Moderator:
Elena Yakovleva, editor of the section “Society”, Rossiskaya Gazeta

Russian society is probably one of the most reactive and fastest changing. Recovered from the fall of the Soviet Union, Russians have experienced crisis after crisis, social, economic, spiritual. Notwithstanding external judgment, and often against all odds, Russia has bounced back to a prime position on the world stage, showing a perseverance so surprising that it shakes western reason.  While the West stands in judgment, and today in doubt, Russia proceeds in consuming experiences, in metabolizing the American Dream; and experience, not judgment, is the key to evolution.

Today Russian society faces yet new challenges (demographic decline, territorial control) which cannot be tackled by containment, but must be engaged at their core, and Russians need new ideas and dreams, new defining models that will attract and motivate, expand Russian thought and radicate its presence. To start portraying this model, we invite philosophers and entrepreneurs, leaders, to look into Russia’s past, present and future and start painting a Portrait of the Russia to be. We will analyze how current world trends can be shifted and how Russia’s role may find a new definition. And perhaps along this road, Russia’s effort may set an example for others to follow. We ask:”Can Russia’s finding a sense of self also help others find a new sense to things? Can Russia carry this flag? Can there be a new Russian Dream, and can this dream contribute to a new Human Dream?

Panel speakers:

• Oleg Alexeev, member of Excutive Committee, RENOVA Group, Director of the RENOVA Institute of Corporate Development
• Yuri Arabov, script writer, author, poet, publicist
• Oleg Genisaretcky, head of the Centre of Synergetic Anthropology, Higher School of Economics
• Geydar Dzhemal, Islamic thinker and philosopher, politologist, poet, Chair of the Islamic Committee of Russia
• Vladimir Legoyda, journalist, teacher, social and clerical activist, Chair of the Synodic information centre of Moscow Patriarchy
• Dmitry Zimin, founder of the Dynasty Foundation, founder of Vympelcom, member of the Russian Academy of Business & Entrepreneurship
• Daniil Dondurey, movie critic, mass media sociologist, chief editor of the ‘Isskustvo kino’
• Dipak Pant, head of Sustainability Research Unit, head of the Extreme Lands program
• Adrian Pabst, researcher in the Theology and Philosophy Centre, Nottingham University
• Parag Khanna, head of the Global Management Initiatives Centre, Senior Researcher of New America Foundation
• Denis Harley, founder of Pustye Kholmy Festival
• Jan Soderqvist, futurologist, producer