Dear CCI Followers,
Our 2019 Mega-Diplomacy Trip to Russia for September 1 – 17 is in the planning phase––It’s exciting! If you haven’t signed up, please do so. It will be the most extensive exploratory trip ever taken to Russia by American citizens–and the last CCI trip of its genre and scope.
Become a Citizen Diplomat, learn for yourself, converse with Russian counterparts, hear what Russian experts have to say about a dozen different critical issues: Gorbachev on Cold War I and II, Russian experts’ understanding of national and international politics, Russia’s financial system, the impact of U.S. sanctions, rebuilding Russia’s healthcare and educational systems, learn how Russians see the current worldwide development, their deep concern about Nuclear War, Russia’s recently unveiled missile systems, Internet usage and journalism across today’s Russia. Last, learn what different Russians think about Putin, the role of Russia’s oligarchs, corruption, their renewed interest in Russian Orthodoxy and last but not least, U.S.-Russia relations.
We will submit questions to the experts in advance via email to assure that they know our topics of concern … this is preferable to lectures with no understanding of our interests. We’ve sent questions previously with great success. The experts usually arrive at our conference halls with our questions in hand. This direct communication on substantive issues gives us a clearer picture of where Russia is today and how our countries can better work together in the future. Hearing and understanding the other’s side is an extremely important aspect in diplomacy.
Currently, we are watching Russia coverage in American mainstream media and also in the worldwide Internet news services. The two sources don’t seem to be discussing the same country. One wonders where the actual truth is being told. Only by traveling there can we comprehend what Russia’s reality actually is today. We will have the added advantage of traveling to 30 different Russian regions simultaneously to mingle with business owners, politicians, professionals and students. We will share our different perspectives with each other upon reconvening in St. Petersburg. Our videographers will be busy capturing travelers’ experience for YouTubes. It’s safe to say that our CCI travelers will have the premier collection of data on Russia’s regions in 2019, including those done at distance by Gallop and Pew polls.
Sign up for this 2019 diplomatic extravaganza and meet up with other Citizen Diplomat investigators like yourselves!
CCI prices are exceptionally low for the extraordinary number of experiences offered:
Economy for 14 days: $3700
Mid-Range for 17 days: $4500
Luxury for up to 21 days: $6500 up to $9000 depending on amenities desired
Each traveler’s costs will be different based on their choices and how long they stay.
Economy and Mid-Range travelers can be lowered by a few options if necessary.
Costs include:
• Round-trip economy air from major U.S. airports: $1300 (price given by AA/Finnair)
• Hotels, estimated food allowance for 3 meals a day, airfare or train fare within Russia
• Russian Humanitarian Visa
• CCI Fee for costs to provide staff, videographers, regional organizers, conference rooms, etc. A breakdown of all costs will be provided for travelers.
PLEASE SEND THIS LETTER TO ANYONE YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED!
Particularly consider your young friends, children or grandchildren (millennials or Generation Z). They are inheriting a world that will require the best of their knowledge and insights to deal with the manifold challenges ahead.
We hope to complete enrollment ASAP, in order to begin pre-travel education for all 2019 CCI travelers.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives
sharon@ccisf.org