Among those attending were participants in the January 29-30 Moscow conference “Conflict and Consensus in American History”, American Studies scholars from several dozen cities in Russia and the NIS. Most of them were alumni of Russian-American academic exchange programs. Approximately 70 people gathered in the spacious but comfortable meeting area of the Center.
Prof. Anatoly Yagola, Chairperson of the Board for the Association, made opening remarks.
Michael J. Hurley, Deputy Minister Counselor for Press and Culture, addressed the audience on behalf of the US Embassy. He emphasized that American partners appreciate the work of the Association, which advances professional growth of alumni from the exchange programs and serves as a forum where they can share their experiences in promoting democratic reforms. The Association’s Annual plays an outstanding part in the development of mutual understanding and in the expansion of contacts between Americans and Russians. Mr. Hurley thanked the Annual’s Editor-in-Chief and IREX alumnus, Dr. Anatoly Kulik, and everyone who contributed to the publication.
Mr. Hurley further noted that a great many of those present have devoted their lives to American Studies and Russian-American relations. Their multifaceted research and teaching has helped promote mutual understanding between our countries. He expressed a particular gratitude to the Association for Russian-American Studies and to its Chairperson and Fulbright alumnus, Dr. Yury Rogulev, for their efforts in spreading the teaching of American Studies to various Russian universities, and wished the conference continuing success.
Introducing
the new issue of the Annual, Anatoly Kulik said that, during its short existence, it has
become an authoritative cultural and scholarly publication. It is read and referred to not
only by the Association members in its 30 regional branches all over Russia, but also by
their colleagues, researchers, teachers, students and graduate students of Russian
universities. The Annual is also distributed to American Education Information Centers and
American Corners, as well as to major scholarly and public libraries in Russia, and to
large centers of social and liberal arts information abroad through the system of
international publication exchange. The Annual plays a significant part in expanding
contacts within the Russian academic community, as well as contacts with American
scholars, and in creating an effective international network of academic exchange between
alumni.The new issue of the Annual is a product of Russian-American cooperation to a large degree. Alongside articles by Russian authors, it includes a large array of materials written by American scholars. For instance, a large article devoted to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, in the USA was written for the Annual by an Honorary Member of the Association, Kenneth Janda, Professor of Northwestern University, Illinois.
Dr. Kulik thanked the Annual’s authors for their contributions, and the Press and Culture Section of the US Embassy and IREX for their assistance in publication and distribution of the Annual. He particularly emphasized the efforts of Natalia Miussova of the Public Relations Section of the US Embassy in assisting the Association.
One of the
Annual’s authors, Marina Kizima, Professor of the Moscow State Institute of
International Relations (MGIMO), spoke of the large impact that exchange programs have on
the professional growth and world-view of scholars. The Alumni Association promotes
development of the scientific and research potential created by exchange programs by
providing alumni with an opportunity to regularly participate in conferences, seminars,
and schools as well as to maintain a dialogue with their colleagues.The atmosphere of the presentation was that of a meeting between professionals and friends.