President of PICREADI Natalia Burlinova's Interview to Morning in Saint Petersburg
On July 1, 2022, the Decree of the President of May 20 on the establishment of the Department for International Cooperation in the Field of Culture, Science, Education and Sports within the structure of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs came into force.
Natalia Burlinova, President of PICREADI, spoke about the new department on the air "Morning in St. Petersburg" of the St. Petersburg TV channel. Natalia answered the question of what the difference between the functionality of the new department and Rossotrudnichestvo is supposed to be, and also noted what might be of interest in the activities of the department for international cooperation for the Russian regions.
Video interview (in Russian) is available here.
Natalia Burlinova, President of PICREADI, spoke about the new department on the air "Morning in St. Petersburg" of the St. Petersburg TV channel. Natalia answered the question of what the difference between the functionality of the new department and Rossotrudnichestvo is supposed to be, and also noted what might be of interest in the activities of the department for international cooperation for the Russian regions.
Video interview (in Russian) is available here.
This is "Morning in Saint Petersburg", and we continue to brief you on the news of Saint Petersburg and entire Russia. And the news we would like to break to you right now is about a new presidential decree that came into effect on July 1st. The Decree establishes another, the 43rd, Department in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Department of International Cooperation in non-political spheres, such as culture, science, education and sport.
The news is important for the country in general, and for Saint Petersburg in particular. Right now we shall talk about international cooperation in the key spheres. Natalia Burlinova, President of Center for Support and Development of Public Initiatives "Creative Diplomacy", is with us online.
Good morning!
The news is important for the country in general, and for Saint Petersburg in particular. Right now we shall talk about international cooperation in the key spheres. Natalia Burlinova, President of Center for Support and Development of Public Initiatives "Creative Diplomacy", is with us online.
Good morning!
Natalia Burlinova: Good morning!
Isn't it true that international cooperation in culture, science and education has always been on top level for our country? Why specifically create a new department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Natalia Burlinova: The thing is, nobody has been responsible for the so-called soft power in our country. There have been different structures that filled the niches of culture, or sport, or public diplomacy. But so far, there has never a body within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate these efforts, consider them in their entirety and work with them. Experts have spoken of the necessity of a department in the Ministry – not obligatorily called a "soft power department" or "public diplomacy department" – that would consolidate all these activities, would supervise these activities and guide them strategically.
Won't the functions of the new Department overlap those of Rossotrudnichestvo?
Natalia Burlinova: No, they won't. Rossotrudnichestvo and the Ministry have different functions. Rossotrudnichestvo is an agency that practices public diplomacy, implements projects and programmes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pools all the data about international cooperation. The new Department will not implement any projects, it will do the strategic planning and control the cooperation in these specific spheres.
Am I right that the main thing is planning cooperation that will then be carried out by other agencies and organizations?
Natalia Burlinova: You are, it is about creating and controlling, the way I see it now. In any case, the Ministry does not provide any grants or implement grant programmes. It is a body of the executive power. Whereas Rossotrudnichestvo was specifically established to implement humanitarian and cultural cooperation programmes.
What opportunities will the new Department provide for the Russian regions, for Saint Petersburg?
Natalia Burlinova: I don't think the creation of this new Department is going to significantly influence the opportunities of the regions because the regions are already very active in public diplomacy and grassroot contacts. For example, right now Creative Diplomacy and the Russian International Affairs Council are doing research to evaluate the potential of every region in public diplomacy. The research will ultimately result in a Public Diplomacy Index of the Russian Regions. I am sure Saint Petersburg will be close to the top of the Index. The Department will give the regions an opportunity to communicate face-to-face with the decision-makers and receive support on the political level.
What opportunities will the new Department provide for the Russian regions, for Saint Petersburg?
Natalia Burlinova: I don't think the creation of this new Department is going to significantly influence the opportunities of the regions because the regions are already very active in public diplomacy and grassroot contacts. For example, right now Creative Diplomacy and the Russian International Affairs Council are doing research to evaluate the potential of every region in public diplomacy. The research will ultimately result in a Public Diplomacy Index of the Russian Regions. I am sure Saint Petersburg will be close to the top of the Index. The Department will give the regions an opportunity to communicate face-to-face with the decision-makers and receive support on the political level.
Ms. Burlinova, you have been engaged in public diplomacy for many years. As an expert, you must know about the plans and trends in the sphere for the nearest future. Will you kindly share your knowledge with our audience?
Natalia Burlinova: Well, I must admit, the situation is complicated now due to the geopolitical situation. Some directions are cut off. Organizations that used to cooperate with the EU and the US are adapting to the situation, changing their tracks and refocusing on other regions, other partners. BRICS, Latin America, Africa are our priorities now, and there are many projects running. Experts of Asia and Africa are riding their hobby horses now. Experts of the western countries are currently in a stand-by mode. The reason why we started to work on the Index was that the time had come to examine our own regions and their potentials, to evaluate the national potential in public diplomacy and adapt it to the current situation, too.
Thank you, Ms. Burlinova for this interesting conversation! Please don't forget that Saint Petersburg is open and well-equipped for such cooperation.
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