“Foreign agents or common humanitarian space? – expectations and opportunities of German‑Russian civil society cooperation” is the title of a German‑Russian conference involving non‑governmental organizations taking place on 25 and 26 April at the Federal Foreign Office.

Among the approximately 350 participants are representatives of over 80 Russian NGOs, including organizations that were inspected by Russian authorities in the course of the country‑wide checks, such as Memorial (Moscow), AGORA (Kazan), Soldiers’ Mothers (St Petersburg) and Women for Development (Chechnya).

Also attending are members of the Russian Civil Society Council, including its Chairman Mikhail Fedotov.

The event is being organized by Dr Andreas Schockenhoff, the Coordinator of German‑Russian Intersocietal Cooperation. Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle will open the conference.