In late April I was invited to take part in an international conference to discuss the development of the nonprofit sector in Russia, with a particular focus on NGO law. It was the first time in Russia that such prominent experts on NGO law had got together – including Ella Panfilova, Boris Shpigel, Jean-Marie Heydt, Annelise Oeschger and many other no less well-known and important figures. And I found it very interesting, of course, to find out what those Russian and international experts think of the issues facing the nonprofit sector, and which issues, in their view, are the most problematic and what solutions they see for them.
I was there as a representative of the State Duma, but the conference topic interested me both as a lawmaker and as the head of a charitable foundation and the National Media Group’s public council. I found many of the speeches interesting – they discussed the interplay between civil society and government, the need to introduce a new discipline – NGO law – in higher education, and the shortcomings of the existing NGO legislation. In my speech at the opening of the conference I said that if the participants could work out some consolidated, constructive and well-argued proposals on improving the NGO legislation I would be willing to provide real help. And if necessary, I would initiate the appropriate amendments to the current laws.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to take part in that conference and am now awaiting proposals on improving the NGO legislation from experts and lawyers in the nonprofit sector.





Jean-Marie Heydt, President of the Conference of International
Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO) Council of Europe




Annelise Oeschger, Honorary President of the Conference of
International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO) Council of Europe