Artur Chilingarov: “We will solve the problems of regional branches”

September 4, 2014 at the Headquarters of the Russian Geographical Society in Moscow first meeting of Council of regions took place in banco. Chaired by First Vice-President of Society Artur Chilingarov 26 regional leaders discussed a number of operational issues

Key issues:

  • summing up activities for 2009-2014 and prospects of development of the regional branches of the Society;
  • discussing the results of the grant campaign of the Russian Geographical Society in 2013-2014;
  • changes and additions to the Charter.

The work began with the election of Council of Regions, the executive secretary of which became chairman of Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Society Svetlana Sotkina.

Arthur Chilingarov immediately set dynamic and informal direction: “I won’t give official speeches, we are here to listen to you. You should just talk about your problems, and I will try to solve them!

There were many problems, indeed, as well as accomplishments however. Thus, in many regions the formation of regional Boards of trustees goes on with great difficulty. As it turned out, the regional administration of Karachay-Cherkessia, Omsk, Tambov, Kurgan, Moscow and some other regions are in no hurry to help the branches of the Russian Geographical Society, despite the fact that they are doing a great job, aimed at the protection and conservation of natural resources of the region, as well as the promotion of cultural and historical heritage. But the chairmen of Ivanovo and Ulyanovsk offices, are on the contrary, very grateful to the heads of their regions for their support.

“The general trend is clear to me, we will investigate,” – said the First Vice-President of the Russian Geographical Society.

Almost all present chairmen of the regional branches were in favor of considering the possibility of the participation of Council of Regions in the grant committee of the Russian Geographical Society. Since, according to the leaders, most noteworthy regional projects are left out of the grant campaign.

Issues relating to the problems and prospects of the Youth Movement of the Russian Geographical Society, membership in the Society, awards, cooperative projects and expeditions arose serious debate. The meeting went far beyond the allotted time. Branch managers shared their plans, experiences and make plans for the future.

Photo: Tatiana Nefedova, Ilya Melnikov

The meeting
Светлана Соткина - председатель Нижегородского отделения Общества
Svetlana Sotkina
van Tyagin - Deputy Executive Director of the RGS on Regional Development
Заседание Совета регионов
Заседание Совета регионов
Ivan Chaika presents Arthur Chilingarov symbolism of the national award "Crystal Compass"
Dmitry Schiller - Head of the Tatarstan branch of the Russian Geographical Society
From left to right: Igor Vyatkin, Ivan Tyagin Arthur Chilingarov
Артур Чилингаров - Первый Вице-президент Общества
Артур Чилингаров
Участники Совета регионов Общества
Участники Совета регионов Общества
  • Светлана Соткина - председатель Нижегородского отделения Общества
  • Заседание Совета регионов
  • Артур Чилингаров - Первый Вице-президент Общества
  • Участники Совета регионов Общества