On Wednesday, March 30th, the Council for the Interregional Development of Economic International Activity “Russian Far East- Zabaykalye” was held in Khabarovsk. Representatives of all RFE regions attended the meeting. The issues discussed were 1) The Federal Targeted Program on Economical and Social Development of RFE and Zabaykalye till 2010, 2) preparation for the RFE International Economic Congress, which will be conducted in Khabarovsk on September 27-28, 2005, 3) conducting the 10th RAPP Meeting in Sakhalin in September 2005, and 4) RFE and Zabaykalye advances for Russia’s entering the WTO.
The topic of the RFE International Economic Congress aroused considerable interest among attendees. It should play an important role in the economic and social development of the RFE and become an important event in attracting foreign investments to the region. An organizational committee has formed which will work on the federal level. Mr Mironov, Chairman of Federation Council, will head the committee. Topics to be discussed in the round tables, that will be lead by RFE governors, at the Congress include transportation strategy in the RFE, the development of an equity market, interregional cooperation, tourism, and the development of oil and gas sector in the RFE.
Derek Norberg, Director of RAPP American Secretariat presented the information on the RAPP meeting in September 2005 in Sakhalin. The audience asked the RAPP organizers to split the two important events and not to conduct the Congress and RAPP meetings both in September. The RI Coordinator gave a brief presentation on the RI RFE activity.

On Wednesday, March 30th, 12 speakers were hosted by Khabarovsk Krai’s governor, Victor Ishaev, to discuss the topic of foreign investment in the region in front of an audience of 250 attendees. This foreign investment advisory council, with participants from Russian, U.S., Japan, China and Korea, addressed continuing concerns about the need to improve highway and financial infrastructure in the Russian Far East (RFE) and also to create economic development areas on the Pacific Ocean to stimulate interest, investment and development in the region.
Over the past five years, increases in the volume of industrial production and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Khabarovsk Krai has by far outpaced that of the rest of Russia. Industrial production in the krai has increased by 61.6%, compared to Russia’s overall average of 38.8%. FDI in Khabarovsk Krai increased by 220%, while that of the nation grew by 160%. In 2004, FDI in the krai rose 330% over that of the previous year to 96.2 million USD and accounts for 10% of all investments in the region.
Governor Ishaev particularly addressed the topic of corruption, and a survey of foreign companies doing business in the RFE cited 71% had problems with graft. The governor said that correcting this problem was his top priority and called on members of the council and audience to make sure his administration is kept informed of such cases so he can work on solving it.

The Sakhalin Junior Achievement (JA) Festival “Seven Steps in the World of Economics” was held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on March 30. JA teams consisting of two to four participants representing eight districts of Sakhalin Oblast attended. Festival participants demonstrated their strong knowledge of economics through various contests and presentations. Contest winners received prizes donated by corporate sponsors Exxon Neftegas Limited, Sakhalin Energy, and other private companies. Director Sofya Pak and the JA Sakhalin staff organized the Festival as well as housing and entertaining the participants

In March 2005 M. Svischov and L. Demchuk, representatives of Public Relations Department, Khabarovskiy Krai Administration, visited the Institute for Sustainable Communities(ISC)/Khabarovsk. During the meeting visitors learned about successful implementation of the Russian Far East Civic Initiatives Program in Khabarovskiy Krai. Community residents have shown great interest in social projects realized by NGO and Initiative Groups. The Russian Far East Civic Initiatives Program encourages initiatives for independent activities. During 2003-2004 sixty socially important initiatives were financed in Khabarovskiy Krai. The best success stories were published on the ISC website and in the journal “Initiative Plus the Russian Far East”. Business, authority and initiative representatives take part in seminars and trainings organized by the ISC. RC “Green House” provides support for NGOs of Khabarovskiy Krai. M. Svischov and L. Demchuk were satisfied with the work implemented by ISC. They promise to support ISC in future activities as Khabarovskiy Krai Administration is interested to strengthen and improve the life of communities in Krai.

The Institute of Economics and Asian Studies of Sakhalin State University held an English language competition for students during the last two weeks of March. Approximately 85 participants took part in the competition. The contest included four levels: grammar - lexical test, comprehensive listening, speech contest and interpreting. The winner of the competition will be offered a one-month internship with the RI RFE with a chance to earn a strong letter of recommendation regarding the person’s English language knowledge and work abilities. English knowledge is likely the most important job qualification for entering the job market on Sakhalin and interest levels among students for English knowledge are extremely high. The winner of the English language competition will be announced at a ceremony in April.

On March 23 in a conference hall of the Sakhincenter a ceremony to award winners of the third regional “Philanthropist-2004” contest organized by the Sakhalin regional administration was held. Governor of Sakhalin Region Mr. Ivan Malakhov, while greeting participants of the contest, stressed the fact [delete comma] that not only large businesses participated in the contest but also more representatives of small and medium business. “Starstroi” LLC, OJSC “Rosneft-Sakhalinmorneftegaz” and a non-commercial organization “Association of Fish Industrialists of Sakhalin” were the winners in the category “Company - Philanthropist of the Year. Mr. Anatoliy Kobelev won in the category “Philanthropist of the Year - Older Generation”. Management company “SakhalinUgol LLC” and “Instone International LLC” won in the category “Philanthropist of the Year - Children”. Sakhalin Energy Investment Company and private entrepreneur Mr. Sergey Renzhin won in the category “Philanthropist of the Year - Social Projects”. “CJSC Petrosakh” and private entrepreneur Ms. An Khva Dya were the winners in the category “Organization of High Social Efficiency”. ARS-Studio won as “Philanthropist of the Year - Mass Media”. Local public organization of minor indigenous people of North Poronaisk region and Rotary Club of Korsakov city won in the category “Non-Commercial Company - Philanthropist of the Year”. The Governor personally awarded the winners of the contest

On March 19,  within the framework of U.S.-RFE Partnership program, project  Russian Health Fairs held the grand opening of the Health Fair Center in Khabarovsk. in the Clinic of Family Medicine. At the opening ceremony, there were 60 specialists , doctors of Khabarovsk regional hospitals, students of the Khabarovsk Medical University and mass media representatives. Guests included Jess M. Bratton, USAID/Russia Regional Coordination Advisor; Svetlana Zhukova, the Deputy of Khabarovsk Krai Duma and the member of local Rotary Club; Svetlana Tischenko, the rector of Medical University; Marina Kirsanova and Svetlana Fatykhova, FRAEC officers. Larisa Zhitnikova, director of the project, and Vladivostok partners Irina Rubashek and Evgenia Klokova opened the ceremony. Irina Rubashek presented the history of the Health Fairs movement in the RFE for the last 5 years. She reported that 4 Health Fairs Centers were opened in Yakutsk, Irkutsk, Kursk, and now in Khabarovsk. Ten training programs were developed. In 2004, more than 90 Health Fairs were conducted in RFE. The Vladivostok partners helped their Khabarovsk friends to equip the new center with visual aids. Then several reports by medical specialists were presented and participants of the event took part in the training for volunteers. The leaders of the project, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok partners, discussed work plan events and coordinated the visit of their American partner to Khabarovsk in May 2005.

On March 18 Breast Feeding Support Center “Drop of Life” was opened in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at the polyclinic of the Children’s Municipal Hospital within the frameworks of US-RFE Partnership Program, Round 4. The Center will provide telephone and in-person consultations and assistance to help mothers adjust to breast-feeding, and will consult with other medical institutions providing services to mothers. The partners will work to increase the knowledge of the population about the benefits of breast-feeding during the first years of life through materials, media, and community events. They will also increase the knowledge of medical personnel through trainings and seminars.

On March 12, in Aniva city of Sakhalin Region a Civil Forum organized under “Civic Initiatives in the Russian Far East” of the Institute for Sustainable Communities with financial support of USAID was held. This was the sixth forum in the Russian Far East organized according to the Engage model - a method of development of plans for community development worked out by the Institute for Sustainable Communities and focused on forming leadership skills and supporting community members in improving the quality of their lives. This model guides communities through the process of joint development of needs evaluation, highlighting priorities, creating design ideas, planning and implementation, evaluation of results and finally determining future steps. Forum participants conducted a Community Assessment Survey to determine local problems. As a result the project “Childhood Island” - construction of children’s playground won. Now the working group that was formed during the Forum needs to finalize the project and present it for approval to the Institute for Sustainable Communities and after being approved - to implement it throughout the city. Also at the Forum, the Public Board of Active Citizens was elected. This Board will not only coordinate the project activity but will continue its work after the project is finished by inspiring citizens to get involved in solving local issues using their strengths and resources. It is also supposed that the Public Board will serve as a connecting link between the community and district administration. Community Forums were attended by journalists. New methods of cooperation with local residents will appear in newspaper articles and video programs.