Russian forum to open in London

Russian-speaking compatriots residing in Britain will come together in London on Sunday to discuss realization of humanitarian potential of the Russian-speaking community. About a hundred delegates from various parts of Great Britain will take part in the 6th Forum of Russian Compatriots. They include leaders and activists of public, charitable and educational organizations, businessmen, representatives of Russian-language media as well as guests from Russia, Europe and the CIS states. Mikhail Shvydkoy, the Russian president’s special envoy for international cultural cooperation, has sent his message of greeting to the forum. The delegates will review the results of the past year and name the best activists and organizations of the Russian-speaking community. “The delegates will outline new areas of work for our organization,” Aina Sharifi, the chairwoman of the Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots in the United Kingdom and director of the chain of ‘Znaniye’ (Knowledge) schools for children of Russians residing in Britain and children from other CIS countries, told Itar-Tass. She said that the Coordination Council was about to launch several new projects linked to human rights. Besides, the Council will develop active cooperation with British regions, which are home to many Russians. Sharifi said that consolidation of the Russian-speaking community had never been easy. “Although there are strong and independent personalities among us, our interests often differ. Incredible as it may seem, but while making enormous and acknowledged contribution to the science, culture, art and economy of the country of residence, we do not always grasp the importance of our joint work the results of which create an attractive image of the Russian-speaking community,” Sharifi went on to say. She believes that the Coordination Council should become an official body of the Russian-speaking community that will express and protect its interests in Britain. “At present, we have asked compatriots to support the work of the Coordination Council in which we have elected most active members of our community. This support can come in the form of assistance, provision of information on needs, events and initiatives; just good and friendly attitude and also constructive criticism,” Sharifi concluded. The Forum of Russian Compatriots has launched its own Internet portal cometogether.org.uk, which publishes materials and information that could be useful and interesting to Russian-speaking residents of the United Kingdom.