At the center of attention - problems of the economy and society modernization

The current stage of global, national and regional economy is characterized by uncertain and unstable development, the rapid change of situations. These changes throw new challenges to real life. They must be adapted, responded. For the domestic economy in the new XXI century the challenge is the economic and social modernization of Russian regions.

6 – 8 October, 2011 Vologda hosted VI International Scientific and Practical Conference “Strategy and Tactics of Socio-Economic Reforms Implementation: the Regional Aspect”. The main emphasis of the conference was on the determination of prospects for modernization, the search of opportunities and mechanisms for its implementation. For the first time such a forum was held in 1997, and then conferences have been held every two years. Importance to this event has been largely attached by its preparation and implementation under the direct guidance of Academician Dmitry Semenovich Lvov. The authority of Dmitry Semenovich contributed to the enlisting of academicians and leading scholars in Economics of RAS for the conference.

Participation in such events of the leading scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the workers of scientific and educational institutions, the heads and specialists of federal, state and local authorities, the representatives of economic entities allows to take into account a variety of views and form a broad look at the problems in question, understand more deeply the implementation aspects of the strategy and tactics of territorial systems and economic entities in the current economic conditions.

2011 is the year of the post-crisis economy recovery. For our country it is also characterized by the end of one political cycle and the beginning of another. However, the financial and economic crisis showed that the problems of the Russian regions are similar to the problems of other countries, the way out of this situation we should find together, using each other’s experience. In this regard, the current, sixth conference was attended by the representatives of foreign countries. Thus, September 28 – 30, 2011 in Vologda within its framework there was the Russian-Chinese forum on issues of the development of trade and economic relations between Russia and China, cooperation in solving regional problems.

Scholars from the Republic of Belarus, Poland and Finland spoke at the conference. The representatives of Hungary and Slovakia were able to take part at the conference via the Internet.

Scholars and practitioners from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Syktyvkar and Vologda represented Russian audience. Overall, over 250 participants attended the conference.

Opening the plenary sitting, Director of the Institute of Socio-Economic Development of Territories of RAS (ISEDT RAS), Doctor of Economics V.A. Ilyin noted the importance of the forum in the difficult period for Russia and expressed appreciation to the Economics section of the Department of Social Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences, the Government of the Vologda Oblast, the administration of Vologda for their support and assistance in organizing this very important event.

In his welcome speech Vice-Governor of the Vologda Oblast N.V. Kostygov noted the importance of supporting the economy and social sphere by regional bodies, emphasized the need of participation of all civil society in modernizing the economy, the importance of recommendations of scientific conferences for the sustainable socio-economic development of the region.

The report of Academician V.I. Mayevsky was focused on key issues of the development strategy of the Russian Federation. He criticized the views of representatives of the liberal persuasion with respect to the competitiveness of Russia, ability to attract investment in the modernization of its economy, strengthen the country’s dependence on sales of natural resources, as well as the negative demographic processes. Economic growth models proposed by liberal economists, according to Academician, have no prospects. He pointed to the importance of rethinking the strategic choice of the Russian Federation, need to strengthen the state’s role in the socio-economic development.

The conference presidium

General Director of the Governance and Problem Analysis Centre, professor S.S. Sulak-shin presented the concept of a new governance model in Russia, based on the concept of “target criterion of successful development in different spheres of the country”, aimed at the economic growth and departure from the liberal paradigm.

The speech of First Deputy Governor of the Vologda Oblast, Ph.D. in Economics L.G. Iogman was focused on the socioeconomic development of the post-crisis period, the key directions of strategy and tactics of modernizing the region’s economy.

Director of ISEDT RAS, Doctor of Economics V.A. Ilyin drew attention to the problems of Russia’s development, including: the lack of any significant positive changes in the industrial structure, the negative manifestations of economic interests of the owners of large corporations, the low level of labor potential use, etc.

In the report of Academician of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus P.G. Nikitenko the questions of competitiveness of territorial socio-economic systems were raised. Based on the author’s theoretical and methodological concept, established on the basis of a systematic approach, principle of synergy, self-organization phenomena, the analysis of the level of competitiveness was carried out, the necessity of policy adjustment, depending on the specifics of the region, was proved.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Industrial Production of RAS, corresponding member of RAS V.I. Suslov devoted his speech to the problems of synergy of regional innovation systems.

The Head of Vologda E.B. Shulepov told about a new approach of managing the city, based on the project approach, government partnership, society and business.

The report of Doctor of Economics O.B. Braginsk y (CEMI RAS) was devoted to the creating of a gas and chemical complex of the world level in Cherepovets.

Senior scientific associate of the Institute for Socio-Economic and Energy Problems of the North of the Komi Science Centre of RAS, adviser V.N. Lazhentsev represented results of the assessment of levels of socio-economic development of the European North and proved the necessity to strengthen the internal Russian spatial integration, including new emerging macro- and mesoeconomic structures.

The conference participants

In the speech of Director of the Institute of Economics, Karelian Research Center of RAS, Doctor of Technics A.I. Shishkin was raised the problem of modernizing the economy of the European North based on partnership of government, business and society.

Director of Institute for Social and Economic Research, the Ufa Science Centre of RAS, Doctor of Economics D.A. Gainanov focused on the issues of the socio-economic development of municipal formations.

In the report of the Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of Scientific and Organizing Management of RAS, PhD in History V.K. Egorov were presented the problems of the formation of corporate social responsibility in the Russian Federation. In his opinion, we should “avoid uncritical borrowing of Western socio-economic practices, taking into account own historical experience and the peculiarities of national psychology in the legislative activity among other information”.

The conference was divided into six breakup groups.

The participants of the breakup group №1 “Problems of Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of Territories” considered a wide range of the issues of socio-economic development.

The problems of the industrial and postindustrial transformation processes of northern region were represented by the Head of the Laboratory of the Institute for Socio-Economic and Energy Problems of the North of the Komi Science Centre of RAS, Ph.D. in Geography T.E . Dmitrieva.

In the speech of the Head of the Department of Finance and Credit of the Vologda

State Technical University (VSTU), Ph.D. in Economics E.S. Gubanova was raised the issue of the intensification of the investment process in the Vologda Oblast.

The speech by Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics of the Karelian Science Centre of RAS, Ph.D. in Economics, Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics O.V. Tolstoguzova was devoted to the differentiation of Russian regions and problems of improvement of a regional policy.

The significance of public-private partnership for economic properties of Vologda was mentioned by Deputy Head of Vologda, Head of the Department of Economic Development L.D. Fomicheva who described the dialogue between business and government.

The role of rural building in the sustainable development of rural territories was considered in the speech of Ph.D. in Eonomics G.S. Staroverova (VSTU). Head of the Bureau of Monitoring of Socio-Economic Development of Municipalities of the Municipalities’ Development Department of the Vologda Oblast, Ph.D. in Economics A.N. Poromonova drew attention of participants to factors contributing to the sustainability of the socioeconomic development of rural territories.

The report of Associate professor of the Department of Geography of the Vologda State Pedagogical University (VSPU), Ph.D. in Geography N.V. Soldatova was devoted to the dynamics of settling and system of local centers of the Vologda Oblast. Head of the Department for Migration of the Migration Service of Russia in the Vologda Oblast A.N. Porokhova touched upon the issue of migration processes that affect the socio-economic development of territories.

The impact of globalization and its influence on the formation of competitive environment was considered by Head of the Department of Commerce and Merchandising of the Vologda Business Institute, Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Economics I.E. Sorokina .

To the assessment of competitive advantages in the region was devoted the speech of A.P. Ermolov , Consultant of the Strategic Planning Bureau of the Department of Economics of the Vologda Oblast Government.

The participants knew about the results of the project “Velikiy Ustyug – Homeland of Father Frost” from the report of the Chief Specialist of the Bureau of Tourism of the Department of International, Interregional Ties and Tourism of the Vologda Oblast J.N. Bulatova . The speech of Junior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS E.G. Leonidova was devoted to the priorities of tourism development in the districts of the Vologda Oblast.

At the sitting of the group № 2 were considered theoretical and practical aspects of enhancing effectiveness of the functioning of organizations in different spheres, as well as the issues of competitiveness of the region.

In his report the Head of the Information and Publications Division of the State Regional Center of Standardization, Metrology and Testing in Saint-Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast, Ph.D. in Economics V.V. Ilyin raised the issue of the economy and quality of the regional development.

Objectives and ways to increase the efficiency and quality growth of the real sector of the economy were presented in the speech of the deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Vologda Oblast, leader of the faction of the Communist Party N.A. Zharavin .

The problem of forest certification as a factor of the sustainable development of the forest sector was identified in the report of Scientific associate of ISEDT RAS R.Yu. Selimenkov . On the problems of private farms in Russia at the beginning of the XXI century drew attention the Head of the Department of post-graduate courses of VSPU Ph.D. in History S.G. Karpov .

One of the most urgent for the discussion was a report on the development of flax cluster in the region, represented by the Head of the Department of Industry, Science and Innovation Policy of the Vologda Oblast Government, Ph.D. in Economics A.V. Maklahov .

Problems associated with the study of competitiveness of enterprises and industries were raised in the reports of two participants of the group. The teacher of the branch of the St. Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics in Vologda Y.M. Gorina represented methods and techniques of assessing competitiveness in the textile industry. Deputy General Director of JSC “Vologda bakery plant” S.B. Nikolaev raised the issue of improving the competitiveness of the enterprise.

Issues relating to the scope of work and personnel policies were considered in the reports of Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Planning and Investment Policy of the administration of Vologda, Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics I.A. Makaryina and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Psychology of VSPU A. Klimova .

Associate Professor of VSTU, Ph.D. in Economics O.G. Moronova raised the issue of food security in the regions of the European North of Russia. Assistant professor of VSDA named after N.V. Vereshchagin O.I. Barinova concentrated on the issues of improvement of information system of management at an enterprise.

The problem of import substitution in the engineering industry of the Vologda Oblast was reflected in the speech of Associate Professor of the Department of Economics and Management of VSTU, Ph.D. in Economics I.M. Guliy .

In the course of the group № 3 were examined issues related to the main governmental priorities of modernization of the regional economy, highlighted the key problems, prospects and ways of modernization of the Russian education system, designated tasks of innovation and technological development of the regions and cities of Russia.

The sitting of the group began with the speech of Pro-rector for Research Work of VSPU, Head of the Department of National History, Doctor of History M.A. Beznin who represented the mechanisms of intellectual capital formation of the Russian countryside in the light of Soviet experience.

Reports of the Head of the Industrial and Innovation Policy Department of the Institute of Economic Problems named after G.P. Lusin of the Karelian Research Center of RAS, Ph.D. in Technics V.A. Zuckerman and the Head of the Department of Marketing of Scientific Products and Information Service of ISEDT RAS, Ph.D. in Economics I.A. Kondakov were devoted to the modernization of the regional economy.

The Head of the Sector of Scientific and Technological Development of the Institute of Economics of NAS, Ph.D. in Economics V.A. Kolotukhin highlighted the main directions and prospects for improving scientific and technological cooperation of NWFD of Russia and Belarus.

O.I. Martyniuk , Deputy Dean for Education of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of the Pskov State Pedagogical University named after S.M. Kirov spoke about a student-centralized approach as the basis of the educational process in the transition to the federal state educational standards of higher education.

The problems of development of education at the regional level were disclosed in the reports of Pro-rector for Scientific and Methodological work of the Vologda Institute of Education Development, Ph.D. in Pedagogy M.A. Uglitskaya and Management Consultant of the Bureau of Strategic Planning of the Department of Economics of the Vologda Oblast A.A. Efremova .

The problems of modernization of the industrial complex of the Vologda Oblast were considered by Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Economics O.A. Gribanova and Junior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS E.A. Mazilov .

Issues of formation of the institute of social technologists in gerontology social work of the Vologda Oblast were highlighted by Associate Professor of the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities of VSTU I.Yu. Korolev . The employee of the “Vologda Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring” Yu.O. Mamadkulov outlined the problem of using the results of hydrometeorological modeling for the economic evaluation of possible damages.

The report of Scientific Associate of ISEDT RAS, Ph.D. in Economics O.V. Podolyakin was addressed to the issues of the social development potential of small businesses in the region. A.A. Gordeeva , post-graduate student of VSDA named after N.V. Vereshchagin, drew attention of listeners on the problems of innovation-oriented agricultural development in the region. Rector of VBI, Ph.D. in Technics A.M. Perfiliev told about promising technologies of funding innovative projects.

The participants of the breakup group № 4 considered issues related to the problems in modern domestic education, health care, as well as a number of important issues related to human capital.

The sitting began with a speech of the Head of the Regional Department of Federal State Statistics Service of the Vologda Oblast A.G. Lysov who gave the analysis of census results in the Vologda Oblast. The reports of representatives of the Department of Health Care of the Vologda Oblast, Ph.D. in Medical Science M.D. Duganova and T.E. Lazareva were devoted to health care issues in the Vologda Oblast.

Casimir Popelskiy, Professor of the Catholic University of Lublin (Poland), spoke about the importance of human capital in support process of health. His colleague, Doctor of Psychology Lily Sukhotskaya raised the issue of responsibility for health. The representative of the University of Applied Sciences Kymenlaakso (Finland), Henrik Luikko spoke about interna- tional exchange as a factor in qualitative growth of human potential. The role of economic science in the evolution of social consciousness was highlighted in the report of the Head of the Department of Economics of VSDA named after N.V. Vereshchagin, Doctor of Economics M.V. Selin.

Deputy Head of the United Center of Northern Caucasus Social Research of the Institute of Social and Political Studies, Ph.D. in Social Science I.A. Seleznev told about the reform of higher education and the problems of information development in Russia. M.A. Terent’eva , Junior scientific associate of the Institute for Socio-Economic and Energy Problems of the North of CSC RAS highlighted the features of the labor potential use of the region.

The problems of motivation and stimulation in continuing education were disclosed in the report of Associate Professor of the Department of Pedagogy of VSPU, Ph.D. in Pedagogy I.V. Balashova . Deputy Director of ENGECON in Vologda L.V. Babich represented the results of studies on the effectiveness of human capital at the regional level. Active discussion among the participants of the group was caused by the report of Senior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS, Ph.D. in Economics L.V. Kostyleva which was devoted to inequality and poverty in Russia.

At the sitting of the breakup group № 5 were examined issues related to the development of civil society and its institutions in the modern period. Associate Professor of the Vologda Institute of Educational Development, Ph.D. in History V.A. Talashova dedicated the report to the question of the significance of the introduction and implementation of design technologies in educational institutions.

Associate professor of the Department of General Pedagogical Psychology, Ph.D. in Psychology of VSPU I.V. Fokina considered the theoretical aspects of civil selfconsciousness.

The social aspects of modernization of territories were disclosed in the speech of Deputy Director of ISEDT RAS, Ph.D. in History K.A. Gulin . The features of social perception of economic and political processes (public protests, social identity, the level of approval of the institutes of civil society) were discovered by the employees of ISEDT RAS: Senior scientific associate T.A. Guzhavina , Junior scientific associates T.P. Kozhina and I.N. Dementieva .

Scientific associate of ISEDT RAS, Ph.D. in Economics M.V. Morev presented the main results of the research on the social health of population. The problems of creating conditions for the self-determination of youth in Vologda in social and professional life as the important aspect of economic development of the municipal economy were considered in the report of Junior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS M.A. Golovchin .

The breakup group № 6 was devoted to the modernization of mechanisms and municipal government development of socio-economic systems. The Head of the Department of Strategic Planning and Investment policy of the administration of Vologda, Ph.D. in Economics K.A. Zadumkin presented the main elements of the strategic management of a municipal formation, showed the video on the importance of participation of each resident in the environmental improvement of the city.

E.A. Cheremukhina , the Head of the Municipalities’ Development Department of the Vologda Oblast told about the program of low-rise building in the Oblast. This topic was continued in the report of Junior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS N.Yu. Litvinova .

The issues of agriculture and rural development, mechanisms of state support, motivation of workers in agricultural organizations were disclosed by the Head of the Committee of Economic Policy of the Department of Agriculture, Food Stocks and Trade of the Vologda Oblast M.N. Ivanova, Associate Professor of the Department of Production Management of VSDA named after V.N. Vereshchagin, Ph.D. in Economics A.S. Cheshin, Junior scientific associates of ISEDT RAS A.N. Chekavinsky, V.S. Uskov, I.S. Rogova, Research engineer of ISEDT RAS O. Yu. Garmanova.

Deputy Head of the Department of Finance of the Vologda Oblast V.N. Artamonova told about the problems of the formation of regional budget. In the report of A.I. Povarova , Scientific associate of ISEDT RAS were reflected the problems and prospects of budget provision of the regions of the North-West Federal District. Scientific associate of ISEDT RAS A.L. Mikishanov focused on the issues of social funds in the period of the economic crisis.

The questions of local budgets were taken up in the report of Junior scientific associate of ISEDT RAS M.A. Pechenskaya . The most acute problems of local self-government were raised in the speeches of A.V. Kolesnikov , Executive Director of the Association “Council of Municipalities of the Vologda Oblast” and V.I. Chevgunov , the Head of the Vytegra district.

The conference participants have summarized that the country faces major tasks: to create an innovative economy, strengthen democratic institutions, ensure the citizens of Russia to feel positive changes in their lives. Based on the necessity to solve these problems, participants recommend:

• 1.    Federal and regional authorities to develop the substantiated strategy and tactics of gradual modernization of the country and its regions. Conduct the public discussion and harmonization of national and regional programs of modernization of social and economic development.

• 2.    Intensify efforts to validate the innovative techniques of modernization of modern Russia in order to create conditions for transition to the innovative way of development.

• 3.    Strengthen the emphasis of regional socio-economic policies for diversification of material production, investment stimulation.

• 4.    To improve regional policies of the development of labor resources to get balance on the labor market. To encourage cooperation of employers with educational institutions, to improve the system of continuing professional education. To use more fully the possibility of migration processes to improve the quality of labor resources.

• 5.    Regional authorities and management to seek insistently ways of strengthening local government, forms and methods of stimulating territories that implement development programs, strengthen their income base, increase their own tax revenues. To use the potential of self-organization and regional development centers.

• 6.    Regional and local authorities to intensify the modernization of social sphere, to expand access to quality education and health services for the majority of population. To further the formation of healthy lifestyle.

• 7.    To promote interaction between government, business community, science and media; to spread more actively existing local experience in the field of the management of socioeconomic potential of territories.

• 8.    Representative and executive bodies, research institutions, higher education institutions to strengthen analytical, expertise and organizational activities to find the most effective forms, methods and tools of socioeconomic processes. To pay special attention to improving forms and methods of support of creative and motivated employees.

• 9.    To implement consistently in the regions measures of overcoming state and political corruption. To develop territorial institutions of civil society.

Based on the restructuring of the economy to achieve rapid development of industries and enterprises, which are the basis of a new technological structure.

We have every reason to believe that the scientific conference will further the economic and social modernization of Russian regions.

***

The table shows the results of the express inquiry of the participants of the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference on assessment of their satisfaction with the event and its results and the level of the plenary and the breakup groups meetings organization.

Results of express inquiry (on ten-points scale: 1 point – low ... 10 – high)

Conference participants	Plenary meeting		Breakup groups meetings
	Satisfaction with the event and its results	Overall organization	Satisfaction with the event and its results	Overall organization
Group 1	8.9	9.7	8.8	9.1
Group 2	9.2	9.4	8.7	9.5
Group 3	9.1	9.2	9.0	9.3
Group 4	9.3	9.6	9.2	9.4
Group 5	9.6	9.3	9.7	10.0
Group 6	9.2	9.3	8.5	8.8
Total assessment	9.2	9.4	9.0	9.4