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United Nations Development Programme |
| Democracy, Governance and
Participation Programme in 1999 The UNDP Umbrella Programme in support of Democracy, Governance and Participation (DGP) in 1999 will continue to be implemented in Russia through various projects, according to Alexander Avanessov, Senior Regional Adviser and Deputy on the , UNDP/RBEC Regional Programme in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. "The Umbrella Programme involves concrete activities that the UNDP co-ordinates and develops with the assistance of several Russian government bodies, the State Duma, the Federation Council and NGOs, as well as regional administrations and legislative institutions. The programme is coordinated by the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, which makes it possible to effectivly take into account demands of numerous Russian participants", explained Mr. Avanessov. Denis Molchanov, Head of the Public and Culture Affairs Department in the Presidential Administration, pointed out that the UNDP-DGP Programme, "provides opportunities to develop projects in such areas as human rights protection and promotion, development of a civil society and citizen participation, and the capacity to build institutions dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice, the rule of law and juvenile justice". Mr. Molchanov referred to several concrete initiatives envisaged by the Programme for 1999. "In connection with the preparation of the Federal Concept on Human Rights in the 21st Century, the UNDP will invite high-ranking experts to evaluate the draft document in terms of its compliance with international standards. Another project will be launched to equip the Office of the RF High Commissioner for Human Rights with modem technical and electronic equipment, databases, staff training, etc. The projects on Drug Control and Crime Prevention become operational this year. In this case the UNDP will assist the government' by providing expertise and training and procuring equipment. The plans for 1999 also include the realisation of the Telemedicine Project, which aims at strengthening the capacities of local administrations in the Russian Far East, Sibiria and other remote areas to deal with health-sector problems and distance education." Information on other projects initiated under the DGP Umbrella Programme is detailed below. |
Great Success of the
Charity Concert. See p. 3
New Names Violin Ensemble performs at the Charity Concert organised by UNDP and UNA of Russia last December |
|
United Nations Development Programme |
| Moscow representatives study social partnership in US | |
| The delegation met with a number of non-profit
organisations involved in community development, as well as with local-government
administrators, citizen-advocacy groups, regional planning agencies, etc. They observed
and analysed the comprehensive partnership structure that exists between local government,
NGOs and the business community in the pursuit of their .The trip resulted in several concrete proposals to develop models of partnership in Moscow. Nikolai Uvarov, administration head of the Shchukino District, offered the use of his municipality as a testing ground for a model of collaborative community development. Representatives of the Academy for Public Service would like to introduce a Social Partnership Training Programme to educate civil servants and upgrade qualifications. Participants have suggested that future activities will utilise the Centre for Social Partnership as a co-ordina-tor and major "think tank" on issues concerning NGO-govern-ment interaction. Centre'' s address: |
Senator Paul Simon, Director of Institute for Policy Studies (center) had extensive discussions on social partnership issues with Moscow delegates |
| Support for Northern indigenous people | |
Indigenous women in five native communities in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) have used UNDP-purchased canvas to sew tents for local reindeer breeders. The canvas was bought as part of a programme to help set up small businesses in remote northern areas and to provide employment for indigenous women. The UNDP also allocated $120,000 to buy meat- and fish-processing equipment, which will be used by indigenous people to produce marketable food stuffs that can be sold locally and exported to other regions. Within this programme framework, the UNDP also sponsored three mini-projects to support the activities of indigenous painters and artisans. The projects will be executed in coordination with UNESCO and involve such efforts as shooting a film about the Gulun dance ensemble, publishing a catalogue of paintings by Yukagir artist Nikolai Kurilov and preparing a manual for local high schools on reindeer breeding. |
 
Samples of outwear handmade by indigenous people of the Russian North |
