Given the fact that after Kosovo and Chechnya the relationships between Russia and the West have deteriorated almost to the level of the “second Cold War”, it can be inferred that the paradigm and the approach adopted by the leaders of the Western nations (first and foremost, the USA) towards Russia were not nearly as successful as planned and the objective to turn Russia into a partner of the West in the pursuit of common interests and in the promotion of common values for the most part failed.

Lack of success within the framework of this paradigm and this approach calls for the development of a different paradigm and a different approach (together with more realistic assessment of political objectives). It appears that given the difficulties in the relationship between the political structures and the “official” political elite of the two principal sides (Russia and the West, that is), at the initial stage this new paradigm can be more effectively developed and promoted by the non-government, non-commercial entity, which will combine the efforts of committed intellectuals and professionals in key areas from both sides towards this objective.

This projects describes key features of this entity and the key projects that this entity would undertake in order to achieve its objective – to develop and promote a new paradigm of Russia and a new approach to policy towards Russia by the leading Western nations. Its proposed name – The “Russian Optimist” International Association – hereinafter to be referred to as “Association” - is based on the fundamental underlying philosophy which is believed to be the most appropriate foundation for the new approach and the new paradigm.

It is believed that, in order to succeed in its endeavors, the Association has to be able to influence not only the perceptions, attitudes and the activities of Western governments, businesses, mass media, academia and other entities (as well as the general public in the West), but also the appropriate entities in and the general public in Russia. Therefore, the Association will have two audiences – one in Russia and one in the West and will have two fundamental directions of activity – one towards Russia, another – towards the West.

1. Every nation, country or culture (including Russia) has its positive and negative (“bright” and “dark”) sides. However, the primary and the most fundamental side of the nation is still the bright side.

2. In the long term, every country and the world in general changes for the better – the power of the positive side increases and the power of the negative side diminishes. In other words, “today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today”

3. We can (and should!) always increase the pace of positive changes in the world and in Russia by focusing on the positive facts, events and trends in the past and present and by developing the realistically positive vision of Russia based on these positive aspects of past and present; creating a detailed plan for arriving at that future and then executing this plan, adapting it when and if necessary. We believe that focus on these positive facts, events and tendencies is more important that even the most constructive criticism (which already exists in abundance and brought few positive results).

4. Although Russia has a lot in common with the West (especially given the fact that it has developed a Christian-based culture), it represents a complete unique culture, one of the four main cultures (the other three being Western, Oriental and Muslim), which makes Russia one of the political and cultural “poles” of the inevitably multicultural and “multipolar” world.

5. Therefore, by its very nature, Russia is entitled to occupy its very special and prominent place in the world (as do the other major nations and associations of nations – the USA, European Community, China, Japan, India, etc.) and it is in everybody’s interests (including the West) to help Russia identify and occupy this place in the world to which it is objectively entitled.

6. Russia has its own unique path of historical development (although it still gradually changes for the better, like all other nations), including its political, economic, social and cultural aspects and it is in everybody’s interests (including the West) to help Russia identify and follow this path towards security, prosperity and a significant influence in this world in the most effective and efficient way. Methods of reforms and development, successfully utilized by other nations, have to be significantly adapted to Russia (and often “reinvented”) due to the uniqueness of Russian history and culture.

7. All major cultures have a number of common features, goals and values, which allows us to cooperate and move together to a safer and more prosperous future.

8. However, the four major cultures (see #4) complement each other. Therefore, not only Russia has to learn a lot from other cultures to make the necessary changes in its economic, political, social and cultural structure to achieve security, prosperity and influence, but all other cultures will benefit from learning from the Russian culture (especially in the area of spiritual, cultural and emotional development and relationships between people), making the cultural exchange and promotion of different cultures bi-directional.

9. The Association believes that there are four fundamental directions for the development of Russia in the nearest future:

• Protecting and strengthening the outstanding cultural and spiritual achievements of Russia as the core without which the existence of Russian nation, state and culture are impossible

• Further development of the Russian culture by adapting to significant changes in the world and absorbing the applicable achievements of other nations, countries and cultures

• Radical improvement in the material and financial well-being of the Russian people through more effective and efficient utilization of resources in Russia (first and foremost, human resources) and through bringing in resources from other nations (primarily, through foreign direct investment)

• Creation of a new strong Russian state which would serve the whole Russian population (and not just the economic and political elite)