How does EDC accommodate the concept of patriotism now that democratic transition has been made?
Unfortunately, the perestroika completely discredited the word patriotism. People who talked of love for their country were made to feel ashamed and ridiculous. Young graduates wasted no time in leaving the country because little fulfilment was to be gained from staying in Russia and working for Russia. As a result we lost a whole generation of young people. That is why one of the priorities of EDC is now to help the younger generation embrace and understand their country. We emphasis the need to help them develop their faculties of criticism and judgment: to choose between militarist nationalism and patriotism as the ability to be proud of and loyal to one’s country. Democratic changes require us to adopt a new approach to history and the world. For example, this year we are organising a competition for teachers who must propose teaching plans on the theme of totalitarianism and repression under Stalin. Why include the fight against terrorism in the EDC programme? If the problem of th
