MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Olga Sobolevskaya.) The government recently adopted the state program "Patriotic Education of Russian Citizens in 2006-2010," designed to involve not only society, but also mass media and business circles to forming the patriotic conscience, primarily among young people.
The program will be run by the government's State Military Historical and Cultural Center (Rosvoyentsentr).
"Patriotic sentiments are increasing among children," Valery Gergel, co-chairman of the Moscow Council of Children Public Movement, said proudly in an interview with RIA Novosti. "Just three or four years ago we could not even imagine that our children would be proud to march in Red Square."
Gergel said that children had actively participated in the celebrations devoted to the 60th anniversary of the VE Day: They marched alongside war veterans during parades, cleaned monuments dedicated to those who defended their Motherland, and collected information for the Book of Memory.
"In the Soviet era, we spoke only of pioneers' good acts," he added. "Now we can speak of good acts of pioneer organizations [which still exist, although in different form], as well as of scouts, of the UN Movement of Young Peacemakers and members of other children and youth organizations."
The new Russia has to date had no system of patriotic education. Now, however, it has realized that it is necessary.
Vladimir Grebenyuk, deputy director of the Rosvoyentsentr, underlined in an interview that "during the war against international terrorism the idea of patriotism becomes a strategic category."
Therefore, "today the words 'patriotism' and 'patriot' are restored in their true meaning, and the maxim that patriotism was 'an invention of the Soviet authorities is becoming a thing of the past. ... Patriotism is increasingly often viewed as a positive characteristic of a Russian," he added.
In the program for 2006-2010 the state has commissioned patriotic products from the mass media, art and culture. Patriotic topics should be expanded. Examples should be found not only in Russians' heroic deeds in war and peacetime alike, but also in their achievements in science, engineering, and art, Grebenyuk said. People should be reminded of Russia's achievements in different spheres.
"Not all young people know the country's anthem or flags," he said. "But the state symbols should be used to instill the feeling of pride for their Fatherland. Young people should learn Russian history, see war and labor veterans more often, visit museums and read truthful historical books."
So far, businessmen have taken almost no part in patriotic education and have not displayed much patriotism themselves.
"Yet this is a creative and pro-active part of society," Grebenyuk said. "But it has so happened that heads of large companies and firms are people who have no experience in patriotic education."
How can patriotic ideas be "translated" in this case?
Businessmen should be prepared to take part in patriotic education and attracted to financing it. For example, tax benefits could be introduced for sponsors, Grebenyuk said.
Nevertheless, many questions remain. The program focuses on developing military sports and military patriotic camps, among other things. Gergel said that they are unlikely to contribute much to patriotic education, as "they will be managed by representatives of the Soviet, pre-reform army."
How can one teach something he or she does not believe, Gergel asked rhetorically, adding that such programs are "usually written by generals." According to Gergel, Russia today needs civil patriotic education that will teach children their responsibilities as well as their rights. The time of "unconditional" patriotism is gone.
Business associations such as Delovaya Rossiya and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs have not commented on the program yet. But a response is wanted, as their position will be crucial to the project.
