Below is the daily schedule of a just-completed study trip to Moscow.
In the next week or so I hope to have notes and observations on the situation
in Russia ready for distribution, as in the past two years.
I will return to Moscow early in July, and there will be occasion to plan for
similar study trips in 1995.
Since many people who would like to participate in these courses complain of
time problems, I would like to have input now concerning that issue. In
particular I would like to know the length and period of time which you could
have available if such study trips interest you.
I prefer that trips last four weeks so that a better idea of a complex
country can be had and so that relationships with Russians can be made and
develop, but I understand that shorter periods are necessary for many people.
So, what is your pleasure: 2, 3, 4 weeks? depart in April, May, June, July,
other? special themes? language courses (5 weeks minimum)?
Eric Fenster
============
Moscow study trip schedule
May
20 Arrival in Brussels
Trip to Bruges
21 Arrival in Moscow, accommodation
22 City tour, Kremlin churches
Demonstration of use of mass transit
23 Opening of course, discussion of program
Lecture: Problems of CIS and regional relationships (VBPelitsin,
Institute of International Relations)
Video documentary: Rostov-on-the-Don in October 1993 (France,1994)
24 Lecture: Political pluralism in Russia today (Raould Matveev, Gorbachev
Foundation)
Meeting with principal and students of secondary school
25 Lecture: The social-economic crisis and the programs of the various
political forces (Alexandr Buzgalin, Moscow State University)
Video documentary: The Struggle for Russia (Frontline, May 1994)
Evening of Ballet
26 Lecture: The civilizational destiny of Russia (Boris Erasov, Oriental
Institute)
Video documentary: Village of Kirzhatch, 1993 (France, 1993)
Ballet (self-organized)
27 Lecture: Problems of Russian history in the 20th century (Sergei
Zasorin, Moscow Pedagogical University)
Discussion with staff of social security and unemployment services in
Siberia and Chechenya (attending continuing education courses in
Moscow)
28 Izmailovsky Park
Group discussion
Circus
29 Central House of Artists
Boat ride on Moscow River
30 Lecture: Russia's new constitutional system (Marat Baglai, Academy of
Labor)
Field visit to children's books publisher (a state-owned enterprise in
transition)
31 Lecture: The current state of the trade union movement in Russia (Yury
Milovidov, (Consultant)
June
01 Lecture: The history of the work ethic in Russia (Mark Lapitsky,
Researcher)
Video documentaries
Meeting with students of Academy of Labor
02 Meeting with Vladimir Akimov of the "new official" trade union (FITUR)
and with Vadim Solovyov of the union "Defense." Continuation of lecture
by Milovidov.
Visit to Novodevichy convent
03 Participation in the first plenary session of the international
conference, "Socialism, the lessons of crisis."
Free time
04 Free time
Visit to WW2 memorial and museum
05 Visit to the churches and museum in Sergeev-Posad
06 Visit to agricultural machinery factory which has been privatized
and has lost most of its workers
07 Social security and social protection in Russia (Mariana Kuchma)
08 Lecture: The Russian economy,present and future (Mikhail Voeykov,
Moscow State University)
Visit to private dairy farm which has had its pasture land taken
back in violation of its lease
09 Problems of transition to market economy (Voeykov)
Visit to Pushkin Museum
Variety show
10 Depart for Vladimir
Visit to historic sites of Vladimir and to Bogoliubovo
11 Visit to crystal museum at Gus-Khrustalny
Open discussion with Vladimir host
12 Visit of Suzdal
Return to Moscow
13 Discussion: National harmony or social struggle (Matveev)
Free time
Ballet, "Korsar"
14 Discussion: Criminality in Russia and the activities of law enforcement
agencies (Col. Edouard Petrov, Academy of the Ministry of the Interior)
Discussion with woman who started a publishing house whose profits
were meant to support cultural activities (U. Kemelbekova)
15 Visit to commodities exchange (scheduled)
Meeting with member of the Duma from Russia's Choice (Gaidar faction)
Meeting with member of Duma from Communist Party
16 The development of the banking structure in Russia (Mikhail Davtyan,
Academy of Labor
Meeting with member of Duma from Yaboloko (Yavlinsky faction)
Meeting with representative of Liberal-Democratic Party (Zhirinovsky)
17 Group discussion
Closing of course
Free time
18 Return to USA
