Russia in 1997

[Deb Palmieri on Russia Table of Contents]

The following article was published in the Russian Commerce News, October-November 1996. The Russian Commerce News is the official publication of The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce®.

Russia in 1997

1997 will be a good year for Russia. Change is in the air. You feel it everywhere in Russia. Despite the many problems and obstacles we are all painfully aware of, it is significant that Russians have embraced a newly-unearthed sense of optimism and confidence that will carry them over the existing hurdles to the successful reform of their society. Russians have an ingenious instinct, cultivated by their ability to survive centuries of hardship, to traverse their way through war, revolution or social upheaval, and then to consistently advance a nation splendid in cultural, artistic, educational, scientific and technological achievement.

One of the most heartwarming developments I can think of that demonstrates the brilliant future that lies ahead for Russia is the fact that it is Russia's young people in their 20s and 30s who have taken the responsibility on their shoulders to financially support families displaced by joblessness and unemployment. Yuri Milner, CEO of Alliance Menatap, commented recently, "What is happening in Russia is unprecedented in the world. Financial and economic power has been passed from people in their 60s to those in their 30s, or even younger."

Out of the ashes of displaced generations in their 50s, 60s and 70s and the social tragedy that this has brought to all those hard-working people from communist society of another era, the children and grandchildren of this generation have stepped forward to carry the torch, and unselfishly shoulder the responsibility to see that those in need are cared for. It is not the state, but hard-working young people, some overloaded by two or three jobs, who put food on the table for their loving parents and grandparents. The strength of the Russian family unit is something to be admired by the whole world. Young children who have been so beloved and raised with such care, dedication and commitment by Russian parents are now as young adults repaying this effort and debt to society by financially supporting these family members who dearly need their help. Not only that, but these determined young people are the flagship of Russian entrepreneurial spirit, harboring immensely creative ideas and having mastered the educational know-how to implement them. They are leading the way, bottom-up, every day in innumerable ways, to build the foundation of a new Russian society and economy. Russia's youth today will unquestionably unlock Russia's potential tomorrow, and carry that nation to a level of achievement unprecedented in its history.

Deborah Anne Palmieri
Russian Commerce News, September-October 1996