Competition and Cooperation
On April 19th, 2016, a seminar on ‘Federalism and Regionalism in Russia and Germany’ took place at HSE in St. Petersburg as part of the 13th German Week in St. Petersburg.
The seminar was organized by the Department of History and the Department of Political Science at HSE in St. Petersburg together with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in St. Petersburg and the Forum of Federations.
According to Pietro Merlo, head of the Department of Culture, Press and Communications at the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Russian-German relationships have a rich tradition, which is inseparable from both countries’ history, and this dialogue in culture, education, research, public life and economics strengthens mutual values. He delivered an official welcome to the seminar participants from Dr. Heike Peitsch, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in St. Petersburg.
‘We work tirelessly to support and develop closer and more comprehensive ties between Germany and Russia. During times of political tension, Germany Week’s contribution is especially important for keeping the Russian-German partnership fresh, since it opens up an opportunity for broader dialogue and promotes mutual understanding. We give priority to the issues related to future challenges to our society, from climate change to innovation strategies, from migration to federalism,’ said Mr. Merlo.
Felix Knüpling, Head of Programmes at theForum of Federations, an NGO, gave some details on the topic of the seminar. He emphasized that the principle of federalism, which is guaranteed by our countries’ titles and constitutions, supports the unity of the nation and helps preserve the variety of regions. Such a state structure takes into account the differences between territories that are part of it and guarantees equal rights for them.
Alexander Semyonov, Deputy Director of the HSE Campus in St. Petersburg and Head of the Department of History, noted that the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Germany are both states that follow the principles of federalism. But historical traditions and politics mean that the two countries have different views on federalism. While Russia has always had the connective power of a centralized state and top-down governance structure in the spotlight, the Germans associate federalism primarily with distinctive identity and subsidiarity.
‘The seminar participants are interested in two key issues. The first is the question of the historical roots of such a different understanding of federalism. The other has to do with today: it’s interesting to discuss the principle of territory governance by federal governments in Germany and Russia and to understand what principles lay in the basis of their cooperation with regional governments and elites. We’d like to talk about how the past influences these models of spatial governance and local development and imagine what federalism will look like in 20 years,’ said Prof. Semyonov, defining the seminar’s tasks.
Dietmar Wulff, Associate Professor at the HSE Department of History in St. Petersburg: ‘I believe that HSE’s participation in the German Week is a good opportunity to demonstrate its achievements, all the more so that the university is developing German studies in several programmes today. It organizes joint events, attracts professors, and is expanding its exchange programme. This is promising, since Germany is close and there’s a mutual interest in developing cooperation. Despite the sanctions and a cool-down in the political climate, there are spheres of interaction not influenced by them, most notably higher education and research. These spheres have preserved normal relations, and there are no cuts in funding in these areas. Our cooperation is developing and causing a synergetic effect. Cooperation is an international phenomenon: joint work leads to mutual profit. Importantly, German researchers are monitoring the development of science in Russia; they are looking for partners, they come to Russia and are ready to welcome young researchers at their institutions. Such big academic centres as the Higher School of Economics can’t flourish without such cooperation. Competition and cooperation are two sides of the same coin!
Dietmar Wulff
Alexander Semyonov
See also:
Pivot to the East: A Comprehensive Study of the Cultural and Civilisational Centres of the Non-Western World is the Top Priority
China and the Chinese world, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arab countries, Iran, Turkey, Central Asia and Africa are gaining new significance in Russia’s foreign policy. However, we do not know enough about the Eastern countries. It is necessary to change the priorities in education, starting from grammar school. Prospects for the development of domestic Oriental studies in the context of the new stage in the development of the system of international relations were discussed at a round table at HSE University.
‘I Admire HSE Students’ Eagerness to Learn, to Discuss, to Broaden Their Perspectives’
Robert Romanowski was a ‘Digital Professor’ at HSE University in November 2021. In his interview for the HSE News Service, he talked about the specifics of online teaching, his course on Strategic Branding, and the skills that are essential for marketing professionals today.
Russia and Africa: Time to Expand Cooperation
There is major potential for economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and African countries. Particularly, Russian organisations and universities can help transfer competencies and knowledge in the fields of agriculture, energy, industrial production, environmental management, climate change, and public administration. Experts and representatives of African embassies in Russia discussed these issues at the round table ‘Russia-Africa Sharing Knowledge’ hosted by HSE University.
The Brain in Space: Investigating the Effects of Long Spaceflights on Space Travellers
As part of an international project conducted with the participation of Roscosmos and the European Space Agency, a team of researchers used differential tractography to analyse dMRI scans ofcosmonauts’ brains and found significant changes in brain connectivity, with some of the changes persisting after seven months back on Earth. The paper is published in Frontiers in Neural Circuits.
HSE University-Perm and the Training Centre of the Uzbek Ministry of Finance Sign Cooperation Agreement
HSE University in Perm has become the first academic partner of the Training Centre under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The parties have signed a cooperation agreement in education and research.
HSE University Strengthens Ties with Netherlands in Agricultural Research and Education
On November 9, 2021, HSE University signed a memorandum of understanding with Wageningen University & Research, a major university in the Netherlands and one of the leading agricultural research institutes in the world. Participants of the signing ceremony included HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, President of the Wageningen University & Research Executive Board Professor Louise Fresco, and Dutch Ambassador to Russia Gilles Beschoor Plug.
The Majority of Russians Do Not Support Microchip Implants
The majority of Russians would not agree to being fitted with microchip implants for any purposes—medical or otherwise. A joint study conducted by HSE University’s International Laboratory for Applied Network Research and Aventica found that respondents believe the risks of personal data leaks and misuse to be too high.
‘We Can Now Say That the Finance Conference Is Global’
The 10th International Moscow Finance Conference, organized by HSE ICEF, took place on October 29–30 online. Vladimir Sokolov, Head of the International Laboratory of Financial Economics, which hosted the conference, talks about the participants, the key presentation topics and how they will impact the global economy.
HSE University Scholars Study Green Transition Risks and Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulation
The UN Climate Change Conference is taking place from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow. The conference focuses on preventive measures against the catastrophic and irreversible consequences of rising average global air temperatures. Igor Makarov, Head of the HSE Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change, will be taking part in the Glasgow conference. In the following interview, he speaks about the pressing problems Russia and the world are facing, and the research HSE scholars are doing on climate change.
Applications to Speak at eSTARS 2021 Conference Accepted Until November 15
HSE University and Coursera are bringing together the world’s leading researchers, professionals, education and technology leaders, and business community representatives for the fourth international research conference eLearning Stakeholders and Researchers Summit 2021 (eSTARS). This topic of this year’s summit, which will run from December 1–2, 2021,is ‘Digital Transformation: Global Challenges to the Education System’.