I. The Signing of the Charter of Women's Solidarity Took Place at the Parliamentary Center of March 4

At the present time in Russia there are more than 400 officially registered women's organizations of various size, each of which has its own specific tasks and type of activity.

As can be seen from the name of the charter itself, it is intended to overcome the lack of unity in the women's movement, to unite women's organizations, and to create a mechanism for the exchange of information on the organizations' activities, problems, events, and initiatives that deserve general attention. It is also proposed to conduct common activities and to provide moral, financial, and political support to women's organizations. In the words of Ekaterina Lakhovaia, political activity is not an end in itself. Nonetheless, all of the organizations united under the charter will fight against the exploitative relationship of the leading politicians to the women's political movement.

Thirty-nine organizations, ranging in size from national to regional, signed the document. In addition to organizations from Moscow, women from the Baikal region, the Uchotskii Atonomous Okrug, Primor'e, the Far East, The Kolsk Peninsula, Yaroslavl', Sergeev Posad, and Novgorod joined the charter.

Those who spoke at the ceremony believe that the signing testifies first that the women's movement in Russia is gaining strength; second, to the birth of new citizens initiatives; and third, to the desire for cooperation between social organizations and the government.

Several State Duma deputies supported the signing. The director of the Russian President's Commission on Improving the Position of Women Gennadii Melikian appeared on behalf of the government. He said that attracting women into the government is the only way to give politics a human face.

The charter is still open for signature. Women's organizations, women politicians, social activists, and journalists may join.

II. The Russian Volunteers Association Calls for the Creation of Conditions for Unifying The Forces of the Citzenry

The Russian Volunteers Association, which was created in December, 1996, at the Second Russian Volunteers' Forum, unites the leaders and organizers of the volunteer movement. Its goal is the development, advancement, and support of the volunteer movement in Russia and the CIS.

The members of the Association, who are representatives of the third sector from Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Chita, Tomsk, Novokuznetsk, Yaroslavl', St. Petersburg, Tver, Moscow, Shchelkov, Obninsk, Kaluga, Tula, Nizhnii Novgorod, Krasnodar, and Arkhangel'sk, met at the end of February at the pension "Oka" outside Moscow. They discussed strategies for their activities, the infrastructure of the national volunteer movement, and the prospects for strengthening the ties between organizations and uniting efforts for the defense of volunteer values in society and their official recognition by the government. The meeting was organized by the Moscow House of Charity Volunteer Center through a grant from USAID, the Eurasia Foundation, and the program "Support for Social Initiatives."

Galina Bodrenkovaia, the President of the Russian Volunteers Association, said that the movement is an instrument for social change and the cultural and economic growth of society and is one of the most important institutions for the development of democracy and a means through which people can participate in the life of their countries. She said: "Today the volunteer movement has developed in more than 100 countries and is a global movement of social initiatives directed toward the improvement of the life of communities....The presidents and governments of many countries who are genuinely concerned about the prosperity and well being of their communities not only officially support the volunteer movement but give personal examples of voluntary work and their high civic duty. Perhaps this real proof of the importance of the role of volunteer work will lead US President Bill Clinton to announce his intention to participate along with former presidents in a 3 day summit on civil service, which, in his words, belongs neither to parties nor ideologies.

Telephone number: 291-1473; 291-2004

III. The Russian Green Cross Plans to Participate in a Meeting

At the end of 1995, with the active participation of the nongovernmental, environmental organization the Green Cross, the Russian Ministry of Ecology together with the Inter-Institutional Commission on Environmental Education adopted the federal program "The Environmental Education of the Russian Population to the Year 2000." The program involves directing activities for all levels of the system of formal and informal environmental education and study.

Each year the Russian Green Cross puts on an international conference on the problems of the environmental education of the younger generation.

In 1997 the third international conference will take place in Vladimir from June 23 to 28. It will be devoted to issues of the environmental education in the higher schools. There will be a general exchange of information among scholars, practical specialists, and representatives of social organizations as well as a chance to learn the latest accomplishments and scientific recommendations in this field.

Phone number: 927-8337 (Sergei Konstantinovich Voronov)

IV. The Charitable Foundation "Serafima" Renews Its Work in Nizhnii Novgorod

After a long hiatus connected to financial difficulties, the charitable foundation "Serafima" has again begun its work--a store for the poor. This is one of the last places in Nizhnii Novgorod where people of meager resources can obtain second hand items at a nominal cost or free. The store accepts clothing, shoes, used toys, and other items and distributes them to those in need.

The store's address is ul. B. Pecherskaia, d. 40-6.

Telephone number: (8312) 32-7174 (Larisa Konstantinova Tseitsan)

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