Center for Citizen Initiatives
Citizen Diplomacy Mission to Russia
June 5 – 20, 2022
Dear CCI Followers,
Plans are underway for CCI’s trip to explore Russia in 2022. We hope you will join us!
COVID forced us to cancel three earlier travel dates. CCI’s unique travel to 30 or more Russian regions necessitates that we use Russia’s coveted Humanitarian Visas. The H.Visa is currently being revised and will become available around the turn of 2022.
We are delighted to announce that Ambassador (Ret.) Jack Matlock will co-lead our 2022 delegation!
This will be CCI’s largest-ever delegation both in number of participants (100) and geographic areas visited (30 to 40). Current relations between our two nations are at their lowest ebb since 1962 (the Cuban missile crisis). It is critical that we U.S. citizen leaders make efforts to connect with Russia’s citizens and decision makers. We can leave behind a trail of American goodwill along with our total commitment to diplomacy between our two nations.
Here is our trip format which will occur during Russia’s famous “White Nights”.
June 5–10 Moscow: We will have daily briefings with a dozen experts on current issues:
• Scientists will share their concerns on the current impasse regarding nuclear weapons
• Journalists will overview Russia’s latest position in relation to the West
• Ukrainian Donbass persons will give their perspectives on the civil war in their territory
• Think-tank leaders will share their concerns about current international relations
• Russian and U.S. women will discuss the roles of professional women in their societies
• Business leaders will cover the Russian business climate to date
• The impact of Western sanctions will be explored
• Financial experts will describe investing and tax climate for investors
• Sociologists will share Russia’s concept of Democracy and commitment to Social Services
• The role of religion in Russian life today will be discussed
•. Russians who support Putin, those who support Navalny, will give their points of view
During our evenings we will explore Red Square and downtown Moscow. We will meet with CCI’s Russian friends, wine and dine, and of course … travel on Moscow’s extraordinary Metro system!
June 11 – 15: We will depart Moscow in dyads, triads and single travelers, spreading out across Russia from Karelia in the north, Crimea to the south, east into the depths of Siberia and southeast to Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean. Each mini-group will spend their days meeting with local professionals, educators, officials, business owners, youth groups and Rotary clubs, thus absorbing the pulse of life throughout Russia.
June 16 – 20: We all fly into St. Petersburg for the CCI “Report Out.” The first day we will sit in large circles and hear multiple reports and experiences from across Russia’s vast territory. These sessions will be videotaped, later to become YouTube videos. The remaining St. Petersburg days we will meet with many Russian counterparts and explore Russia’s cultural capital, its museums, ballet, symphony, opera and jazz clubs. Last we will take a canal boat ride around St. Petersburg’s waterways during “White Nights”!
For first-time travelers to Russia, we guarantee that our four decades of bringing Americans to Russia will provide a sense of this country and its people unlike any other travel opportunity. For those who traveled with CCI earlier, we will make sure that they will have different experiences this time.
Our former travelers say what Krishen Mehta reported after his 2019 CCI experience: “This trip significantly changed my view of the world and my perspective of Russia.”
Educational Materials: In the coming months we will send tips about this type of travel, Russian cultural norms that are different from ours, reading lists, the latest online articles and expert commentary to assist in building a current backgrounder for your travels.
Cost: Budget, economy and first-class travel accommodations are available, ranging from $3300 to $8000 for this travel experience. Prices include international flights, hotels, and regional transportation. (Four-day “add-ons” to stay in St. Petersburg or travel to Crimea will be offered for any who are interested.) More travel and cost details in our next letter.
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Dear potential travelers, please consider what is at stake between the U.S. and Russia today. Our two huge countries have 10,000 nuclear weapons between us. At this moment NATO is carrying out “War-Games” near Russia’s borders, with military maneuvers in full battle gear – using live weaponry in air, on land, … with NATO battleships in the Black Sea. Could this be prep for World War III? This is sheer madness!
After the trip, some among you may wish to become spokespersons for better and safer U.S.-Russia relations. In any case, the trip will enhance your understanding of Russia today, its history, and its people. This is our trip’s primary objective.
Please forward this application to your colleagues, friends and family. We look forward to receiving your application for what may be the most rewarding travels of your life!
Sincerely,
Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives