The discussion focussed on the results of carrying out in 2014 an action plan to implement the State Ethnic Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation through 2025.
Opening the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov noted positive dynamics in the citizens’ assessment of the state of interethnic relations in the country over the past two years. Currently over 80 percent of the population give a positive assessment, which, according to Mr Magomedov, also reflects the overall success in implementing Russia’s State Ethnic Policy Strategy.
At the same time, in connection with administrative reorganisation and creation of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, Mr Magomedov said it was necessary to restore interdepartmental ties in resolving the tasks that the State Ethnic Policy sets forth and to establish systematic interaction with the regions, ethnic public organisations and ethnic and cultural autonomies.
Director of the Federal Department of Culture Pyotr Skorospelov delivered the key report on carrying out in 2014 an action plan to implement Russia’s State Ethnic Policy Strategy through 2025. He noted, in particular, that under the Federal Targeted Programme, a total of over 1.5 billion rubles were allocated in subsidies, with over 1.1 billion going to non-commercial organisations and 361 million rubles received by the Russian regions. Special attention was given to measures to promote ethno-cultural development of the peoples of Russia. According to Mr Skorospelov, currently the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) broadcasts simultaneously in 35 ethnic languages.
The meeting participants gave an overall positive assessment of the Government’s efforts to implement the state ethnic policy.
The meeting also considered changes to the structure of the Council executive bodies. The President of Russia added another 94 experts to the Council working group and commissions, representing academic, expert and journalist communities as well as the Russian Federation Civic Chamber. A new Commission for information support of the state ethnic policy implementation was set up.