RUSSIAN-AMERICAN PROGRAM
44 years after its establishment as the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, the program now called the Russian-American Project (RAP) continues to produce meaningful partnerships among leaders in in the former Soviet states and the United States. In recent years, RAP has worked to understand and contextualize the worsening relations between Russia and the West through conferences held in New York, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. At these summits, RAP seeks pathways to saner and more amicable relations, and the potential for collaboration on issues of shared concern. The Ukraine invasion in 2022 has inspired Track Two to open new doors for peace building in those fields that still hold promise for some colaboration. Sciene, culture as well as bridges within the diaspora offer hope that many years of building relationships is not wasted but rather creating more urgent opportunities for colaboration.
CURRENT WORK
In February, 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Track Two launched a daily then bi-weekly newsletter collecting news and perspectives from Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the US on the invasion and the ongoing war. In 2023 Track Two began a 6-conference series on Future Russia (and the former Soviet States.) The 2023 conference brought Ukrainians and Russians together to discuss opportunities to collaborate on relief opportunities. In 2024 the conference focused on Russian emgres and how they might influence the future of Russia. Previously, in 2018 and 2019 Track Two initiated the Whom Do We Trust Conference series to invite younger generations into our work. 2018 looked at the emerging topic of "fake news" and particularly how it has impacted young people's perceptions about international relations between Russia and America. Whom Do We Trust brought Russian and American students together for a highly interactive event over three days in St. Petersburg, Russia. The theme of trust and what sources can be trusted when exploring information regarding the positions of different countries and cultures on these major threats will continue to be a part of Track Two's work, as will be introducing younger generations to the opportunities offered by non-governmental diplomacy.
