Welcome to the Second Annual
Russia/Eurasia Forum: A Globalizing Russia?
Sponsored by the Kathryn W. and Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University; and the Harriman Institute, Columbia University
October 29–30, 2009 | Cambridge, Massachusetts
Globalization is taking place in a myriad of sectors including culture, business and energy, the environment and public health, security, telecommunications and the internet, human rights, and migration. Our next forum will examine such vexing questions as, Is Russia itself globalizing, and if so, how and why? Is this a phenomenon of leadership policy, citizen behavior, or underlying social forces? As a result of these trends, will Russia become more integrated with the rest of the world, or will it endeavor to forge its own path? An understanding of how Russia is responding to globalization must inform businesspeople, policymakers, scholars of Eurasia, and the interested public alike.
Schedule at a Glance
| Thursday, October 29 | |
|---|---|
| 5:30–6:00 p.m. | Registration and Reception |
| 6:15–7:00 p.m. | Keynote Speaker |
| 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| Friday, October 30 | |
| 8:00–9:00 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00–10:30 a.m. | Panel I: Managers, Markets, and Capitalism |
| 10:30–11:00 a.m. | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Panel II: Security and Sovereignty |
| 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Luncheon and Speaker |
| 2:30–4:00 p.m. | Panel III: People and Ideas |
| 4:00–4:30 p.m. | Coffee Break |
| 4:30–6:00 p.m. | Roundtable |
| Closing Remarks | |
| 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Reception |
Thursday, October 29 | 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Niall Ferguson
Renowned Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, author of The Ascent of Money and other works, will explore the ways in which Russia's experience with globalization over the centuries has converged with and diverged from that of other world powers.
- Introduction and comments by Terry Martin, George F. Baker III Professor of Russian Studies, Harvard University; Acting Director, Davis Center
Friday, October 30 | 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Panel I: Managers, Markets, and Capitalism
This panel will address the changing business landscape within Russia and the evolution of Russia’s place in the global economy. How has Russian capitalism changed during the second post-Soviet decade? How has the balance between public authority and private business been recast by the current financial crisis? Can the government’s efforts to control corruption succeed? Which firms will be Russia’s most competitive in the next twenty years?
- Rawi Abdelal, Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Business Admnistration, Harvard Business School
- Bob Foresman, CEO (as of 12/1/09), Barclays Capital and Barclays Investment Management in Russia, and Group Country Head
- Rory MacFarquhar, Managing Director and Director of New Markets Economic Research, Goldman Sachs Moscow
- Vadim Volkov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, The European University at St. Petersburg
Panel II: Security and Sovereignty
Globalization brings with it hopes for greater security and a spate of novel threats to security. Russia—not unlike the United States—asserts that unimpeded sovereignty is its right and its best protection against the insecurity of the international system. Is this assertion viable in a globalizing world and consistent with the efforts of Russia to promote its national interests abroad?
- Aleksandr Golts, Russian Military Analyst; Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Yezhednevny Zhurnal
- Andrei Kortunov, President, The New Eurasia Foundation
- Jason Lyall, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Political Science, Yale University
- Stephen Sestanovich, Professor in the Practice of International Diplomacy, Columbia University; Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Ambassador-at-Large and Special Advisor to the Secretary of State, 1997–2001
Luncheon Speaker: Nina Khrushcheva
A professor at The New School and author of Imagining Nabokov: Russia Between Art and Politics, Nina Khrushcheva will examine globalization dilemmas as reflected in contemporary Russian culture, using cues from literary works.
- Introduction by Catharine Theimer Nepomnyashchy, Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Russian Literature and Culture, Barnard College
Panel III: People and Ideas
Globalization is not just the movement of goods and guns; it is also the flow of people and ideas across borders. This panel explores how ordinary Russians experience globalization. Do they fear or welcome immigration? Are they willing to work abroad? Do they support foreign investment? If so, from where? Can they use the internet and blogosphere to promote social change? These questions are central to Russia’s integration into global society.
- Douglas Blum, Professor of Political Science, Providence College
- Timothy Frye, Marshall D. Shulman Professor of Post-Soviet Foreign Policy, Columbia University; Director, Harriman Institute
- Theodore Gerber, Professor of Sociology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Eugene Gorny, Director, Russian Virtual Library; author of A Creative History of the Russian Internet
Roundtable
Concluding discussion with panelists and members of the audience.
- Chaired by Timothy Colton, Morris and Anna Feldberg Professor of Government and Russian Studies, Harvard University; Director on Leave, Davis Center
General Information
Venue
The Russia/Eurasia Forum will take place at the Harvard Faculty Club, located at 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.
Registration
The fee of $500 ($250 academic rate) includes reception and dinner on Thursday, and continental breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch, and reception on Friday.
Lodging
A special Forum rate is available at the Sheraton Commander Hotel, located at 16 Garden Street in Harvard Square. Please mention “Russia/Eurasia Forum” when booking. Special room rates are guaranteed through September 28.
Further Information
Please contact the Davis Center at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu.