Medvedev's Russia Takes Progressive Steps

By Sue Gloor

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has decided to change the way Russia approaches nonprofit groups. Traditionally, Russia’s political system has not made accommodations for nonprofits and its civil sector has not been particularly focused on charity or donations, unlike other countries such as the United States.

This is probably because Russia’s history of socialism at least partly accounted for societal needs. When the Soviet Union was powerful, social provisions that are normally within the scope of nonprofit organizations were taken care of by the Communist Party.

For instance, equal rights in healthcare and the workplace were once solely promoted or restricted by the Russian government, but are now the subject of many civilian-based initiatives.

Under Medvedev’s predecessor Vladimir Putin, these types of initiatives were repressed and sometimes punished.

But President Medvedev has proven to be uniquely attentive to the benefits of groups that advocate for human rights, positive policy changes and election reform, for example, stating that Russia needs to “stimulate philanthropy” and motivate volunteers in this arena.

To meet this end, he has relaxed governmental requirements for nonprofit operation and spoken out to attract more attention to these causes.

This is an extremely progressive step for a country that has barely erased its “oppressive” label leftover from its Communist height a couple of decades ago. If Medvedev wants to change the international view of his East European country, he is going about it the right way. Activity by nonprofit groups can stimulate the poverty-stricken nation’s economy and help establish it as more liberally forward-thinking.

In a new global climate where Russia is attempting to more closely negotiate with advanced countries, like by pursuing disarmament agreements with the US, this type of progressive and open activity can only help. Russian citizens will be able to have at least some effect on their nation’s actions and will be able to express their own opinions productively and thoughtfully.