Jonathan Keenan and Vanessa DiDomenico Participate in Arctic Conference Exchange
By Jonathan Keenan, MALD 2018 Candidate, The Fletcher School
Have you ever read about a place and wondered about what being there would feel like? I had the chance to visit such a place from February 17-23 when I travelled to Moscow, Russia for MGIMO University’s International Student Arctic Week (ISAW 2018). Traveling with me was Vanessa DiDomenico, Fletcher Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy 2018 candidate, whose focus on maritime trade policy and law coupled well with my own on human and environmental policy. We were guided throughout the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), MGIMO University, and the central area of Moscow by Arik Burakovsky.
Our adventure in Russia started from the opening of the gate at Sheremetyevo International Airport, as Arik gave us a crash course in the Russian language. We began our tour of Moscow through Red Square, where an enormous celebration of Maslenitsa, an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday, was taking place. We then proceeded to go ice-skating at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh) park. On our first day, we weathered the Russian winter, tasted blini (Russian pancakes similar to crêpes), and admired Russian architecture.
The next day, the three of us made a formidable team as we presented at HSE University on the importance of science diplomacy in U.S.-Russian relations. We then had a lovely Russian dinner at Grand-Café Dr.Zhivago with five students from HSE University, MGIMO University, and Moscow State University. By conversing with my Russian colleagues, not only about the Arctic but also about their goals and aspirations, I was happy to discover the optimism we all share for the future, regardless of where we are from, and desire to continue learning and growing while forming international bonds.
The following morning we met with Robert Morgan, a diplomat in the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health section at the U.S. Embassy Moscow, to discuss U.S.-Russia relations in the Arctic. The remainder of the week was filled with ISAW 2018, which focused on sustainable development in the Arctic while considering energy, human security, and the environment. Leading these conversations were presenters like Alexander Vylegzhanin, Head of the Department of International Law at MGIMO University, and Vladimir Barbin, Senior Arctic Official of Russia, all of whom spoke candidly and gave significant insights into the future of Russia in the Arctic.
Before the conference every day, Vanessa and I were taken on excursions of various historical sites, including Lenin’s Mausoleum and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. We also got to explore the Moscow Metro, with subway stations giving homage to the Russian Revolution, and enjoy the paintings of the State Tretyakov Gallery, a wonder featuring some of the greatest Russian artworks of all time.
But what made a lasting impression on me was the interest of our colleagues not only from Russia but also from China, Hungary, and Turkey to engage with us openly and attentively. After each student expressed their perspectives on the Arctic at the beginning of the conference, we had plenty of interactions throughout the rest of the week. It is now only from afar that we may communicate and begin giving breath to our mutual desires for joint initiatives. Maybe next time I will host them as they visit one of the places they have read about.