On December 19, a session of Sergey Kortunov Young Experts Debate was held at RIAC.
Although a young organization, RIAC may boast traditions, one of them the Annual Youth Debate on acute international problems, normally divisive for public opinion and experts. Young scholars from opposite camps exchange opinions, while the audience chooses the winner by open vote.
On December 19, RIAC hosted the Sergey Kortunov Young Experts’ Debate.
Although still a relatively young organization, RIAC already boasts certain traditions, and one of them is the Annual Youth Debate on pressing international issues that divide public and expert opinion. Young scholars from opposite camps exchange opinions, and the audience votes for the winner.
In terms of practical results, the debate promotes greater understanding of key areas of dispute, and helps develop consensus in working to reconcile positions on pressing issues in foreign policy and international relations. Another outcome is its role in building a community of young experts who are destined for positions in the Foreign Service. Informal relations are in many ways just as significant as hierarchical ones.
The idea was developed by those who studied under Sergey V. Kortunov (1956-2010), a prominent Russian foreign policy scholar. Credit for its implementation chiefly goes to Natalie Burlinova, President of the Creative Diplomacy Initiative, with support from her numerous young colleagues and future debate participants.
In early 2012, the debate was taken up by RIAC, which among other things works to develop future diplomats, and involves many international experts aged 25-30. The debate has become a truly welcome part of RIAC activity, and is moderated by Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Program Director.
The December 19 session was opened by RIAC Director General Andrey Kortunov, who noted that Russian intellectuals are famously divided over key issues but the ensuing discussion usually produces optimal solutions, and that this discussion is held in a professional and thoughtful atmosphere. Regrettably, of late, these two latter elements have been in decline in society, making it even more important that this tradition is restored: a key goal of the debate.
The latest session covered the Magnitsky Act and its consequences, Syria and the protection of compatriots abroad.
Lyubov Yaroshenko from Creative Diplomacy, who was voted the winner, and Yuri Nadtochi of the Moscow Humanitarian University, were the opponents in the Magnitsky Act debate, discussing the act’s content, Russia’s response, and intrinsic internal and external factors.
Stanislav Pritchin from the RAS Institute for Oriental Studies and Anton Grishayev from the office of the Federation Council took the second subject. The discussion focused on Russia’s stance on Syria, as well as the pros and cons for Russia’s future in the Middle East, and Pritchin was voted the winner.
The compatriots issue was tackled by Andrey Trivailo from the Foreign Ministry Diplomatic Academy and the winner Andrey Sushentsov from MGIMO University, who covered support mechanisms for compatriots, current policies’ efficiency and the essence of Russian identity.
The debate on the above and other problems should continue in the blog section of the RIAC website, with more in-person verbal duels slated for 2013.
The debate’s key organizers included Deputy Program Director Timur Makhmutov, Program Manager Helena Zonova and Assistant Alice Sadykova.
P.S. No participant has actually suffered.
Sergey Kortunov Debates at RIAC
