Once upon a time the British writer Thomas Carlyle (writer, historian and philosopher, author of voluminous writings on the nature of the confrontation between countries and peoples) aptly noted that "every war is a misunderstanding." This formula is relevant at all times. The reluctance to accept another position is a product of recognition only of someone’s own point of view as the only true one, and which has the exclusive right to exist. On the contrary, tolerance of the correctness of the opponent leads to civil peace and the harmonious development of society.
We are not gold pieces to please everyone. But everyone has the right to express his opinion. And if it does not contradict the norms of morality and law, then there is a right to stand for it.
Sometimes you have to meet with the opinion that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are very often opponents of the state, which act almost as destroyers of the administrative system. But, with few exceptions, it is not that way. On the contrary, when there is a successful integration of the activities of state bodies and NGOs, they can and must build an effective system of interaction.
Public organizations have a variety of objectives and content, but there is one thing in common – they are always there to address any specific, tangible problems that cannot or do not manage to resolve the business community or the state. Public figures (or the so-called "third sector") working in live situations with real people feel and understand the processes which are taking place in society like no one else.
There are areas of social space where the presence of NGOs is needed, it is impossible without them. This involves charity, advocacy, the environment, volunteering, combating domestic violence and drug trafficking, anonymous counseling and much more. NGOs operate where there is tension and an unsolved problem. The key word here is operate.
The activities of these organizations in Russia are very specific: they are in contact with people working in the ‘field’ – in homes, on the streets, in schools and institutions. Non-profit organizations subtly feel the mood of people and the situation around. They are mobile, their methods are precise and effective, they respond to the problem quickly and solve it. NGOs can and should become an advance team, which will take the challenges of a changing world and provide appropriate responses to them.
Exactly these spheres of real life were discussed at the II North Caucasus civil forum ‘Arkhyz-XXI’, which was held from 9 to 11 July in Karachay-Cherkessia on the basis of the year-round tourist and recreational complex ‘Arkhyz’. The name of the forum organized by the CSCP ‘Caucasus’ is 'The Third Factor. Appropriate Responses to Changes’. The motto of the civil dialogue were the words: ‘’Everyone who has something to say can speak. Without dialogue, there are no solutions!"
The forum was attended by over 200 people from all regions of the North Caucasus Federal District: the representatives of NGOs of various kinds, the media, authorities, experts and just active citizens.
Welcoming the guests and participants to the plenary session, Sergey Melikov noted the importance of the issues submitted for the agenda, which are common to both the authorities and members of the public advisory bodies, and directly for non-profit organizations. In particular, these are issues of interethnic and interfaith relations, prevention and settlement of conflicts that can lead to exacerbations in this area.
In addition, it is about extremist threats and confronting radical destructive ideologies. Despite the density of the measures implemented by the authorities in this regard, to achieve substantive progress without the support of the public asset is simply impossible, the envoy showed his position.
Another important task for all is cooperation in the sphere of youth policy and patriotic education of the younger generation. On the same list there is work to improve the effectiveness of the authorities, the eradication of corruption and cronyism, the fight against alcoholism and drug addiction, including pharmaceutical, support for volunteering, charitable initiatives, meaningful human rights protection mechanisms.
"We need to meet on a regular basis, we need with common efforts to develop solutions that will allow the 'third sector' to get on its feet, to become a truly effective social institution," the envoy said.
As announced at the level of the federal government, there is an underlined desire to support creative social activity. Proof of this are regular grants on a competitive basis (in the form of 'Presidential Grants for NGOs'), which, despite the difficult economic conditions, are continuing. This year about four billion rubles were received in support of non-governmental organizations.
Sergey Melikov emphasized the importance of effective cooperation in this field: "From the authorities we have the right to require active measures to create an enabling environment for civil society institutions. But not less than the expectations pinned on you, dear activists, above all in terms of supporting the basic foundations of our statehood."
In his speech, the Head of Karachay-Cherkessia, Rashid Temrezov, spoke about the positive examples of support for non-profit organizations in the region and identified areas of joint work, which needs to be strengthened. The head of the region noted that the effective work of NGOs will help to stop speculation arising on inter-ethnic and inter-faith relations, strengthen patriotism and promote the spiritual and moral education of youth.
Director General of JSC Resorts of the North Caucasus, Oleg Gorchev thanked the organizers of the forum for the selection of VTRK ‘Arkhyz’ as a pilot site of the North Caucasus tourism cluster, as the venue for the event, and noted the importance of a safe social environment for the development of tourism.
The Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Circassia, Theophylact and the Deputy Mufti of Karachay-Cherkessia, Magomed Erkenov, welcomed the participants and guests of the North Caucasus Civic Forum.
During the plenary session topics of development of relations between the state and non-profit organizations in the North Caucasus, district anti-drug and anti-alcohol movement in non-profit organizations were discussed, as well as the experience and practice of the volunteer movement in Russia, patriotic education during the year marking the 70th anniversary of Victory and other issues.
The speakers were federal and regional experts in the sphere of the non-profit sector, which sought answers to the three main questions of the Forum:
- Who are we (NGOs) in Russia and the Caucasus?
- How can we help ourselves and each other to better address those issues for which we have come into the public domain?
- What do we have to offer and what do we need from our partners in government and business structures?
In the course of the forum, the fact of discussing these issues is already a big part of the answers to them.
In the context of determining ways and means of strengthening civil society in Russia as a whole and the Northern Caucasus in particular, there was a discussion on the mechanisms of harmonization of interethnic relations, ways to reduce caucasophobic trends in the public consciousness, the development of interregional cooperation in the non-profit sector, as well as discussion of effective practices to counter social structures spread the ideology of extremism. The discussion, supposedly, took place at a high level.
And one of the main (if not the main) output of the forum in Karachay-Cherkessia can be expressed in very simple and concise formula: ‘Arkhyz XXI’ is not a result, the civil forum is a process.
Temrezov Rashid, head of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic:
- I am very grateful to the organizers that this event was held in our region, at the Arkhyz resort. The results of the first forum caused a public outcry and widespread media coverage. Here, in open dialogue and discussion we are developing an effective mechanism of interaction with the various institutions of civil society. And you must understand that no initiative by the public authorities will lead to the desired result if you do not get the support of the population.
Vladislav Nikonov, director of the North Caucasian Civil Forum ‘Arkhyz-XXI’, Deputy Director of the CSCP 'Caucasus' for relations with public authorities:
- The activities of NGOs are a prime example of the activity of civil society, because they are defending the interests of the public. That non-profit organizations have become an indicator of compliance with the Constitution of the Russian authorities, the existing laws of the Russian Federation. Public organizations are always created and begin to act in response to any particular problem. And every organization has the right to life, if only because it brings together people who act in the name of solving this problem. And not for a fee, but by conviction. These organizations do not control power, do not form a political agenda and do not affect it. But their activities create a system for transmitting information about the pressing problems of society. In turn, the state, through interaction with NGOs, has a good opportunity to learn how to react to external changes.
Ruslan Kambiyev, a lawyer, human rights activist:
- For the results of the last Civil Forum ‘Arkhyz XXI’ I specifically monitored opinions among the NPO sector, but not pro-government NGOs. The results of this monitoring allow us to reach definite conclusions. The vast majority of respondents were in favor of implementing cooperation between NGOs and the government in this format. They liked the forum very much, they believe that a dialogue has taken place. Some, however, said that they were not heard entirely. But this forum was organized in order to overcome the existing misunderstanding.
I can confidently say that this forum has been much more successful and meaningful than the first one. There really have been many different issues discussed, and they were much sharper, more urgent. All the parties were able to understand that there is no need to be afraid of frank conversation.
There is a hope that government officials will attend such events more often and community members delve deeper into the nature of their activities. Then understanding will be deeper and more effective.
Igor Cheresiz, Director of the CSCP ‘Caucasus’:
- In conducting the civil forum ‘Arkhyz XXI’ this year personally I have associated many expectations. I cannot say that all of them came true, but the important thing happened: we demonstrated our mutual willingness to listen, to understand, to develop common approaches to solving serious problems. We should be afraid that the event will take place formally. However, no one went around sharp corners, the most urgent issues were discussed, everyone got an opportunity not only to speak but also to defend their point of view. The forum showed that, despite the variety of positions and opinions, we all speak the same language that is understandable to everyone. And where there is understanding, there is a way to interact.
Yuri Yefimov, the head of the Stavropol regional public fund ‘Assistance-South’, Doctor of Political Sciences, professor:
- At the last forum I had a positive impression, both from the results of the plenary session and the individual sections. The discussion on the forms and methods of cooperation between state authorities and NGOs is of genuine interest to all parties. Even the fact that we managed to assemble such a diverse list of participants indicates the trust of civil society representatives in the organizers of the forum.
I believe that the attention of the state to civil society organizations is warranted: many of them can truly be called the conscience of the people. Because they are closer to the people, they know their daily needs. It is gratifying that the conversation was frank, informal, informative: sincere people were screaming about pressing issues that are really a concern of the society (such as drug addiction or corruption). And the authorities at the highest level have demonstrated that they not only hear these appeals, but are also ready for real action. Active participation in the forum by Sergey Melikov and Rashid Temrezov is proof of it.
The findings, which I personally made at the forum ‘Arkhyz XXI’ are an urgent need to change the system of grants towards not only increasing the content of the material, but also a careful study of certain target areas. We need to work with the registry of the North Caucasus NGOs, to work with individual organizations. There is a need to create a resource center in the region, where representatives of NGOs would receive skills preparation of grant applications, learn to defend them. And most importantly, this work should not be periodic, from online to offline. It is necessary to make it continuous, constant.
