Center for Citizen Initiatives
Productivity Enhancement Program
Civic-minded Americans are invited...
...to take part in the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP), which is designed to assist Russia in its strenuous transition to a free market economy.
About the Program
The Productivity Enhancement Program is an intensive training program created to increase Russian domestic production. Russian entrepreneurs are brought to the U.S. for month-long training programs to receive information on management skills, methods of production and new technologies. This is a unique opportunity for fledgling Russian business people to accelerate the process of learning how to function in a free market economy, and to provide them with hands-on experience in all aspects of running their own companies.
Why Civic Clubs?
- The goals of PEP correspond to the main objectives of American civic clubs, such as Rotary: "to encourage and foster the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
- Rotarians, Kiwanis & Lions have proven to be the best partners in our efforts to jump-start this program. They were the first in supporting us in developing the program and bringing the first delegations from Russia to Oregon. Without generous sponsorship and time donated to the program, we would never be able to fulfill our mission.
- Civic Club members are often the best organizers in their communities, have the largest network among community businesspeople, and wield the most power to get things done.
Why Americans Should Help Russians
Many American citizens may ask why they should care about what happens on the other side of the world, with a country that until recently was our political and ideological enemy. The answer to this question should be obvious.
A decade from now, will we have Russia and the former Soviet republics as productive trading partners in good standing in the world economy? Or will these newly-liberated countries remain stuck in the communist model, with internal turmoil, in constant need of financial assistance, and ready at the drop of a hat (or a coup) to revert back to communism?
America, as the leader of the free world, bears a special responsibility to help the former Soviet republics through this historic transition phase. CCI is providing the framework for thousands of American citizens to assume this responsibility right in their own communities.
Industries Emphasized
PEP concentrates on Russian producers in the following sectors:
- the food industry (farmers, food processors, bottling/canning, refrigeration, packaging, distribution, etc.)
- the construction industry (housing, remodeling, commercial buildings, furniture, plumbing, electricians, etc.)
- the "needle industries" (clothing, shoes, bedding, curtains, upholstering, hats, outdoor gear, etc.)
- health and medical products (pharmaceuticals, vitamins, homeopathy, instruments, medical supplies, etc.)
- and any other consumer goods or light industry products and services which help improve the quality of life of the average Russian citizen.
About Us
PEP is one of several foreign assistance programs run by the Center for Citizen Initiatives, a non-profit agency devoted to the development and advancement of "agents of change" in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The Center was established in 1983, and has since run education, training, internship and consulting programs with that goal in mind. We are located in San Francisco, but conduct programs throughout the United States.
Funding
PEP is a cost-sharing program. Since the U.S. foreign aid budget for Russia has been cut drastically for 1996 and the following years, new cost-effective methods for sharing information and technology between our countries are necessary. PEP's method is: U.S. industries and citizens contribute pro bono training and accommodations, Russian participants pay a percentage of the costs, and the United States Information Agency (USIA) provides funds for general operating costs.
U.S. Congressional Support
The Productivity Enhancement Program has received endorsements not only from President Clinton, but also from key bi-partisan Congressional leaders. Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich of Georgia, and House Minority Leader, Richard Gephardt of Missouri, both convinced their home states to host the first official PEP delegations.
For More Information
If you would like more information on this opportunity, please click here to request some printed information.
The PEP team is:
- Pola Shornik - Manager of Outreach Department
- Eleanor Gorman - Manager of Coordination Department
- Lara McCoy - Senior Program Officer - Presidential Management Training Initiative
- Beth Gelfand - Program Officer
- Andi Mowrer - Program Officer - Outreach
- Brad Rubins - Systems Administrator
- Gabriel Goodliffe - Program Officer - Coordinator
- Anastasia Moshkina - Program Officer - Outreach
- Jeff Cowgill - Senior Program Officer
- Juan-Carlos Navarro - Program Associate
- Davide Farinati - Program Assistant
- Serena Unger - Program Assistant
- Adriana Dakin - Program Assistant
- Carri Abrahms - Executive Assistant
- Steve Saum - Program Officer - Marketer
- Artyom Kackkovsky - Program Officer
- Emily Mestetsky - Program Officer
- Sonia Melnikova-Lavigne - Program Officer
- Meredith Karol - Program Officer
- Gillian Malone - Program Officer
- Wendy Taylor-Hall - Program Officer
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