On October 13, 2021, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation hosted a roundtable discussion titled "The State, Challenges, and Development Prospects of the GR Sector (Advocacy and Interest Representation in Public Authorities)."
The event served as one of the preparatory stages for the First All-Russian Forum of the Communications Industry, scheduled for November at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
The roundtable brought together Russian government relations (GR) professionals, including representatives from leading business associations (RSPP, Opora Rossii, and industry unions), GR managers from major Russian and international corporations, professors from top universities, and members of the academic community. Attendees also included heads of GR clubs from the Financial University, Moscow State University (MSU), and MGIMO University. The discussion was moderated by Oleg Rumyantsev, Associate Professor at the Financial University’s Department of Political Science, Managing Partner of Rumyantsev & Partners Consulting Agency, and a member of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. He also delivered the keynote address.
The meeting explored prospects for consolidating the GR sector as part of the broader communications industry.
Key discussion topics included:
The event served as one of the preparatory stages for the First All-Russian Forum of the Communications Industry, scheduled for November at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
The roundtable brought together Russian government relations (GR) professionals, including representatives from leading business associations (RSPP, Opora Rossii, and industry unions), GR managers from major Russian and international corporations, professors from top universities, and members of the academic community. Attendees also included heads of GR clubs from the Financial University, Moscow State University (MSU), and MGIMO University. The discussion was moderated by Oleg Rumyantsev, Associate Professor at the Financial University’s Department of Political Science, Managing Partner of Rumyantsev & Partners Consulting Agency, and a member of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. He also delivered the keynote address.
The meeting explored prospects for consolidating the GR sector as part of the broader communications industry.
Key discussion topics included:
- The mission, values, objectives, and role of the modern GR sector as a component of the communications industry, as well as the place of the GR community in civil society-state relations and in shaping and implementing public policy.
- The potential recognition of government relations as a distinct segment within the emerging communications industry or as a subset of public relations.
- The GR industry’s ethical code: current status, challenges, and prospects. Anti-corruption standards.
- The development of a professional standard for the GR sector, including OKVED classification and registration with the Russian Ministry of Labor. The link between professional standards and educational standards in business-government relations.
- Government regulation of advocacy and interest representation. Prospects for lobbying legislation. Self-regulation tools for the GR community, including the potential creation of a Register of Interest Representatives (GR consultants, lobbyists).
To promote self-organization within the GR community, participants supported the initiative to establish a GR Working Group under the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Following the roundtable, recommendations will be drafted for the First All-Russian Forum of the Communications Industry.
List of Speakers:
1. Oleg G. Rumyantsev, PhD in Law, Associate Professor at the Financial University’s Department of Political Science, Managing Partner of Rumyantsev & Partners Consulting Agency, President of the GR League Association of Business-State Relations Specialists (2014–2017).
2. Vyacheslav V. Lachhevsky, PhD in Philosophy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AGT Communication Group, Co-Chair of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
3. Stanislav A. Naumov, PhD in Philosophy, Sixth President of the Russian Public Relations Association (RASO); as of October 12, 2021 – Deputy of the State Duma (8th Convocation), Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy.
4. Igor E. Mintusov, PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor at St. Petersburg State University’s Department of Public Relations in Politics and Public Administration, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Niccolo M, Member of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
5. Irina V. Kotelevskaya, PhD in Law, Director of the Corporate Relations Development Center at RSPP.
6. Andrey A. Degtyarev, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor at MGIMO University’s Department of Political Theory.
7. Vladislav L. Korochkin, First Vice President of Opora Rossii for Expert and Analytical Work, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Economic Development and Corporate Social Responsibility.
8. Anatoly L. Maltzan, Head of the Moscow Headquarters for the Protection of Investors’ and Entrepreneurs’ Rights, Executive Secretary of the Moscow Entrepreneurs’ Council.
9. Alexey S. Teteruk, PhD in Political Science, Lecturer at MGIMO University’s Department of Political Theory, GR Manager at AstraZeneca.
10. Denis V. Bril, PhD in Economics, Director of Government Relations at iHerb.
11. Arkady N. Murashev, Head of EPPA Russia Consulting Company.
12. Karen P. Markaryan, Advisor to the General Director of Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation.
13. Valery N. Tarasov, PhD in Economics, Deputy General Director for External Communications at VostokUgol, Associate Professor at MGIMO University’s Faculty of Management and Politics.
14. Ulyana Artemova, Representative of the MGIMO GR Club.
15. Maria Bazhenova, Representative of the Financial University GR Club.
16. Tatiana Godilo, Representative of the MSU GR Club.
Following the roundtable, recommendations will be drafted for the First All-Russian Forum of the Communications Industry.
List of Speakers:
1. Oleg G. Rumyantsev, PhD in Law, Associate Professor at the Financial University’s Department of Political Science, Managing Partner of Rumyantsev & Partners Consulting Agency, President of the GR League Association of Business-State Relations Specialists (2014–2017).
2. Vyacheslav V. Lachhevsky, PhD in Philosophy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AGT Communication Group, Co-Chair of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
3. Stanislav A. Naumov, PhD in Philosophy, Sixth President of the Russian Public Relations Association (RASO); as of October 12, 2021 – Deputy of the State Duma (8th Convocation), Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy.
4. Igor E. Mintusov, PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor at St. Petersburg State University’s Department of Public Relations in Politics and Public Administration, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Niccolo M, Member of the Coordinating Council of the Communications Industry under the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
5. Irina V. Kotelevskaya, PhD in Law, Director of the Corporate Relations Development Center at RSPP.
6. Andrey A. Degtyarev, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor at MGIMO University’s Department of Political Theory.
7. Vladislav L. Korochkin, First Vice President of Opora Rossii for Expert and Analytical Work, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Economic Development and Corporate Social Responsibility.
8. Anatoly L. Maltzan, Head of the Moscow Headquarters for the Protection of Investors’ and Entrepreneurs’ Rights, Executive Secretary of the Moscow Entrepreneurs’ Council.
9. Alexey S. Teteruk, PhD in Political Science, Lecturer at MGIMO University’s Department of Political Theory, GR Manager at AstraZeneca.
10. Denis V. Bril, PhD in Economics, Director of Government Relations at iHerb.
11. Arkady N. Murashev, Head of EPPA Russia Consulting Company.
12. Karen P. Markaryan, Advisor to the General Director of Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation.
13. Valery N. Tarasov, PhD in Economics, Deputy General Director for External Communications at VostokUgol, Associate Professor at MGIMO University’s Faculty of Management and Politics.
14. Ulyana Artemova, Representative of the MGIMO GR Club.
15. Maria Bazhenova, Representative of the Financial University GR Club.
16. Tatiana Godilo, Representative of the MSU GR Club.
Source: Financial University News