Conference: The Russian Diaspora and Cultural Diplomacy

http://jordanrussiacenter.org/event/cultural-diplomacy/

November 15, 2013

Join us for a conference on the Russian Diaspora as a significant immigrant constituency in America.  Conference panels will examine its history, its present reality, and its future potential. It will consider applicable experiences and best practices of other US Diasporas. It will reflect on the possible contribution of the Russian American community, through cultural diplomacy, as an instrument for mutual understanding and common purpose. Perspective and commentary will be provided by distinguished members of the American and Russian academic community and other accomplished political, community, cultural and business leaders.

Hosted at New York University's Hemmerdinger Hall, the conference will gather academics, experts, and activists to bring to bear a variety of perspectives on the promotion of Russian culture abroad.  Details on featured speakers and the event schedule is available on the conference website.

Organized by the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C) and the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, and sponsored by the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

The Russian Diaspora is a significant immigrant constituency in America. This conference will examine its history, its present reality, and its future potential. It will consider applicable experiences and best practices of other US Diasporas. It will reflect on the possible contribution of the Russian American community, through cultural diplomacy, as an instrument for mutual understanding and common purpose. Perspective and commentary will be provided by distinguished members of the American and Russian academic community and other accomplished political, community, cultural and business leaders.

The conference will feature four panels between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM EST.

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

 

8.00 AM – 9.00 AM Conference Registration & Breakfast Reception

9.00 AM – 9.05 AM Opening Remarks by Dr. Yanni Kotsonis, Director of the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, Associate Professor of History and Russian Studies at NYU and Dr. Olga Zatsepina, President of the Russian-American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C), Ph.D. in General and Comparative-Historical

Linguistics from Moscow State University, Associate Professor, Moscow State University

 

9.05 AM – 10.20 AM Panel I: "Cultural Diplomacy: historical traditions and challenges of our time."

Moderated by Dr. Yanni Kotsonis, Director of the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, Associate Professor of History and Russian Studies at NYU

Representatives of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York; Rossotrudnichestvo, The Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, Moscow Patriarchy of

Russian Orthodox Church in America

Dr. Catharine Nepomnyashchy, Ann Whitney Olin Professor and Chair of the Slavic Department at Barnard College, Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Columbia University

Nicholas V. Sluchevsky, President of Stolypin Regional Development Center

Dr. Cyril Geacintov, President of the Russian Nobility Association in America

 

10.30 AM – 12.00 PM Panel II: "Russian Diaspora in the United States: the tradition of preserving and promoting national culture."

Moderated by Dr. Yanni Kotsonis, Director of the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, Associate Professor of History and Russian Studies at NYU

Dr. Olga Zatsepina, President of the Russian-American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C), Ph.D. in General and Comparative- Historical Linguistics from Moscow State University, Associate Professor, Moscow State University

Dr. Terry Martin, Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University, George F. Baker III Professor of Russian Studies at Harvard University

Dr. Alexander Ruchkin, Director of the Center for Education and Culture, "Grint", Russia

Marina Adamovich, Chief Editor of "New Review"

 

12.00 PM – 1.00 PM Lunch

 

1.00 PM – 2:20 PM Panel III: "Cultural Diplomacy: the resources and capabilities of national Diasporas.”

Moderated by Julio Rodriquez, Director of Development for the Russian-American Cultural Heritage Center, Former Executive Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Urban Studies, President of the Puerto Rican Heritage Foundation.

Dr. Alex Kitroeff, Academic Director of the Center for Peace & Global Citizenship at Haverford College, Associate Professor of History at Haverford College, expert on the Greek Diaspora

Dr. Ziva Galili, Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University, Former Acting Executive Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences, Former Vice-Dean of the Graduate School-New Brunswick, Former Director of the Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis, expert on the Jewish Diaspora

Dr. Cheryl Sterling, Master Teacher of Liberal Studies Program at NYU, Founder of the AfroBeat Journal, expert on the African Diasp become visible and useful for the development of Russian-American dialogue."

 

2.30 PM – 4.00 PM Panel IV: "Projects and programs for the Diaspora: How to become visible and useful for the development of Russian-American dialogue."

Moderated by Dr. Olga Zatsepina, President of the Russian-American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C), Ph.D. in General

and Comparative-Historical Linguistics from Moscow State University, Associate Professor, Moscow State University

V.Rev. F. Alexander Golubov, Ph.D Associate Pastor, St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral NYC, former Academic Dean St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, PA

Mihail Jordan, Russian Scouts in USA

Elizabeth Jordan, Artist

Elena Sarni, Co-Director, Causa Artium

Dr. Boris Groys, Global Distinguished Professor of Russian & Slavic Studies at NYU

4.00 PM – 5.00 PM Closing Reception

 

CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF RACH-C

“The Russian Diaspora and Cultural Diplomacy Conference” gathers academics, experts, and activists to bring to bear a variety of perspectives on the promotion of Russian culture abroad. The conference is inspired by the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C), and the event marks the tenth anniversary of that organization’s efforts to preserve and share Russian-American cultural heritage. The NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia is happy to host and co-organize this event with RACH-C and welcomes the support of the Gorchakov Foundation of Public Diplomacy of Russia.

Dr. Yanni Kotsonis, Director of the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia

WORKING LANGUAGE: 

English will be the working language of the conference.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:

There are no fees for attendance, but you must register in advance to participate. Registrations will be accepted until we reach capacity.  Please contact the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia at [log in to unmask] or the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center at [log in to unmask] with any questions or concerns.