Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Mon, 18 Nov 1996 11:52:55 -0800 (PST)
We found the following message on another listserve and thought there
might be some CivilSoc subscribers who would be interested in the project
and might be able to lend a hand. For more information contact Stephanie
Long at the Soros office in Moscow: [email protected]
* * * * * * * *
Open Society Institute "New Books to Russian Schools" project
For the past several years, The Open Society Institute and Soros Foundation
has been sponsoring the publication of a number of textbooks for
schoolchildren in Russia.
In 1995 and 1996 we have published a total of 36 titles. The specific aim
of this project is to take steps towards overcoming the huge shortage of
textbooks in this country - a number estimated to be at least in the tens
of millions - as well as encouraging the publication of books that speak
to the new situation here in Russia.
As you know, many of the books still used in Russia are very old, both
physically and in outlook. The new title for the project is "Uchebnaya
Literatura Novovo Pokoleniya," which accurately sums up the purpose
(the old title was "Novie Knigi - Rossiskim Scholam"). Many of these
books are of the type that were never before published here, and are
designed to fill in crucial gaps in available educational materials in:
* history
* political theory
* philosophy
* economics
* ecology
* psychology
* the arts
* literature (prose and poetry)
* civics
The majority of the books are for higher classes, but there are also a
number for younger students, and several for very young children.
Their publication was carried out in association with the Russian Ministry
of Education. Several of them are on the Federalnyi Komplekt. The books
are all in Russian and written by Russian experts - with one exception -
and they are all published by Russian publishing houses.
Another goal of the project is to support publishing houses in Russia
so that eventually they won't need our help to publish these kinds of
books. We want to turn the books into a "backlist" and get them into
the schools year after year, with updates and reissues as necessary.
But first it's necessary to get them out to the schools.
Book distribution systems are haphazard at best here, and we are working
to find other ways of getting the books into the schools. First, we need
to get the information hat they exist into the hands of teachers, parents,
and school administrators.
This is where your expertise might be able to help. I would be very
appreciative of any insight, information, andadvice you might be able to
offer on ways to get the books distributed in your area. Also, if you know
of places -schools, institutes, or other organizations that are involved
in education - that may be interested in buying the books, I would also be
glad if you could pass that on.
We are especially interested in getting these books outside the larger
cities, into places where the shortages are especially bad. Your experience
in these regions could make such a difference.
We have a sales representative who is also able to answer questions or take
orders.If you know of places with potential to order in your region, he can
travel there to meet with schools or administrators in person. His name
is Aleksander Anatolevich Romanchenko, and his phone number is (7095)
928-1637.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about the books or the
project itself.
I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 7095-249-3037.
Thanks in advance for your time.
All the best,
Stephanie Long
Moscow
Tel: (095) 249-3037
E-mail: [email protected]
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