A Civic
Chamber and Roscongress Innosocium Foundation social platform session on the
topic of «The Role of Public Organizations in the Creation and Implementation
of Russian Social Policy» took place at the end-of-year Civic Chamber of the
Russian Federation Community Forum in Moscow.
The
influence of non-profit organizations on Russian social policy continues to
grow though they are not adequately involved in the planning and discussion of
thematic national projects and government programmes. As a result, social
activists find their resources primarily involved in fulfilling tasks that have
already been established and not in helping establish the agenda or determining
the priorities of social policy. This, in turn, prevents people from perceiving
public organizations as a tool for real problem solving. They know little about
the work of NPOs, and the incomplete understanding they may possess is often
distorted by headlines. The third sectors image is largely shaped by
«fundraising» texts that do not reflect the systemic results of NPOs and the
positive changes they bring about in society.
Chairman of
the Civic Chamber Commission on Charity, Civic Education and Social
Responsibility Alexander Tkachenko and Civic Chamber Secretary Valery Fadeyev moderated
the session on «The Role of Public Organizations in the Creation and
Implementation of Russian Social Policy».
NPOs must
be more actively involved in the discussion of state programmes and the
popularization of Russian experience in the resolution of social problems
abroad. At the same time, efforts should also be made especially in work with
the media to inform people about the good work done by NPOs and the specific
positive changes that are occurring as a result. The moral issues surrounding
media coverage of social issues are directly related to public trust for NPOs,
and the development of corporate rules of ethics among journalists should
contribute to raising public awareness what public organizations are capable
of.
«Public
organizations form the foundation of civil society. Our job is to talk about
the work carried out by non-profit organizations and to build trust in public
organizations because the activities of the non-profit sector largely determine
the logic behind the states further development», said Chairman of the Civic
Chamber Commission on Charity, Civic Education and Social Responsibility
Alexander Tkachenko.
«The
potential for a social partnership between NPOs and the state has not been
fully examined; this is not about transferring additional preferences to the
sector, but about more efficient use of the whats already in place. Thanks to
the joint session held with the Civic Chamber, we were able to talk about the
outlook and contribution that public organizations can make to the future of
the country and the Innosocium Foundation, the social platform of the
Roscongress Foundation, is actively working to this end», commented Deputy
CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Innosocium Foundation Elena
Marinina.