“….Club will be a leading center of Russian-Canadian friendship
and cooperation”
From interview with Ella Pamfilova to Club Newsletter
|
|
YDFP Fellow (1994) Leader of the Social Movement For Civil Dignity Member of the State Duma RF First and only woman to run for President in the 2000 elections Ella Pamfilova is currently the Chairwoman of the Public Commission of Human Rights under the President of the Russia |
What do you think of women's role in politics?
The characteristic feature of the present-day situation is that women are now involved in political life. However, there are artificially made obstacles for women in public office, such as increased requirements. Women are more visible than men; their flaws attract immediate public attention. It gives men a ground for saying: “Look, how tough they are, they make absolutely wrong decisions!” Though, from my point of view, women can resolve problems in a much more effective and better way than men, relying not only on their expertise, experience and professional knowledge but also on their intuition. In many countries this is a common perspective. A good example of it is election of Tarii Halonen to the post of Head of the State in Finland.
Are priorities of female politicians different from those of male politicians?
It is more reasonable to talk about present day priorities and what they should be rather than about the difference between sexes. For example, now it is accepted to want authorities to be honest, strong and powerful. This is perfectly reasonable. But I would like them to be empathic with our citizens, to be connected with them through ties of common feelings. Of course, somebody must make difficult decisions, but they need to be made humanely. Who of the Russian people would protest against strengthening our state? I support it, too. But I think that another process, the process of personal development and development of civil society, is also a top priority. If we do not start dealing with it, then Russians as a people will lose competitiveness. In 20 or 30 years we might simply become a population covering a certain geographical region.
It is widely accepted that investments in human resources and the educational potential of nations is necessary. For it is a paradox to talk about a strong society if it consists of weak-willed, poorly educated, physically feeble people. Neither atomic potential, nor powerful economy gives a country the right to be called prosperous if its society is featureless, thoughtless and spiritless. When man loses his personal and civic dignity, when people become some mass, then it is possible to do anything with them – corruption can thrive.
Politics is considered to be a male dominated business in our country. Traditionally, men who are perceived to be the stronger than women, have been the policy makers. However, our policies and structures are not strong. The weakness is present everywhere, beginning with state structure and finishing with the condition of public conscience. The most vivid example of policy weakness is an increased level of aggressiveness prevailing in our present day society.
That is why it is so important that clever, professional and strong women should appear at all levels of power where decisions crucial for the life of society are made.
From your point of view, how should relations with foreign investors be built up? What is necessary to undertake in order to increase foreign investments?
There are different investments. Russia is interested in a growth of strategic investments and in limitations of portfolio and profiteering ones. Serious strategic investments will be in Russia only after our lost capital is returned. The volume of capital that has been taken abroad is tremendous. To begin, we need to reform our tax system so that local, independent producers are not disadvantaged by the system. We should change the essence of our financial and economic system and transform it from fiscal, and punitive into a stimulating one. Growth of production and profit should be advantageous. It is at that moment that the capital taken abroad will become reliable investments able to compete with the West.
What is, in your opinion, the main problem in Russia at present?
At present everybody in Russia has become aware of the threat to its territorial integrity, of the low morale, ethical, physical and spiritual degradation of its society and people. This process of self-destruction should be stopped.
Another problem is the problem of the attitude of the state to its citizens. On the one hand, the state has left them to their fate. ‘You can do as you like. You are not to be supported by the state, you are free to find a job and earn a salary’. On the other hand, you are not free of criminals, poverty and famine. You are not free of your son being drafted and sent tomorrow to fight in some hot spot without being properly trained. And the state thinks it unnecessary to explain to you what it has done.
What are your priorities in the foreign policy?
First of all, Russia should not follow any other scenario under which she is a tormented victim of geopolitical interests of the powers that be. In foreign policy we are to proceed from the supposition that Russia should increase her international prestige by her clever and far-sighted strategy of overcoming her humiliating dependence and getting equal cooperation with other countries. We ought to become a better partner for political and economic cooperation rather than to lament our former superpower status.
In this context, I think, the development of economic partnership between Russia and Canada answers strategic interests of both countries. Our countries do have a lot of common characteristics such as a diverse population, high level of industrial and economic development, and a federal system of government. But we can learn much more from each other both in economic and political fields.
That is why I appreciate highly the possibility of Russian specialists to be trained in Canada. I think that application of the experience acquired during this training will be to the advantage of economic development, small and middle-sized businesses and increase of competitiveness of Russian enterprises. Another, not unimportant, factor is that during this training Canadian people also have a chance to get acquainted with real life and life values of representatives of Russian present day youth. The role of the Russian-Canadian Club of President's Fellows is of great importance. I hope sincerely that the Club will be a leading center of Russian-Canadian friendship and cooperation.
Good luck to you and prosperity!
Ella Pamfilova