Dear WRF Supporter,
I know it has been a little while that we were last in touch but I hope this note finds you and yours safe and well.
Whilst things have quietened for many of us this year, the WRF has been no exception and whereas until recently we would have held a number of events, as well as our annual conference – we been hampered by the new realities like you all, but have been no less busy! I thought however that it was a good time to write out to keep you updated as to what we have been and are planning to accomplish in the coming year!
We have had a productive year and were especially pleased to launch our COVID support network – this network is still in place for all those that need help and support. Please get in touch if we can be of any assistance.
The Year to Date & Our 2020-2021 Plans
Our Annual Forum: It is around this date that we would have held our annual forum – last year we attracted some 180 attendees from across the UK as well as Russia and Europe – the annual ‘Multilateral Relations’ forum is the only event of its kind in the UK and an important tool in promoting dialogue.
The event is now in its fourth year and has grown year on year, with a range of attendees and supporting organisations supporting us. It is well known that UK-European and Russian relations can often be fraught, but it is events like our annual forum that helps to provide a key platform for debate and dialogue.
As physical events are currently not an option we have moved the 4th Annual Multilateral Relations Forum to the 14th May 2021. If you are interested to speak, sponsor or join us please get in touch!
We are however delighted to announce that in lieu of a physical conference this year we will be holding a Digtital East West Forum in cooperation with Rossotrudnichestvo and our key partners on the 20th November 2020. More details to follow.
Our Events: As mentioned we have had no option but to postpone physical events until next year but for now we have simply placed all physical panel and networking events to summer of next year and put in a series of online social events – we will be adding speakers to them in due course. For all future online and 2021 physical events please click here.
Online Blog & Release of WRF’s Extensive Archive of UK-Russian Relations: We have a wide range of great blog articles, with some excellent opinion pieces on everything from business, culture, history and poilitics.
With an active blog and archive for over six years we have over 6000 searchable blogs, articles, videos and live statement feeds from the UKTI, Russian Trade Delegation, FCO & Ministry of Foreign Affairs – in short it is a wonderful tool and archive for all those interested in UK-Russian ties. As a neutral body we like to present both sides of the argument and as such have the official feeds from both the UK and Russian Governments! Feel free to search away!
To start searching click the link below and use the search icon on the top right of the screen above the blogs.
We welcome all submissions so do please get in touch. To see our blog please click here.
Our 2020-2021 Campaign – EngageRussia!: We are pleased to announce that later this year we will be launching our 2021 campaign to promote the positive elements of our trade, culture and social relations. Whilst many organisations will focus on the negative aspects of out ties, we recognise the challenges and areas of contention but believe that our ties go further than the headlines – to this end we see it as our responsibility to highlight the importance of our people to people economic and cultural ties. More to follow!
WRF Expands the Team / Partnerships: The WRF is pleased to announce that our representatives have been busy forging ties in their own regions but we are delighted to announce the addition of Nick Sutton, our Representative for the North of England.
We have also made a number of new partnerships with Russian and German organisations including a major German business association (will be announced shortly), as well as a number of cultural and social groups in Russia.
2021 International Expansion Plans: We have put all International and regional expansion plans on hold due to COVID until 2021 – watch this space for announcements but we have a tentative Moscow launch reception date of September 2021.
We will be making further announcements on all of the above but wish you all well in the meantime.
With Best Regards,
Nic Cobb, Chair & the WRF Board
