Public diplomacy in Russia
If we go back to history, a distinctly Russian approach to public diplomacy started in 1925 when various Soviet artists including poet V.Mayakovsky, composer D.Schostakovich and S.Prokofiev, film director S.Eisenstein and others were gathered into the society of cultural relations with foreign countries. The society's aim was to promote Russia culture abroad plus to introduce foreign culture to Russian people.
Currently the aims of public diplomacy are fulfilled under the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, known as Rossotrudnichestvo. It is an autonomous Russian federal government agency under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was established in September 2008. Rossotrudnichestvo has been performing its activities more than 80 countries through Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC). In 2015, Rossotrudnichestvo celebrated 90th years of people's diplomacy in Russia.
Rossotrudnichestvo deals with support and promotion of Russian language abroad. A strategic policy tool in the field of Russian language became the Federal target program "Russian language" for 2016-2020. Thousands of people are currently studying the Russian language at the offices of the Rossotrudnichestvo in many countries of the world. To promote the Russian language, the Agency creates the conditions for its practical application, and education in the Russian language.
Modern Russia has a huge potential for promotion of its culture and rich historical heritage abroad. Rossotrudnichestvo's activities and its diplomatic mission sent abroad for adaption of fair views of modern Russia, its material and spiritual potential and the content of domestic and foreign policy of the country. The agency collaborates in scientific, cultural, informational and humanitarian fields to the Russian non-profit, non-governmental and religious organizations, governmental and non-governmental structures of foreign courtiers, international and regional organizations and still immensely working with these organizations for further consolidation of public relations through the promotion of Russian art, literature, education and the programs related to public affairs.