NGOs, Philanthropy, and the Fate of Democracy in Russia

12:00 p.m.
Welcome and introduction by WILLIAM SCHAMBRA, Hudson Institute

12:05
Opening remarks by RICHARD WEITZ, Hudson Institute

12:10
Panel discussion
ARIEL COHEN, Heritage Foundation
NIKOLAS GVOSDEV, Nixon Center
ALEXANDER LIVSHIN, Hudson Institute
RICHARD WEITZ, moderator, Hudson Institute

12:45
Question-and-answer session

2:00
Adjournment  

Event Description

The Russian government declared 2006 "The Year of Philanthropy." On January 10, 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a controversial bill regulating Russia’s non-governmental organizations. The act requires NGOs operating in Russia to register again with the government, disclose their sources of aid, and undergo expanded state auditing of their practices. Citing human rights concerns, the U.S. Department of State promised to monitor very carefully the implementation of the law's provisions.

On Friday, May 5, 2006, William Schambra of Hudson Institute's Bradley Center was joined by the Heritage Foundation's Ariel Cohen, Nikolas Gvosdev of The National Interest and The Nixon Center, and Alexander Livshin of Moscow State University to explore this question: What are the implications of Russia's new NGO law for the nonprofit sector, civil society, and democracy in Russia today? Richard Weitz, senior fellow and associate director of Hudson Institute's Center for Future Security Strategies, moderated the discussion. Over one hundred people attended.  

Media Mentions  

An article prepared by two of the panelists based upon their presentations appeared in the May 2006 issue of the International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law, online at http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/ijnl/vol8iss3/special_2.htm.    

For Further Information  

The event summary was prepared by Richard Weitz. To request further information on this event, the transcript, or the Bradley Center, please contact Hudson Institute at (202) 974-2424 or e-mail Kristen at kmcintyre@hudson.org.