest of the world, while carrying out the principles of “public diplomacy” in order to develop and reinforce friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between nations.
Rossotrudnichestvo conducts this work through the organization of active, systematic, and goal-oriented efforts of its representative abroad: the Russian Center of Science and Culture, which currently operates in 77 countries around the world. Decree number 1283 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated 13 November 2009, approved the Provision for the representatives of Rossotrudnichestvo the Russian Center of Science and Culture located abroad and the representative of this Agency as part of the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation, which significantly broadens the authorities of the centers, and makes possible a modern, qualitatively new level of operation.
The Agency actively cooperates in scientific, cultural, informational, and humanitarian fields with Russian and foreign public authorities, as well as with international, regional, and non-governmental organizations. Rossotrudnichestvo actively manages a number of federal target programs in the humanitarian field with close cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and other organizations of federal authority in the Russian Federation.
A primary focus of activity for the Agency are the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. While closely cooperating with the executive structures of the Commonwealth countries, Rossotrudnichestvo, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation of Russia and other Russian ministries, participates in the development and implementation of development support programs in the CIS regions, coordination of activities for the preservation and expansion of stable relations with the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the expansion of inter-regional and near-border cooperation.
A significant percentage of Rossotrudnichestvo’s and its overseas institutions informational activity is comprised of the familiarization of international citizens with Russia’s external policy, the carrying out of large international events with the participation of prominent public and political figures and scientists. Such meetings, while attracting a wide variety of participants, as a rule, have the nature of public-political dialogue, with expert evaluations at the non-governmental level, promoting deeper understanding and comparisons between the positions of the participants.
The Agency possess a system of operations for supporting the Russian language abroad, promoting Russian educational services, increasing cooperation between educational institutions in partner countries, as well as working with graduates of Russian (and Soviet) universities.
In many countries throughout the world, Russian language courses taught in the overseas institutions of Rossotrudnichestvo are taken part in by thousands of people. Overseas representatives of Rossotrudnichestvo facilitate the enrollment of foreign students into Russian institutes and maintain long-term relations with their graduates.
One of the important directions of Rossotrudnichestvo is its work with compatriots, strengthening connections with the Russian Diaspora overseas, improving its role and influence in the countries of residence, preserving the ethniccultural identity of our fellow countrymen, and extending their opportunities for obtaining an education in Russia. Our overseas compatriots see the establishment of the Agency as an increased level of focus from the Russian government for addressing their individual problems and many have already expressed their willingness to assist with the implementation of various programs of a humanitarian nature. In conjunction with the MFA of Russia, other ministries and authorities, as well as administrations across the regions of the Russian Federation, Rossotrudnichestvo has undertaken direct participation in the implementation of federal and regional programs for the support of overseas compatriots, and informational assistance with the government’s program for cooperation with the voluntary resettlement of compatriots back to the Russian Federation. Our representatives work in close cooperation with compatriot associations, their coordinating councils, and in most countries are seen by our compatriots as Russian Homes, where one can always feel a part of the Motherland, a place to find both support and understanding.
A significant responsibility of our centers is that of strengthening the positions of Russian culture, while familiarizing overseas citizens with the richest Russian cultural heritage and modern Russian art. This includes organizing various Russian cultural festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and Russian cinematic events, with participation by the leading masters of Russian culture. Traditional events include the commemoration of Russia Day, Victory Day, the Day of National Unity, as well as jubilee and commemorative anniversaries in the history of the Russian Federation.
We pay very close attention to issues involving scientific and technical cooperation. As part of this work, the Russian Center of Science and Culture together with partner sites host scientific-technical exhibitions, science conferences, and academic meetings.
With great emphasis on the development of the principles of “public diplomacy”, the Agency renders support for the activity of the Russian Association of International Cooperation (RAMS), societies of Russian friendship with foreign countries, and actively cooperates with various non-governmental organizations.
At present, Rossotrudnichestvo faces the serious task of expanding international humanitarian cooperation as an instrument of “soft power” with its specific forms and methods of influence on public opinion in order to promote the national interests of Russia and the fortification of its international authority. Our goal is that of transforming the Russian Centers of Science and Culture which are located overseas into fully-fledged, multifunctional information-cultural centers of the Russian Federation, which, with all their many-dimensional focuses, will continue to serve the good cause of the development of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between nations.
Regulatory documents specifying the activity of Rossotrudnichestvo
- Decree number 1315 of the President of the Russian Federation regarding various issues of state governance in the field of international cooperation, dated 6 September 2008.
- Provision on the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Residing Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (approved by Decree number 1315 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated 6 September 2008).
- Decree number 1488 of the President of the Russian Federation regarding the Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Residing Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, dated 17 October 2008.
- Decree number 1283 of the President of the Russian Federation regarding the Approval of the Provision on the representation of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Residing Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation — the Russian Center of Science and Culture located overseas and the representation of this Agency as part of the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation, dated 13 November 2009.
Authority and Functions of Rossotrudnichestvo
Rossotrudnichestvo performs its activities in cooperation with other Federal executive authorities, executive agencies of the constituent divisions of the Russian Federation, local government organizations of municipal entities, as well as public and state groups. Beyond the borders of the Russian Federation, Rossotrudnichestvo carries out its activities through the representation of Rossotrudnichestvo — the Russian Center of Science and Culture located overseas, or through its representatives as part of the diplomatic missions of the Russian Federation.
Rossotrudnichestvo:
- Implements the functions of the state procurer (state client-coordinator) for the corresponding Federal and Departmental target programs and interstate target programs which the Russian Federation actively participates in.
- Cooperates together with executive authorities in the established manner with international and regional organizations, established by the Russian Federation in cooperation with the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
- Coordinates and controls the implementation of solutions for inter-state multilateral and bilateral integrated associations with the participation of the Russian Federation, established as part of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
- Develops and implements, in consultation and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and other Federal executive authorities, support programs for the individual states of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and renders assistance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation while carrying out the joint foreign political activities of the Russian Federation in relation to the established coordination of programs in the field of international humanitarian cooperation.
- Cooperation in scientific, cultural, economic, informational, and humanitarian spheres with Russian non-commercial, non-governmental, and religious organizations, as well as with public and non-governmental groups of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States, other foreign states, and with various international and regional organizations.
- Cooperates with other Federal executive authorities during the implementation of state policies aimed at supporting compatriots residing abroad.
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