Debate: “Conservative Russia” Project – what is a new Russian conservatism? Is it a tool in the hands of authorities? Or is it a reflection of real social preferences? What is the role of the Orthodox Church in the conservative Russia?

Participants of the meeting:
Dr Andrey Zakharov — Doctor of philosophy, he graduated from the Moscow State University. He’s a former Duma Deputy (1990-1992), member of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation (1992-1993), a Duma Deputy of the First Federal Assembly (1993-1995). From 1996 to 2004 he was the President of the Foundation for the Development of Parliamentarism in Russia. Since 2006 he has been a co-editor of the “Неприкосновенный запас: дебаты о политике и культуре” magazine. Between 1994 and 2014 he was an expert of the Moscow School of Civic Education. He has been working for the Gorbachev Foundation since 2013. He’s the author of more than 120 publications in the field of federalism in Russia, civic and political activity in Russia.

Dr Witold Rodkiewicz graduated from the Institute of History, University of Warsaw (1986). He obtained a research doctorate at the Harvard University (1996). He is an analyst in the Russian section of The Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw. He specializes in the external Russian politics. He is also an associate professor at the The Centre for East European Studies of the University of Warsaw. He is a co-author of a report “Potiomkin conservatism. Ideological tool of Kremlin”.

Maria Przełomiec – journalist, former Polish BBC Section correspondent. Currently she works as a TVP correspondent. She specializes in post-Soviet countries. She’s been a presenter of Studio Wschód Programme for last 9 years. She was awarded the Commemorative Medal of 13 January by the President of Lithuania and Bene Merito Badge of Honour by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for promoting knowledge of Polish foreign policy, particularly in the East.