US Meddling in Russia: In Their Own Words

Source: Land Destroyer Report
Tony Cartalucci

Before reading the following "interests" the United States government with US tax money, is pursing within the sovereign Russian Federation, it may be instructive to know just who constitutes the National Endowment for Democracy, the umbrella organization that funds a literal army of global sedition. (NED's funding for Russian NGOs is listed last).

Video: Not everyone pretends US meddling in Russia is in the best interest of Russia, the US or the world. 

For a full description of NEDs Board of Directors, their affiliations and guiding ideologies of which they've articulated in signed documents available freely on the Internet from their official think-tank websites, please read: NED & Freedom House are run by Warmongering Imperialists.

One may also ask, just how Americans would feel, if a similar effort was made to interfere in US politics, where leaders were "identified" and "supported" by foreign nations seeking to establish what they considered acceptable political institutions to govern the US as they saw fit.

National Democratic Institute

NDI has been working to support and strengthen democratic institutions in the Russian Federation since the early 1990s by stimulating greater citizen participation in decision-making processes and strengthening civic organizations and political parties through international exchanges of experience. 

Through its Moscow based office, NDI Russia has partnered with civic organizations in St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, Syktyvkar, Moscow, Astrakhan, Kaliningrad and Nizhniy Novgorod, among other regions. The Institute seeks to share its internationally recognized expertise with non-partisan election observation groups, promote constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest to Russians and their international counterparts, strengthen civic organizations and political parties through international exchange programs and support of Russian initiatives for citizen engagement in politics at the regional level.

NDI’s regional work aims to assist political, civic and government partners interested in community outreach, organizational capacity development, and constructive dialogue between civil society and government to achieve community well-being. The Institute works through consultations, workshops and issues conferences. NDI Russia is an officially registered representative office of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. It is not a grant-making organization and its activities are directed toward facilitating organizations and individuals in their efforts to improve their effectiveness as civic actors and government officials. 

Public Forums

NDI Russia facilitates discussions on important issues affecting citizens’ daily lives, via forums with elected officials and policymakers, roundtables for NGOs sharing common concerns, and advocacy and citizen participation workshops. The events bring together a diverse group of experts, activists and officials to share experiences, perspectives and best practices on issues of interest to Russian audiences.

Since 2009, NDI has held a series of workshops in Yaroslavl, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Syktyvkar for representatives of regional and local governments, NGOs, universities and small businesses on methods of building positive and constructive relations between local government, citizens and civil society. As a follow up to these workshops, NDI has held open forums for civil society participants to discuss important issues with their colleagues and local government aimed at resolving community problems.

Promoting Youth Engagement

NDI Russia helps young Russian community leaders develop greater capacity to effectively engage in civic and political processes and provides opportunities for them to compare experiences and share ideas with their international peers.

Since 2009 NDI has organized study programs to Brussels, which allow Russian youth to compare Russian and European political processes and explore how European youth participate in public life. During the one-week study programs, participants meet with representatives of nongovernmental organizations, political parties and government agencies at the European, national and local levels, and take part in practical workshops designed to help them apply European experience to their work in Russia. The Institute assists participants in applying lessons learned in local civic activism to help them organize social and educational projects to benefit their home communities in Russia. 

Also, NDI has supported a network of youth debate clubs in Pskov, Karelia, Veliky Novgorod, St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk. The debates offer unique venues for public discussion of youth-related issues in an informal setting. Debate leaders and participants represent a diverse cross section of youth society in each region, including a broad spectrum of political and civic groups.

Legislative Exchanges

NDI conducts an exchange program for Russian legislators and political and civic leaders to discuss policy issues with their counterparts in the U.S. The aim of the visits is to help policymakers on both sides broaden their perspectives and better design their own approaches to key domestic policy issues. In 2009 and 2010, NDI arranged a study mission to the U.S. for Russian regional government officials and media professionals in partnership with the Russian NGO Institute for Democracy and Development, and also organized a trip for local government officials from Leningrad Oblast and St. Petersburg to share experiences in urban planning and regional economic development with their counterparts in Maryland. NDI also organized a trilateral dialogue in Washington, D.C., between members of the European Parliament, State Duma deputies, and members of Congress on issues related to economics, security and governance.

Election Observation

Since 2000, NDI has worked with GOLOS, an independent, nonpartisan, Russian election observation network covering over 40 regions. NDI provides ongoing consultation and training for the organization’s regional partners, sharing its international election observation expertise. NDI is open to cooperating with all domestic groups that believe in free and fair elections, impartial and objective election observation and internationally accepted election observation standards.

International Republican Institute

RI's programming in Russia supports the development of a more open, participatory and democratic society. IRI supports the political and civic development of the country by promoting and supporting engagement between citizens and political actors. IRI’s programming represents a unique blend of politically-oriented trainings and events designed to promote a nationwide grassroots democratic movement. Grouped under four categories – civic leadership development, youth and women leadership, legislative exchange, and regional and local development – IRI’s programs seek out opportunities to foster the leadership, institutions and popular support needed to ensure that Russia achieves the democracy it was promised with the fall of communism almost 20 years ago.

Civic Leadership Development

IRI has been working with Russian civic activists, grassroots organizers and civil society institutions to strengthen the ability of citizens to advocate for needed changes, and increase overall citizen participation and interest in the political processes. Through training in advanced communication technologies, effective campaign strategies and supporting think tanks, IRI has been able to foster and educate civil leaders who are capable of establishing constituent-focused processes and advocating for reforms. IRI has also been supporting Russia’s civil society by providing online and offline networking opportunities and high-quality expert advice.

Youth and Women Leadership Program

IRI is promoting a number of initiatives to involve Russia’s young people in all aspects of the democratic process – from voting, to running for office, to starting a nongovernmental organization (NGO). These efforts help regional youth organizations become involved in politics and public affairs, build networks for inter-regional and international youth cooperation and identify future political leaders. IRI has also been contributing to the development of a Women’s Democracy Network chapter in Russia – an umbrella organization that helps women leaders to enhance their role in social and political processes.

Legislative and Executive Exchange

IRI is working to launch legislative and executive exchanges between the legislative and executive bodies of the Russian Federation and the United States. Through the promotion of cooperation and understanding between both sides, it is the objective of this program to encourage the development of sustainable relationships between Russian and American government authorities.

Regional and Local Development

IRI believes that identifying and supporting leaders at the local and regional levels can help lay the groundwork for Russia’s next generation of democratic leadership. IRI has therefore created a new network of politicians, NGO activists and elected officials who are interested in the democratic development of municipal governance. Through this network, as well as IRI-sponsored conferences and roundtables, local elected officials, NGOs and party members learn how to contribute to increased public participation in local governance and meaningful interaction between citizens and local and regional deputies. By these efforts, IRI is trying to promote the implementation of local and regional development programs oriented on democratic governance and close interaction between power and citizens.

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