ACTIVITIES | cdac

CDAC members from the Moscow Bureau participated in the launch of Suzanne Massie's new book “Trust But Verify: Russian Lessons for Reagan” that took place December 12, 2017 at the Gorbachev Foundation.

Since the inauguration of the Gorbachev-Reagan sculpture in July 2017, CDAC Secretary General S. M. Karlen has kept a close contact with Suzanne Massie. They have met several times over the past months to discuss future projects.

The presentation of the Russian language version of Suzanne Massie’s “Trust But Verify: Russian Lessons for Reagan” turned out to be an unofficial meeting of the “multi-generational club of peace-makers and optimists”.

Massie, 86, came from her home in Maine to attend the presentation of her memoir, which details her role as a private-citizen diplomat at the end of the Cold War. Published in English in 2013, the book tells the fascinating story of how her convictions and persistence got her into the Oval Office in 1984 to present her views about the Russian people to then President Ronald Reagan. He invited her back 20 more times through 1988. Her tutelage was influential in the Reagans’ burgeoning relationship with Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev.

The daughter of a Swiss diplomat, Massie grew up in the United States. She stumbled on to her passion son’s hemophilia. The result was the best-selling book, “Nicholas and Alexandra” – the history of the Romanov family and its demise. She went on to write more books about Russia, including the best-selling “Land of the Firebird,” which Reagan read.

Despite her stoop and slow gait, Massie’s impish smile and tangible tenacity can convince anyone to subscribe to her mantra: one person can change the world, and everyone of us should try.

Her passion for fomenting a better understanding between the people of the United States and Russia is her overarching theme. “Together we can help the world,” said Massie. “Keeping us apart only helps the devil. We need to show each other the best of ourselves, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

She maintains that the American people are very fond of Russians, despite the capricious nature of the relationship. “Russia is never predictable,” said Massie. “It reserves for itself surprises. That’s why I always say, Russia is a woman, and she is delightful.”

To visit Suzanne's Massie web-site:

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Gorbachev-Reagan Statue

Burganov Museum, Moscow

July 3, 2017

In Moscow on Monday, July 3, 2017, the unveiling ceremony of the sculptural composition dedicated to the former presidents of the USSR and the USA - Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan took place. The sculpture of Alexander Burganov is installed in Sivtsev Vrazhek pereulok, in front of the Burganov museum. The sculpture was inaugurated in the framework of the 37th annual Russia-US forum.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev sent a message, in which he expressed his gratitude to the artist. He also urged Russians and Americans to abandon hostile rhetoric towards each other. "We and the whole world do not need a second cold war, we do not need a cold peace. Real world peace for all will be our common victory" - Mikhail Gorbachev emphasized in his address.

On November 19, 1985 in Geneva, the first meeting of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev with US President Ronald Reagan took place, which is believed to have been a turning point in the history of relations between the two countries and marked the beginning of substantial arms reduction in both countries.

CDAC was represented by Michael S. Karlen who read a short statement. Mr. Karlen worked closely with the founder of CDAC, Vladimir Fedorovich Petrovsky, First Deputy Foreign Minister under President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Suzanne Massie, an ex-adviser of President Reagan that helped him in negotiations with president Gorbachev. She came to Moscow specially for the Ceremony. Photo: CDAC

Suzanne Massie and sculptor Alexander Burganov unveiled a sculpture that perpetuated the meeting between two presidents - Gorbachev and Reagan. Photo: Sergey Teterin

Suzanne Massie is sharing her admiration of working with both presidents. Photo: CDAC

The initiator of the project, the president of the American University in Moscow Edward Lozansky. Photo: CDAC

The sweetest moment of unveiling. Photo: CDAC

Enjoying the moment of unveiling - a long-awaited joy of meeting with the Statue. Photo: CDAC

The Composer Alexander Zhurbin invited the singers and audience to recollect the songs of those times. Photo: CDAC

The Slideshow dedicated to both presidents - Gorbachev-Reagan Statue

by Karpani (copyright © CDAC 2017)

Suzanne Massie: a Bridge between two Presidents

by Karpani (copyright © CDAC 2017)

The Speech of Michael S. Karlen, Editor
Secretary General, Comprehensive Dialogue among Civilizations (CDAC),

Geneva/New York

I remember well the discussions I had with my father in neutral Switzerland when President Gorbachev made his unilateral disarmament proposals. My father was very critical, while I was hugely inspired. At that time I was ready to put my young life at the service of this brave and great man.

What a relief when the frozen relations between the two superpowers thawed and the very imminent threat of a nuclear holocaust disappeared as the smiling Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev appeared side by side in growing friendship.

I am happy and grateful to have observed this historic moment because it proved to me, and to the world, that the reality of friendly relations, of solidarity, of constructive and visionary politics, can be achieved.

And now, how to go forward? Where are the Reagans and Gorbachevs of today? Where is the vision, where is the will to attain these lofty heights in international relations again?

We are all very concerned about the current situation and the future of our planet. read more

“UN today: Deals and People. From Vladimir Petrovsky to António Guterres”

Open Interactive Seminar at MGIMO University (Moscow, Russia)

December 7, 2016

An open interactive seminar "UN today: Deals and People. From Vladimir Petrovsky to António Guterres " was held at MGIMO University the 5th of December, 2016. The seminar was organized by the UNESCO Chair of MGIMO, the Russian UN Association and the UN Information Centre in Moscow.

MGIMO University students participated in discussion. Each expressed his opinion, the attitude to the UN, the reasons for participation in UN Model. Many noted that they see themselves in the future of multilateral diplomacy, at the UN and at the UN Information Centre.

The seminar was held in the format of the debate under the moderation of the head of the UNESCO Chair, Chairman of the Board Alexey Borisov United Nations Associations World Federation.

From left to right: Michael S. Karlen, journalist and author; Mr. Alexey N. Borisov, Chair of the Executive Committee of WFUNA, the Head of UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Democracy, MGIMO-University, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of UNA-Russia; Professor Natalia I. Maslakova-Klauberg, Russian Diplomatic Academy, Mr. Alexander S. Gorelik, former Director of the UN Information Centre, Moscow.

Michael S. Karlen, Secretary-General of CDAC, a journalist, writer and editor of the Book «Vladimir Petrovsky: The Master Diplomat» is having the floor at the Seminar. He told the audience about the work of Vladimir Petrovsky, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1992-2002, affecting at the same time a question of an importance of the UN at the modern world.

From left to the right: Michael S. Karlen,
the editor of the Book «Vladimir Petrovsky:
The Master Diplomat» with Alexey Boris (WFUNA), the moderator of the event.

Professor Natalia I. Maslakova-Klauberg, the Head of the Center for World Culture (Russian Diplomatic Academy) with inspiring words of support.

Mr. Alexander Gorelik, the expert on international organizations, a former member of the United Nations Secretariat continued the theme. His speech urged all the participants to the importance of the United Nations to the international community and the world at large.

MGIMO University Professor Aslan Kh. Abashidze, the Vice-Chairperson of UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights noted the fact that, despite the criticism, the United Nations remains a unique international platform to discuss not only political issues, but also a whole range of other problems: economic issues, human rights, the fight against terrorism and other.

Photo credit: M.Mitina/MGIMO

Photo credit: CDAC

All the photo for this gallery were provided by M.Mitina, MGIMO University.

Meeting at Foreign Ministry of Russia

December 24, 2015

Mr. Gennady Gatilov, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and Mr.Alexandre Gorelik, December 24, 2015.
Photo credits: CDAC

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov receives the book “VLADIMIR PETROVSKY: The Master Diplomat” on behalf of Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov from the hands of Alexandre Gorelik, former Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Moscow.

This book gives insights into the life of Vladimir Petrovsky, an important figure in the political landscape of the second half of the 20th century. His diplomatic career took him from the ideologically confined Soviet system to the pinnacle of internationalism.

The book highlights his significant contributions to many key processes, such as the Helsinki Final Act, Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika, disarmament and the strengthening of the United Nations. Petrovsky describes the necessary tools to create a more inclusive world, a world where individual and collective security, development and self-determination are at the core of all delibe-rations and actions.

The book was edited by Michael S. Karlen and it had been published in New York by United Nations Society of Writers in November, 2015.

Official Presentation of the book in Moscow

Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

December 8, 2015

The presentation of the book by the former Director General of UNOG, Vladimir Petrovsky: The Master Diplomat took place the 8rd of December, 2015 at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the Center for World Cultures of the Institute of Contemporary International Studies.

The meeting was opened by Prof. Georgy Rudov, Vice-Rector of Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. He spoke about Vladimir Petrovsky as a professional and a person who is still remembered in Russia and Switzerland.

Dr. Natalia Maslakova-Klauberg, the Head of the Center of World Cultures ICIS was a moderator of the event.

The event had been attended by representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, UN Information Centre, Council of Veterans of the Russian Foreign Ministry, foreign visitors and researchers of ICIS.

Official Presentation of the book in Geneva

UN Library, Palais des Nations
December 3, 2015

THE HISTORY OF A FORMER UNOG DIRECTOR-GENERAL

(1993 – 2002): “VLADIMIR PETROVSKY: The Master Diplomat”

The presentation of the book by the former Director General of UNOG, Vladimir Petrovsky: The Master Diplomat took place the 3rd of December, 2015 at the UN library in the frame of a program on the History of the United Nations and a preview of the new Museum.

Mr. Michael Møller, UNOG Director-General attended this presentation as well as several other personalities that have worked with Mr. Petrovsky:

François Nordmann, former Ambassador of Switzerland
H.E Mr. Alexey Borodavkin, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Michael S. Karlen, editor
Aminata Djermakoye, former Chief of Cabinet and Chief of Administration, UNOG

David Chikvaidze, Chef de Cabinet, Office of the Director-General

Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert, Chief, Institutional Memory Section, UNOG Library was moderator of the event.

The book has been published by The United Nations Society of Writers in 2015.

Photo credit: UNOG

Comprehensive

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Official Presentation of the book "Vladimir Petrovsky: the Master-Diplomat" in Moscow

Official Presentation of the book "Vladimir Petrovsky: the Master-Diplomat" in Geneva

CDAC's activities

'Russian Lessons for Reagan' Launch at Gorbachev Foundation

The Gorbachev Foundation, Moscow

December 12, 2017

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Gorbachev-Reagan Statue

Burganov Museum, Moscow

July 3, 2017

The Unveiling Ceremony in Moscow

The Slideshow dedicated to both presidents - Gorbachev-Reagan Statue

by Karpani (copyright © CDAC 2017)

Suzanne Massie: a Bridge between two Presidents

by Karpani (copyright © CDAC 2017)

“UN today: Deals and People. From Vladimir Petrovsky to António Guterres”

Official Presentation of the book in Moscow

Official Presentation of the book in Geneva