I. The Initiative Group "Common Action" Calls Russians to the Struggle for Human Civil and Economic Rights

On April 25, 1997, several well known human rights and social activists in Russia (Liudmila Alekseeva, Elena Bonner, Larisa Bogoroz, Sergei Kovalev, Valerii Borshchev, Valerii Abramkin, and others) created the Initiative Group for Unity in the Defense of Civil and Economic Rights in the Russian Federation ("Common Action"). By 1998, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the group plans to develop an "Action Program for Nongovernmental Organizations." At its first meeting the initiative group adopted an appeal in which it called the citizens of Russia to active work in the struggle for human civil and economic rights.

In particular the appeal states:

"The initiative group 'Common Action' will publicize facts of violations of human rights, political persecution, torture, and illegal arrests. It will support initiatives aimed at legal education, at people's defense of the right to an adequate wage for their labor, at the creation of social mechanisms for the realization of human civil and economic rights under current conditions, at the creation of forms of social control of the actions of the authorities and law enforcement agencies, and at bringing Russian legislation into compliance with the basic principles of the [Universal Declaration of Human Rights].

"We see the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration as a time of active work by Russian society for human civil and economic rights. "Only the actualization of these rights can be the basis for the creation of a state based on law and can prevent a return to totalitarianism in Russia."

Telephone: 206-8684; 206-8276

II. The Special Olympics Movement for Developmentally Disabled Children is Established in Russia

"Once upon a time there lived in the United States a woman named Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, from the famous presidential family the Kennedys. One day she decided to gather at her home in Maryland some not very healthy little boys and girls and to play sports with them in their own way. And a miracle happened! The little boys and girls, brought together by physical activity, grew healthier. They gradually gained confidence in their own abilities, and through sports learned the joy of friendship." This is how the general director of the Russian Special Olympics program Tat'iana Aleshina began her report on the International Special Olympics Organization (the Special Olympics).

Today the Special Olympics movement can be called universal. It unites more than 150 countries. The movement is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Millions of people with developmental disabilities who have participated in it have ceased to feel isolated in society and have gained hope of happiness.

The movement has its own philosophy and traditions. The basic condition for a Special Olympics program in a country is that it organize year round training exercises in 23 Olympic sports. Participation in competitions is also required. The motto for these competitions is: "Everyone can succeed!"

In Russia, the Special Olympics movement is being actively developed in 30 different regions. The Special Olympics in St. Petersburg and Moscow are particularly successful, along with those in Omsk, Yaroslavl, Volgograd and Saratov oblasts, and the Republics of Karelia and Marii-El. Approximately 1,500 Russian children have joined the Special Olympics. In Moscow alone nearly all of the special schools and children's homes and some of the psychoneurological clinics have joined as well.

"Our movement's specific character is that in it training and exercises are to occur according to a particular system, lest they lose their effectiveness," says Tat'iana Aleshina. "For this reason, when financial contributions unexpectedly fall short, which happens often, we rely on the dedication of our coaches. We get most of our governmental support from the Russian Federation Committee on Physical Culture and Tourism, which gives financial support to all of our activities, and from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. Nonetheless we dream of finding a permanent sponsor, so that we might be a bit more confident of tomorrow."

Today the Russian Special Olympics is evaluating its five years of activity. Judging by the results of the World Special Winter Olympic Games, which took place in February, 1997, in Toronto, the Russian team is something to talk about. Russian athletes participated in all sports and brought home 50 gold medals from Canada.

III. The International Association "The Family and Health" Offers Free Services to Muscovites

The international association "Family and Health" has existed since 1993. Its director is Irina Alexandrovna Manulova, a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, a professor, and one of Russia's leading gynecologists and endocrinologists.

The association's basic task is to improve the qualifications of medical personnel who deal with the reproductive health of the population. Problems of infertility, gynecological and sexually transmitted diseases, and teenage pregnancy and its prevention are the topics of lectures and seminars conducted by the members of the association in Moscow and throughout the country.

In addition, the members of the association, who are highly qualified gynecologists, conduct free examinations and treatment for young people to the age of 19, newlyweds, single mothers and mothers with many children, the disabled, wives and widows of veterans of the Afghanistan war, participants in the Chechen war, and those working on the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Appointments are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the association's offices at Denezhnyi per., d. 24, str. 3 (take the Metro to the Smolenskaia station).

The association is interested in working with social organizations dealing with problems of sex education for young people and issues of the reproductive health of the population.

Telephone: 241-0306; 241-9264; 241-6682.

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