PetrSU Researchers Authored an International Joint Monograph



07 June 2018
The Reading Hall of the Scientific Library of PetrSU hosted a presentation of joint monograph Local Politics in a Comparative Perspective. The Case of Petrozavodsk and Tubingen.

The Reading Hall of the Scientific Library of PetrSU hosted a presentation of joint monograph Local Politics in a Comparative Perspective. The Case of Petrozavodsk and Tubingen.

The book was issued in Germany in 2017 under the editorship of Doctor Rolf Frankenberger (University of Tubingen) and the Associate Professor of the Department of World History, Political Science and International Relations of the Institute of History, Political and Social Sciences of PetrSU Elena Chernenkova with the financial support of the DAAD.

 
Р.Франкенбергер
Р.Франкенбергер
 

The book was prepared based on the results of the meetings and discussions that took place in 2016-2017 between researchers of the University of Tubingen and Petrozavodsk University, representatives of the administration of the two cities and NGOs.

The book has articles of 23 authors, among which are researchers of Petrozavodsk State University, the Flagship University of Karelia: Elena Chernenkova, Marina Gvozdeva, Aleksandr Iliin, Varvara Inozemtseva, Inna Kreneva, Yulia Petrovskaya, Mariya Pitukhina, Svetlana Rozhneva, Aleksandr Tolstikov, Elena Tsumarova, Olga Veselovskaya, Gleb Yarovoy.

The publication covers the studies into the practices of municipal politics. It also sums up the experience of practical activities of the representatives of the Administrations and NGOs of the twin-cities of Petrozavodsk and Tubingen, who are included in the system of city management and social partnership.

The editors presented the book to the general public and shared their experience of working on it.

Doctor Frankenberger admitted that he “did not know where to start, as the two twin-cities are so different”. “But as we started the research, it turned out that the two cities have much in common in terms of structure and activities. First of all, these are university cities. Secondly, a great number of citizens are involved in public life and try to make it better and more diverse,” explained Dr. Frankenberger.

 
Е.И.Черненкова
Е.И.Черненкова
 

According to Elena Chernenkova, the authors had to meet strict deadlines. “We had to work swiftly, diligently and efficiently. We succeeded in that,” said she. “However different economic, political and social environment our countries have, there are certain areas for the development of local communities that rely on the involvement, energy and commitment of individual people. Involvement in the work on the book is significant for me, as I realized that while our German colleagues and we speak different languages, we understand each other perfectly. This experience is one of the happiest moments in my life,” said Elena Chernenkova.

 
М.С.Гвоздева
М.С.Гвоздева
 

Marina Gvozdeva, the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of PetrSU and one of the authors of the book, shared her impressions on working in an international team: “Interdisciplinary and international group of authors managed to find common, interesting for both parties, issues to research. Doctor Frankenberg was the driver of this research. Thanks to him we have a lot of new ideas for the development of further cooperation.” According to the Vice-Rector, this “project” turned Petrozavodsk State University into an open environment for a dialogue between authorities, public organizations, researchers, students, and employees. “I am sure this is the beginning of a long fruitful journey,” noted Marina Gvozdeva.

 
Н.В.Лаврушина (в центре)
Н.В.Лаврушина (в центре)
 

Natalia Lavrushina, Consultant for International Relations of the Petrozavodsk City Administration, acted as a liaison between the two universities. “When I started my work at the Administration of the city, it seemed natural to promote the cooperation between the universities of Petrozavodsk and Tubingen. To me, it was a surprise that there have been virtually no contacts. The reason behind this is that the University of Tubingen is a leading European university that cooperates with universities of a similar level. We should appreciate the cooperation we have established and continue to develop it. One of the preliminary results is this joint monograph that facilitates the collaboration between our cities,” said Natalia Lavrushina.

At the end of the presentation, the authors presented several copies of the book to the Scientific Library of PetrSU.

The book is intended for researchers, specialist, representatives of public organizations and the general public.

Background

The twin-city relations between Petrozavodsk and Tubingen were established in 1989. The Agreement on Cooperation was signed by the Mayor of Tubingen O. Shmidt and the Executive Committee Chairman of Petrozavodsk City Council P.Peshchenko.

In 2019 the cities will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of cooperation.

 
 

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