MacArthur Foundation [to 11 July 2015]
http://www.macfound.org/

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Press release
Statement of MacArthur President Julia Stasch on Developments in Russia
Julia M. Stasch
Published July 8, 2015
“We are disappointed to learn of reports that the MacArthur Foundation is included on a list of organizations that will be recommended by the Federation Council to the Prosecutor General for potential designation as engaged in undesirable activity under recent legislation. This rests on a serious misunderstanding of our activities in Russia.

“Since 1991, the MacArthur Foundation has supported charitable and civic organizations working to improve the lives of Russian citizens, advance higher education in Russia, and help prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

“Our office in Moscow opened in 1992 and has since been staffed by dedicated Russians who love their country. The MacArthur Foundation is entirely independent of and receives no funding from the United States government. We do not engage in or support political activities.

“We are proud of the impactful work of organizations that we have supported in Russia. In higher education, several independent universities emerged, consolidated, won high placement in international ratings, and seeded a host of civil society initiatives. In turn, these projects enabled gifted practitioners and scholars to engage in research. In the field of human rights, our grantees protected vulnerable Russian citizens and enhanced the public discourse for all Russian people.

“We understand that the publication of this stop list by the Federation Council is not a determination that our activities are undesirable, as that determination rests with the Prosecutor General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We further understand the Prosecutor General will now review the list. We are hopeful that, upon review, the Prosecutor General will conclude that our activities have always been in compliance with Russian law.”