I. A Proposed Law for Alternative Military Service Hopes to Resolve Social Problems in Moscow

Activists from the "Youth Solidarity" group presented their program for an alternative to obligatory military service to journalists at the Russian-American Press Center on September 1. "Youth Solidarity" is planning to present the proposed law for discussion at the next scheduled session of the Moscow City Duma. Ilya Zanegin, member of "Youth Solidarity," told journalists that the program will put those who refuse to enlist for their mandatory military service to good use. "The program will help resolve many social ills in Moscow," Zanegin stated. In accordance with the proposed law, young men could work at public hospitals, humanitarian social organizations or charities in lieu of military service. Participants in the alternative program would be assigned to positions where they were most needed; working, for example, as janitors, carpenters, nurses, or social workers. In contrast with the current regulations for military service, young men could pursue post-secondary school education (at night or correspondence courses) during their "alternative" service. In the words of "Youth Solidarity" members, the law would create one of the most democratic of all alternative military service programs in Europe. If passed, the law would be an important step towards military reform in Russia.

II. Muscovite Women Gain a Real Chance for Advancement

On September 3 at the Hotel Ukraine in Moscow, an international conference entitled "Women & Life in the Big City" was held. The conference was sponsored by the Committee for Interregional Relations (of the Moscow city government) and the Soroptimist Club. Members from various Moscow women's organizations attended the conference, along with foreign representatives from the Soroptimist Club, including women from Greece, Israel, Germany and the US.

Lyudmila Shvetsova, director of the Committee for Interregional Relations, lamented the lack of women in positions of government power in Russia during her speech at the conference. However, Shvetsova asserted that opportunities for advancement do exist for women�opportunities that are currently being supported thanks to a government program created by her committee. The program plans to publicize the activities of women in commercial and social spheres, make the public aware of the numbers of unemployed women with higher education, and formulate a quota system to ensure numbers of positions for women at different levels of government. The committee has already created a database of women executives and managers.

Emilia Chugunova, president of the Women's Foundation for Employment & Free Enterprise, spoke of several examples of women taking an active role in creating opportunities for themselves: for example, a former teacher who opened a folklore museum for children; or a mother who created a network of cottage industries. "The number of women who are independently starting their own businesses or ventures is growing," stated Chugunova.

Contact Telephone: (095) 171-1336 (Committee for Interregional Relations)

III. Criminal Case Brought Against Young Christian Democrats in St. Petersburg

Authorities in St. Petersburg have accused the Young Christian Democrats of inciting citizens to avoid their mandatory military service. The organization has refuted the charges, saying that the charges are false and the case against them completely fabricated. "All we've done is informed young men of their constitutional rights to alternatives to military service, in agreement with article 59 of the constitution," stated Vitalii Milonov, director of the Young Christian Democrats. The charges against the Young Christian Democrats seem strange, considering that the St. Petersburg city government has long supported the creation of an experimental service "battalion" for those seeking an alternative to traditional military service. The battalion should begin operations by the end of the year, despite the fact that the federal law on alternative military service hasn't yet been passed in the Duma. The governor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Yakovlev, met with Russian Federation Minister of Defense Igor Sergeev on September 3rd to discuss the experimental battalion. The number of young men in St. Petersburg seeking to avoid military service has been growing�during the summer enlistment, 170 men indicated they were seeking an alternative to their mandatory service.

Contact Telephone: (812) 311-9869

IV. Campaign Against AIDS & Drug Abuse Reveals a Change in Attitude in Nizhnii Novgorod

A campaign seeking to educate citizens about the risks of AIDS and drug abuse took place in Nizhnii Novgorod during the city's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, on August 30th. Whereas during last year's campaign (also held during the Fiesta) Nizhnii Novgorod citizens were reluctant to take materials or pamphlets offered on the subject of AIDS and drug abuse and few took part in a survey on AIDS awareness, this year campaign organizers reported that 2000 pamphlets and condoms were given away and many fiesta-goers actively participated in a survey on AIDS and drug use administered by TV network NN. Additionally, an anonymous hotline was in operation during the campaign, where Aleksei Moiseev, a youth drug counselor from the "Family" agency, answered callers' questions.

The campaign was part of the "Journalists Against AIDS" program, sponsored by the Anti-AIDS Foundation and the Agency for Social Information. Until September 30th, program organizers are accepting original articles, reports, and documentaries dealing with the effect of drugs and AIDS on young people, along with the role of the family in the prevention of AIDS and drug addiction.

Contact Telephone: (8312) 31-3564 (Elena Belyaeva)

V. Youth Campaign Held in Krasnodar

On August 30th a campaign on the role of youth in society was held in Krasnodar, as part of the "Civil Society & the Development of NGOs" program. Participants in the campaign included the Association of Young Leaders, Yur-Inform (a young lawyer's organization), and several rock groups from the Krasnodar region. The campaign included fun games and contests dealing with serious themes, such as constitutional rights, civic responsibilities, and peaceful conflict resolution. Participants cited the campaign as an excellent opportunity to inform young people about the role of NGOs in Krasnodar.

VI. International Seminar on Ecological Problems in the Black Sea Region Held in Turkey

"The Black Sea-One for All" was the slogan of this year's Black Sea Environmental Programme, an annual seminar during which representatives from countries surrounding the Black Sea meet to discuss environmental issues in the region. Representatives from Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia attended this year's meeting and presented information on environmental issues and programs that impact the Black Sea region. One of the topics discussed was ecological devastation in the Dunai river basin. Research conducted by the Black Sea Environmental Programme has indicated that water from the Dunai is contributing to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus found in the Black Sea. Similarly, the Dunai was responsible for more than half of the oil waste found in the Black Sea waters. Also discussed at the seminar were ecological issues in the Novorossiiska region, a Russian city on the Black Sea. Videotape shot by local eco- activists in Novorossiiska showed the results of a disasterous oil pipeline rupture in May of 1997, and was subsequently broadcast on television channels in all six countries attending the seminar.

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