Russia

Russia’s weak democratic tradition has left its imprint on that country’s politics and government. It has long been run by authoritarian rulers, which has led citizens to mistrust the power structure. The interest in ordinary citizens by those in power is also limited to election campaigns and their policies often lack any popular foundation.
The rapid transition to a market economy during the 1990’s led to mass unemployment and inflation. Much of the social security from the Soviet system disappeared, at the same time that incomes were severely reduced. When state companies were privatised oligarchs, individuals who were often connected to the former power elite, took control over much of the country’s resources. Corruption and crime are major problems.
In March 2004 Vladimir Putin was re-elected President of Russia by an overwhelming majority. The electoral system has been strongly criticised, partly because the opposition was given minimal exposure in the media. Moreover, three independent television networks were closed before the election. In the parliamentary elections the year before, only four parties won representation, the largest United Russia.
The conflict in Chechnya has caused enormous suffering for many civilians in both Russia and Chechnya. Similar, but so far dormant, ethnic conflicts are found in many other parts of the country. October 2006 saw the murder of the well-known journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who had reported on and criticised the military and guerilla attacks on civilians in Chechnya.
Analysis
Civil society in Russia is fragile. This depends partly on a lack of resources, partly on suspicion and lack of support from the authorities. Nor are Russian civilians especially aware of what a civil society can mean for a country. In recent years, however, the number of officially registered NGO’s has increased dramatically, from only a few thousand ten years ago to more than 75,000 today, a number that does not include political parties, cooperatives and trade union organizations. Many of them have had a great need for organisational and capacity development, today far too many are used as a power base for various groups or individuals to increase their own economic or political power. Many foreign organisations are active in the country in order to support civil society and to work to lessen the gap between power and the people. This presence is however not appreciated by the Russian authorities and a controversial law has been passed which imposes more state control on voluntary organisations.
Most trade unions are national, but the structure is often left over from the Communist period and complicates introducing the reforms necessary to meet modern needs. There is a lack of knowledge about how democratic organisations function and about the role of a trade union within a market economy, with the employer as the adversary. There are, however, reform-friendly forces who are biding their time with increasing impatience.
The strongest potential for change is among the young people who have grown up after the Soviet period. They work hardest for reforms and to strengthen democratic social development.
Discrimination is a growing problem in Russia. Some groups are increasingly more marginalised. For example, homosexuals are not accepted by society. Roma and other ethnic minorities are often the targets of discrimination.
HIV/AIDS is an enormous problem in Russia.  During the first half of 2002 alone, 24,550 new cases were registered. The total number of those infected is estimated to be one million. This makes the situation in Russia the worst in the region. One major problem has been the stubborn denial by Russian authorities that there was an HIV/AIDS problem. However, a growing tuberculosis epidemic has forced public health issues onto the political agenda.
The Russian economy has improved since the year 2000 and the standard of living has begun to rise. However the gaps in society remain enormous. Much of the population live under very meagre conditions, one-fifth are estimated to live under the subsistence level.
Development Co-operation
All of the projects carried out by the Palme Center’s member organisations are aimed at strengthening civil society. Young members and new leaders within the organisations do not accept old Soviet methods and attitudes that contribute to maintaining old power structures. It is to such groups and individuals that the Palme Center wants to offer solidarity and capacity development. There is a concentration on human rights, as well as children’s rights, and democracy.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached such frightening proportions that nearly all programmes in some way include stopping the spread of the infection. The fight against alcohol and drug abuse is also important. The Palme Center is carrying out an HIV/AIDS project in St. Petersburg, together with the “Organisation Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis”. The Palme Center is carrying out another project in St. Petersburg with the Workers' Temperance Society, Verdandi, aimed at spreading information and forming opinion about HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
The Workers' Educational Association, ABF, in Örebro has long worked in Novgorod with the organisation Folk Universities. The current adult education programmes in Novgorod are a result of ABF Örebro’s long-standing work in the region. Besides offering courses for individuals and companies, the Novgorod city government is using the school to retrain the unemployed.
ABF in Skaraborg and the Axevalla folk high school have long worked with the Karelian adult education organisation OCO. Popular education has played a central role, and the concept is more and more accepted in the area.
The Social Democrat youth organisation the Young Eagles has several projects, including the Kola Regional Ecology Information Centre ECONORD in Apatity, near Murmansk. They are also active in St. Petersberg and Kaliningrad.
Projects are often in co-operation with organisations connected to the sister organisation “Russia’s Falcons”. During the Soviet period the Young Pioneers were responsible for many of the activities for children and young people in the entire country. The Young Pioneers ran everything from music schools and choir groups to soccer and swimming classes, and many other recreational activities. When the Soviet Union dissolved, the Young Pioneers’ funding disappeared, which meant that children and young people were left without any organised recreational activities. The organisation Russia’s Falcons tries, together with the Young Eagles, to fill the vacuum with activities young people themselves want.
The Swedish co-operative movement is working with the Centro Sojuz of the Russian Federation to modernise and make more effective Russia’s co-operative enterprises. The aim is to help the co-operatives to adjust to market conditions, at the same time retaining co-operative ideals.
Trade union support goes to strengthening Russian unions and supporting the growth of more creative trade unions. Courses are also offered in negotiating techniques and labour contracts.