The specification of the Northwest Region of Russia has become a growing requirement for the inhabitants of distant, difficult to reach districts, to receive education and acquire experience in solving familiar moral and ecological problems in the conditions of profound social changes.
The project aims in every place to satisfy that requirement, applying modern global information technology and linking it with the rich scientific, aesthetic, pedagogical and moral potentials of society out of ten cultural centres in the northwest of Russia: Petrozavodsk, Syktyvkar, Arhangelsk, Murmansk, Kaliningrad, Vologda, Novgorod, Pskov and Kirov.
The project is based on the voluntary and creative interaction of four groups of participants:
The philanthropic foundation "Intellect and Life" coordinates the financial resources drawn to the project, and works on the information/technological basis of the project.
Avant-garde universities, higher institutions and creative organizations out of the ten cultural centres of the northwest of Russia. This group of participants works on methods and organizes the continuing functioning of the distance education programs.
Television companies, publishing houses, communications networks for data transport distribute instructive and educative information, arrange interactive communication.
Governments and administrations of the Northwest region of Russia coordinate and realize the project in terms of tax and customs privileges.
A participant in the project is any organization which accepts the basic principles of the project and dedicates material and financial resources to the foundation "Intellect and Life".
The project does not follow commercial aims, but is based on the firm economical base and material interest of scientists, teachers and highly qualified specialists.
The financial sources of the project are the state budget, privileged state and municipal credit, philanthropic offerings, the help of foreign and international organizations, the profit from fees and advertising spots, and subscriptions from participants for the project budget.
All income above expenses will be directed towards upgrading the distance education technology and methods up to world class quality service, attainable by the end of the 21st century.
Vitalij Titov, St-Petersburg, Russia
memo@vitatur.spb.su
English translation by:
Marvin Entz, Vancouver, Canada
The author adds that it would be interesting to receive any reactions from those who would like to participate in the project. He hopes to receive advice from the readers of International Teletimes.