JDC's Moscow School for NGO Management and Leadership Graduates Inaugural Class

Program operated in conjunction with Moscow's State University—Higher School for Economics; Graduation marks first time a state university in Moscow issues diplomas in NGO management

New York/Moscow---Twenty-three NGO professionals based in Moscow and St. Petersburg will graduate June 4 from the new Moscow School for NGO Management and Leadership. Initiated in 2005 by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the program focuses on developing NGO leaders and providing them with the tools necessary to manage non-profits in a rapidly evolving economy.

The Moscow School operates in conjunction with the prestigious Graduate Management School of the State University - Higher School of Economics. Offering a blend of academic and comprehensive practical training in different areas of NGO management, it is the first school of its kind in Russia. The course for Senior Management of NGOs is the second to be completed at the school this year. In February, 21 professionals graduated from the Meyerhoff Training Initiative for Public Relations and Fundraising.

"The establishment of the school is the next stage of JDC's strategy in the FSU — investing in high-level tailor-made programs for the new generation of Jewish leaders who are expected to lead the community towards a self-sufficient future" said Yoram Abergel, Country Director for JDC's activities for Moscow.

"The program for senior managers of NGOs represents a huge achievement in Russian education," said Prof. Sergei Filonovich, dean of the Graduate Management School and Academic Director of the program. "The program's success is reflected in several ways: the close partnership between the State University and the JDC resulted in a highly coordinated program that was implemented according to plan, an effective selection process resulted in very few dismissed students, and the emergence of an informal community whose members join together both personally and professionally outside of class.

"All this sounds like a dream, but becomes a reality when serious and constructive people come together to implement a vision."

While participants in the program have come from Jewish and non-sectarian organizations, one of the school's underlying goals is to galvanize Jewish communal organizations and other NGOs around the common goal of educating their professionals. In addition to classroom learning the school is also a center for young leaders and emerging intellectuals to participate in discussions on current affairs with experts and prominent figures who regularly attend classes and meet with students.

"We acknowledge the challenges which Russian NGOs face today," said JDC's Irina Lipski, acting director of the school. "The school's main objective is to answer the growing demand for well-trained and professionally-committed individuals who will serve the NGO sector and develop their careers as communal professionals, educators, project managers and community leaders.

"In the coming year, the school will launch six courses in different fields of NGO management that together address all levels and issues relevant to professionals and lay leaders of Moscow's NGOs."