I. Realizing a Program of Social Reforms in Russia by the Year 2000 is Problematic
I. Realizing a Program of Social Reforms in Russia by the Year 2000 is Problematic
A parliamentary hearing took place on December 10 titled "A Program of Social Reforms in the Russian Federation For The Period 1996-2000." The program was developed by a state commission led by V. Chernomyrdin. Leaders of ministries and independent social foundations, the Russian Academy of Sciences, State Duma deputies, and leaders of unions and social organizations for veterans and people with disabilities also took part in the work of the commission.
In the opinion of the members of the commission, conducting round tables on various topics with the participation of social groups of experts made possible the development of a clear program of action for the quickest possible deliverance from the crisis in the social sphere. One of the causes of the crisis is the chronic shortage of state funds, which limits the state's capabilities in this area. People's income level at this time is roughly 40% lower than it was in 1991, and around one quarter of the population have incomes below the minimum necessary for survival. Inadequate financing has greatly intensified the problems of supporting state institutions in the areas of education, science, culture, and public health.
The program contemplates reforms in the area of labor and labor relations and the solution of the problems of employment and unemployment�.Especially singled out were a policy on migration, the formation of a system of social insurance and pensions for citizens, and improving the system of social security for the population.... Separate parts of the program are dedicated to reforms in the system of education and public health and also in the realms of culture, sport, and relaxation.
Opinions at the hearing on the program under discussion differed. The authors of the program, noting its positive aspects, expressed confidence in the possibility of its realization in the contemplated period. Others who spoke, including the leader of the State Duma committee on labor and social policy S. Kalashnikov and the leader of the committee on public health N. Gerasimenko as well as Duma deputy E. Pamfilova, made a series of critical observations�.Mr. Kalashnikov in particular noted that "this program has no conception of the minimum income necessary for survival nor of minimum wages, pensions and allowances. The initial link in this little chain of social programs and reforms should be [providing] the minimum necessary to live on. The program contemplates resolving the problems as early as 1996. The year has passed, and we could have hoped for better progress. The government's program is very unrealistic." In his presentation Mr. Gerasimenko noted that "Russia ranks 43rd among the nations of the world in gross per capita income. Our death rate is very high. A depopulation is taking place. In 1940 there were 4 to 5 workers for every person who did not work. In 1996 there are only 1.8. By 2005 in Russia it will be impossible to conduct a normal military draft because of the low birth rate and negative democratic progress."
At the end it was noted that the program of social reforms to the year 2000 that had been prepared is necessary, important, and socially significant, but its realization remains problematic.
II. "The Bee" on the Internet
The monthly journal of the activities of nongovernmental organizations "The Bee" and the company Nevalink, one of the oldest Internet service providers in St. Petersburg, have started a common Internet program called "Charity." Through this project, Nevalink will connect a number of disabilities organizations of the city to the Internet�. Nevalink will also pay for the use of global cybernetic resources, if only in a small amount.
It is gratifying to note that The Bee, which has become popular but which is published in small numbers, will become accessible to users of global networks. At the end of December not only those associated with social security organizations in St. Petersburg, but all users of the World Wide Web and fortunate e-mail users will have access to this information resource, which is unique for Northwest Russia.
The Internet address for The Bee on the World Wide Web is: http://www.spb.ru/ptchela. You may subscribe by e-mail (a simple letter to the address [email protected]).
III. The Municipal Court of Kimra has Recognized the Right of Sergi Rebrov, a Member of the Radical Party, to Conscientious Objector Status
On December 5 the municipal court of Kimra (Tver oblast), under the chairmanship of Judge Dmitrii Vlasov, decided to grant the appeal of draftee Sergei Rebrov from an unlawful action of the draft board. On October 23 of this year Radical Party member Rebrov informed the draft board of his refusal to perform military service on the basis of his convictions and demanded that he be given alternative civil service in accord with Article 59, Section 3, of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
As usual, the draft commission denied this request, citing the lack of a statute on alternative civil service. [Translator's note: During the Soviet period, rights specified in the constitution were unenforceable in the absence of a statute implementing them.] On October 30, Mr. Rebrov appealed this unlawful action of the draft commission to the municipal court. Now under the decision of the court, conscientious objectors have received a deferral of military service until a law on alternative civil service, the first reading of which took place in the State Duma as far back as 1994, is adopted.
The Procurator of the city of Kimra, Mr. Tatintsev, said in his presentation [to the court] that although he does not personally share Mr. Rebrov's convictions, nonetheless his demands are absolutely in accordance with law since they are based on the Constitution, and he asked the court to grant the appeal.
Contact telephone for the Radical Party: (095) 293-9127; e mail: [email protected], [email protected].
IV. Krasnoyarsk: The Nonprofit Organization "Echo" (USA) Opens a New Center for Assistance for Civic Activities
Parents and teachers interested in issues of democratic instruction and the development of civil society may seek assistance from the Center for Assistance for Civil Activities. The task of the center is instruct pupils in democratic principles, inculcate democratic values in everyday life, and create civil society at the local level.
In [the Center's] library and reading room you can find various materials in Russian and English on a wide range of issues on the theory and method of teaching in the area of civil education, democratic instruction, and the development of civil society.
The Center's staff provide individual consultation to teachers and parents at any time without prior appointments, assist in establishing connections with Russian and foreign colleagues, and every month conduct meetings of discussion groups.
The opening of the center was made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Public Education of the Sovietskii Region and School No. 149 in Krasnoyarsk.
The address of the Center for Assistance for Civic Activities is Krasnoyarsk, ul. Vesny, d. 9a.
Contact telephone: (3912) 21-57-06 (Albert Decie or Tat'iana Buinovskaia). E mail: [email protected].
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