Initiatives for developing Arctic regions prepared at the II Forum of Women of the North
The II Forum of Women of the North, held at the National
Centre RUSSIA, opens up new prospects for the development of indigenous
communities, for business and, of course, for supporting women working in the
macroregion. Galina Karelova, Chair of the Council of the Eurasian Women’s
Forum and Senator, stated this in her speech at the closing plenary session.
According to her, the final document will be sent to the Government of the
Russian Federation and other agencies.
"It contains many ideas and recommendations, the implementation of which,
in our view, will be useful and will provide an additional impetus for economic
development and improving quality of life," the parliamentarian said.
Summing up the Forum, Galina Karelova said that discussions and the exchange of
experience and practices took place across 17 sessions, attended by more than
1,000 people from 52 regions of the country. In her opinion, the fact that the
Forum went far beyond its "northern" geography speaks not only to the
relevance of its subject matter, close interaction between regions, shared
interests and interconnected economies, but also to support for the modern
women’s agenda and its great potential for the development of regions of the
Russian Federation.
The participation of lawmakers, heads and representatives of federal executive bodies, the senator emphasised, helped strengthen the practical component of the discussions and make the proposals for the final document more specific. The document may become a kind of additional roadmap.
"It addresses the development of small business, social support measures, including pension provision for nomadic peoples, further improvement of professional standards relating to their activities, as well as standards for interaction between business and indigenous minority peoples, and environmental safety. A large set of proposals has also been developed concerning medical care, the health of women and children, the work of boarding schools for children whose parents lead a nomadic lifestyle, the procedure for organising passenger air transport in hard-to-reach territories and much more," Galina Karelova noted.
She thanked the Forum organisers for their work and for the additional opportunities they had provided for participants and guests. In particular, the Ministry of Labour, together with the Social Fund and the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, organised the Social Assistance Consultation Centre at the Forum, where visitors could receive expert advice on issues related to pensions, medical and social assessment, employment, family support measures and other matters. In addition, during breaks between sessions, participants could undergo a short medical check-up and receive data to assess their general health, monitor changes in the body and develop individual nutrition and physical activity programmes.
"The Forum has once again confirmed how active, strong and enterprising our women are, and what an enormous role they play in addressing the large-scale strategic tasks facing the regions of the North. I am confident that many of the proposals voiced at the Forum will be supported both at regional and national level, opening up new opportunities to improve quality of life in the North," Galina Karelova added.
The event was attended by Russian senators; Elvira
Nurgaliyeva, coordinator of the Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum project
"Women in the Socio-Economic Development of the Far East and the
Arctic" and Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development
of the Far East and the Arctic; Yelena Malysheva, coordinator of the Council of
the Eurasian Women’s Forum project "Women for the Preservation of
Traditions" and Head of the autonomous non-profit organisation National
Centre of Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation;
Yevgenia Chibis, coordinator of the Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum
project "Women and Their Role in the Development of Naval Cities" and
Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Unified Volunteer Centre; Anna Otke,
coordinator of the Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum project "Women of
the North for the Preservation of Traditions and Sustainable Development of
Territories" and member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign
Affairs; as well as representatives of regions of the Russian Federation,
relevant ministries and agencies.
Event photobank
The development of creative industries gives representatives of indigenous minority peoples the opportunity to fulfil their potential and receive additional income.
Guests can purchase contemporary wooden items created in the traditions of folk crafts from different regions of the country, from Siberia to the Moscow Region.
During the discussion, participants will discuss the development of feedback mechanisms and the strengthening of deputies’ role as a link between society and the authorities.
