The Forum's annual conference in Washington, D.C. is the premiere gathering of business leaders, government officials, public policy scholars and experts on the relationship between the United States and Russia. This website provides information on the conference (see draft agenda below), an easy online conference registration page, and information on the history of the World Russia Forum. This year, for the first time, Discovery Institute is teaming with the World Russia Forum and the American University in Moscow to jointly sponsor the conference. Our goal is to promote and advance a healthy and productive relationship between the United States and Russia. I hope you are able to join us for what promises to be an exciting and informative conference - right on Capitol Hill!
As Barack Obama settles into the White House, everyone is asking the same question: "Will the change that he promised actually materialize?" But at least one thing is for certain: The challenges before the new U.S. president—both foreign and domestic—are daunting.
We at the World Russia Forum are particularly interested in President Obama's approach to Russia. While it is still extremely early in the 44th president's term, we have reason to feel encouraged. Presidents Obama and Medvedev have already agreed on the need to stop the "drift" in U.S.-Russia relations. In April, the two leaders plan to hold bilateral talks while in London for a scheduled Group of 20 summit. The Kremlin says the two sides have agreed to do "everything in their power to restore Russia-America relations to their full potential." For those of us concerned about U.S.-Russia relations, this is good news indeed. But actions always speak much louder than words. And we hope that these words and gestures will be followed by deeds.
Going forward, Washington and Moscow will need all the help they can get, not only from government officials, but from the expert community, business leaders, and the public. You can help. And you can be involved. Please join us April 27-28, 2009, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the critical relationship between these two important nations. For two days, you'll have the chance to interact with experts, and to hear and discuss specific proposals from leading American and Russian political leaders, businessmen, experts, and scholars on how to reset course from confrontation to strategic partnership and alliance.
We hope you'll join us for the 28th annual World Russia Forum—the premier conference of its kind. We look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues to Washington.