Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP visits Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod to promote John Smith Fellowship Programme
On 11th September 2006 Trust supporter Sir Malcolm Rifkind joined Trustee Baroness Smith and Deputy Director Joanna Lamb in Russia in order to promote the work of the John Smith Memorial Trust and to encourage applications to the 2007 John Smith Fellowship Programme. The first two days were spent in Moscow where the party stayed with the British Ambassador, and Sir Malcolm and Joanna then travelled to Nizhny Novgorod.
L-R Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Sergei Petrovich, Head of
Baroness Smith, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, and Joanna were welcomed to Moscow by HMA Anthony Brenton who kindly hosted a dinner and reception in honour of the visit. Those that attended the event included several John Smith Fellows, politicians, university representatives, journalists, and other guests.
The second day of the visit began at Moscow State University where Sir Malcolm addressed 200 students from various politics and international relations faculties in Moscow. Sir Malcolm gave a presentation focusing on how foreign policy has changed since the fall of the Berlin Wall, which he believes to be the most important event in recent world history. He spoke of Russia’s role in world affairs and in particular about the question of Iran’s nuclear programme. His presentation was followed by a Question & Answer session where the students asked a wide range of questions about his speech and about the Programme.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind talking about the JSMT with students at Moscow State University
The visit to Moscow State University was followed by a lunch sponsored by KPMG and attended by Fellows and Friends of the Trust. Sir Malcolm then took part in numerous interviews held at Moscow State University and at the British Embassy. Sir Malcolm was interviewed by Russia Today, INTERFAX, Nesavisimaya Gazeta, Voice of Russia, and the BBC Russian service. HMA Anthony Brenton then chaired a video conference attended by British Council Alumni from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
On Wednesday 13th September, Joanna and Sir Malcolm travelled to Nizhny Novgorod where they met with John Smith Fellows and potential John Smith candidates. One of the highlights of their stay in Nizhny was a visit with 2001 Fellow Evgeny Zakablukovsky who demonstrated Intel’s Computer Clubhouse project. The Computer Clubhouse is an after school program which teaches underprivileged children how to use computers and software. The aim of the program is to provide community-based technology training programmes and to help young people develop self-confidence and an enthusiasm for learning.
2001 Fellow Evgeny Zakablukovsky shows Sir Malcolm children's projects at the ‘Computer Clubhouse’
Joanna and Sir Malcolm then met with Evgeny Lulin, Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Assembly and a supporter of the John Smith Trust. Mr. Lulin and Sir Malcolm gave a joint television interview about the Trust and the Fellowship Programme and Mr. Lulin pledged his support to the Fellowship Programme.
Evgeny Lulin, Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Assembly, and Sir Malcolm Rifkind in a joint interview about the JSMT
In the evening, Sir Malcolm, Joanna and 2006 Fellow Lilia Vlasova took part in a videoconference at the British Council, this time linking the Nizhny Novgorod office with Ekaterinburg. Joanna spoke about the Trust and the Fellowship Programme with Lilia who shared her experience with the potential candidates. Sir Malcolm and Joanna then answered questions about the Trust and Russia-UK relations.
On the final day, Sir Malcolm and Joanna visited the Nizhny Novgorod Voluntary Service (NNVS), where 2005 Fellow Natalia Nikitina has established a TimeBank project based on a scheme in the UK which encourages individuals to volunteer within their community. This is a pioneering scheme in Russia which the NNVS hope will foster a culture of volunteerism and, if successful, they hope to replicate the project in other regions.
A member of the NNVS team demonstrates the TimeBank website to Sir Malcolm Rifkind
Organised by 2005 Fellow Tatiana Kravstsova, Sir Malcolm then took part in a 40 minute interview broadcast live on NNTV to talk about the Trust and the Fellowship Programme. Viewers phoned in to put questions to Sir Malcolm about the Trust, and 2000 Fellow Roman Vvedensky helped with the translation.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind (with Fellow Roman Vvedensky) being interviewed on NNTV
The TV interview was followed by a presentation by Sir Malcolm to 150 students at Nizhny Novgorod State University. Sir Malcolm, Simon Williams from the British Council and Joanna then met the Head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Ivan Konovalov, in order to discuss the future of the Fellowship Programme. Mr. Konovalov pledged his continued support to the Trust and praised the highly talented John Smith Fellows from Nizhny Novgorod.
The visit to Russia concluded with an evening reception sponsored by KPMG and attended by John Smith Fellows, figures from the local administration and other guests invited by the British Council.
Sir Malcolm (centre) and Simon Williams (second from left) meet Fellows and invited guests at the KPMG reception in Nizhny Novgorod
The John Smith Memorial Trust is enormously grateful to all the organisations and individuals who helped to make this visit such a great success. These include HMA Anthony Brenton, KPMG Russia, The British Embassy in Moscow, the British Council in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod and our John Smith Fellows from Russia.
