Supporting Russian young leaders and allowing them to realize themselves fully is one of the basic principles of the Vladimir Potanin Charity Foundation. Natalya Samoylenko, deputy general director, with the active support of her colleague Ludmila Burashova, spoke about the foundation´s history, projects, events, problems and future goals.

When and how was the Foundation established?

The Vladimir Potanin Foundation was officially created in the beginning of 1999 when we started to work on large projects. The creation of the Potanin Foundation was connected with structural changes in our charity work. We had had no system of charity activities before that, but after 1998 crisis we had to review our projects and choose several charity areas. We realized that our main direction was educational support and, in particular, support of young talented students. So, we launched our first so-called northern scholarship [stipend] program in 1999. Nowadays, the number of our projects has increased by one-and-a-half times and our scholarship projects involve over 2,000 students.

What regions do your programs cover?

Almost all of them. Our first program was aimed at students from the northern part of Russia who study far from home in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities and have excellent grades in every subject. Our second program is directed at active and talented leaders from all over Russia. This federal program, unlike the first one, is based on competition and covers 60 universities. It was launched in 2000 has been going on for two years. The scholars receive about $40 a month aside from the university stipend. It is remarkable that one-third of the participating students have become our scholars for the second time this year.

What other projects do you implement?

All the projects are focused on education and culture. We have started another serious project for support of international competition winners. We have maintained contacts with the Ministry of Education and they officially pass lists of the year´s winners and their trainers to us. It was our initiative to support these students (some of which are still studying in high schools) during all their education period. Their scholarship is 2,000 rubles. Last year, our international team consisted of 24 people, and they brought back 19 golden medals. They compete in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics and are one or two years younger than their opponents. We think these are outstanding achievements, and they need to be rewarded.

However, we understand that teachers are in a difficult situation too. Therefore, along with the student competitions, we announce contests for young teachers (under 35). Independent experts test their methodical materials and techniques. The winners receive a $1,200 grant for developing and realizing their educational projects.

How is the selection process organized?

The student book with grades is the pass for all the participants. They must have all "fives" in order to participate. Then, depending on the number of participants, we conduct one or two rounds. The first round is a quick testing of logic and mental outlook. There are usually about 100 people left after the first round. They take part in a that tests their leadership and communication skills and their ability to work in a team. Tasks differ.

For example, there is an individual contest in which one has to collect signatures under the statement asserting that he or she is not a camel or is the most attractive and charming person there is. When we held a competition in St. Pete, our students were running around Dvortsovaya Square with these pieces of paper collecting signatures, and policemen came and checked up on us.

There are some team tasks. One that I personally like is a card game. The students are seated around several tables. Each table receives the rules. The winner moves on to the next table. However, he realizes that the rules are different at each table. They are not allowed to talk; thus, a person will find himself in a situation where the rules are constantly changing, and he needs to adjust to the rules and behave adequately.

We also have talent shows. This year, we decided to let students show off whatever talents they have, even standing on their heads. Another contest is debating. It is conducted by professional psychologists. The participants are asked to support or oppose any statement, even if they don´t agree with it. They have about three minutes to prepare. The psychologists judge not only students´ communications and rhetorical skills but also their flexibility and ability to cope with complicated situations.

What happens to those who don´t pass the competition?

It was a difficult question for us, too, because we want to help young people realize themselves and not become disappointed and discouraged. But, as the competition went on, we understood that we had worked out a very effective model in which there were no losers. Our competition gives an opportunity for outstanding young people to meet each other and be among like-minded spirits. We often receive letters of gratitude from those who have lost; they thank us for the event and opportunity to meet new friends or even love. They also open new horizons for themselves through participation in our competition and have a stimulus to improve.

How do you receive feedback?

From our Website. We give our scholars a chance to show their computer literacy. Also, once a year, we bring the winners together for an awards ceremony, but it certainly is not enough for them. There are various forums and chat rooms on the site, which give our students an opportunity to keep in touch, communicate and generate new ideas.

What are the criteria for choosing universities and institutions?

We try to attract the leading universities and set up contracts with them. Of course we anticipate some kind of rotation; about 5 percent a year. You can´t just link up with the best universities once and forever without giving a chance to other talented students. Our ideology is to encourage the strongest students.

What problems have you encountered?

There are no benefits for charity programs this year. Only enthusiasts are doing charity work now. The programs go on, because it is important for V. Potanin to continue them; he actively participates in many events.

To my mind, the government´s role in charity is to prompt foundations to apply their funds in certain areas. Charity work done in accordance with the donor´s interests and motivations is the most effective. But just one or two foundations are not able to work in every area and take in every problem.

Do you cooperate with other foundations?

At the current stage of development, our cooperation lies in exchanging experience, though we are open to expanding this cooperation and conducting joint programs. One of the big problems in Russia is that we lack Russian foundations. Another serious problem is lack of information on the part of the public on charity programs. Those who seek support and help need to know more about the opportunities offered.

Our new experimental grant project for finance-academy post-graduate students can be considered another instance of cooperation. We encourage people from the regions of Russia to go back and improve their organizations and towns. The most important thing is to give people self-reliance and confidence in their work.

Which event stands out most in your memory?

Of course, all of them are very important to me, as I feel like the mother of all these projects and programs. The first ceremony is quite memorable. Just imagine 180 young leaders being awarded by current leaders in a holiday atmosphere.

At the last ceremony, on March 15, 2002, I was impressed when a general director of one of the largest Russian enterprises came up to the stage and said one phrase: "Why don´t I do it?" He proved to be a real businessman, as yesterday his PR manager came to me and we set a goal to develop a charity program together.

After the first competition, I decided to compare our results with the opinions of teachers and administration. We agreed on most students, only they pointed at one student and explained that he is a rich businessman´s son, works in a large company and has no need for our money. But I remembered how this boy had participated in a fairy-tale sketch and how happy and enthusiastic he was and realized that social borders were erased. Young people need different kinds of support: some lack money, some strive for self-assertion. During the competition, our participants are asked to write a resume about their goals, dreams, etc. While I was reading the resumes I was astonished by their good, correct and clear idea of life. They wrote that they want to have a job that would allow them to support their family, children and old parents and receive pleasure from successes and experience from failures.

(The Vladimir Potanin Charity Foundation was established in January 1999. Since then, it has supported projects in the fields of culture and education, including the so-called Name Stipends for 1,000 students from Russian provinces. Also, the Foundation has sponsored publication of a series of books started within the framework of a joint publishing project of the Russian State Library and UNEXINbank.

On June 1, 2000, the Potanin Scholarship was established with the purpose of preserving the development of the intellectual potential of young people for active civil roles.)