Russian Association for Interntational Cooperation

The International Union of Public Associations "Russian Association for International Cooperation" (RAMS) is the legal successor of the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (SSOD) and the All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (VOKS), formed in 1958 and 1925, respectively.

The All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (VOKS) dealt with issues of cultural relations with foreign countries and coordinated this work on a state scale.

Its tasks included familiarizing the USSR public with the cultural achievements of foreign countries and popularizing the culture of the peoples of the Soviet Union abroad, which contributed to the development and strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the USSR and other countries. For these purposes, VOKS worked closely with foreign partners - societies for friendship with the USSR, created on the initiative of prominent public and government figures, scientists and cultural figures in many countries of the world, as well as with other foreign organizations that advocated friendship and the development of cultural exchange with the Soviet Union .

In 1958, numerous friendship societies were united into the Union of Soviet Friendship Societies (SSOD), which became the successor to VOKS. SSOD became a massive voluntary association of Soviet public organizations. The All-Union Conference was established as the highest governing body. The governing body between conferences was the Council, the executive body was the Presidium. This management structure at RAMS remains to this day.

Friendship societies united more than 25 thousand different enterprises and institutions, scientific, cultural, educational and educational institutions, etc. Over 50 million people participated in the work of the SSDS. In all Union republics, republican branches of the SSDS functioned, which annually held tens of thousands of events dedicated to foreign countries, their history, science, art, anniversaries and memorable dates, as well as solidarity with the peoples of foreign countries. About 2,000 events were held annually at the Moscow House of Friendship.

SSOD maintained contacts with 7,500 organizations, public figures and representatives of science and culture from 134 countries. There were 108 public associations and institutions of friendship with the USSR around the world. Many friendship societies were awarded state awards from the USSR and foreign countries.
After the collapse of the USSR, the International Union of Public Associations, the Russian Association for International Cooperation (RAMS), established in 1992, continued the activities of the SSOD in developing public relations.

Prominent figures of our country take part in the work of RAMS: parliamentarians, public figures, scientists, cultural figures, astronauts, writers, etc.; this clearly indicates that cooperation with foreign countries is of interest in Russia and attracts the attention of broad sections of the Russian public.

Today, RAMS members include 104 organizations - societies for friendship with different countries, as well as other organizations whose goal is to protect peace and friendship with all countries, harmonize international relations based on the rapprochement and interpenetration of cultures and economies, achieve agreement and ensure mutual understanding between peoples. The scope of active work of RAMS members in the field of public diplomacy extends to almost all aspects of life in Russia and partner countries: cultural and scientific ties, business contacts, socially oriented activities, education, informal communication, support for ideas of peace and cooperation.

The head of RAMS from the moment of its creation was Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, an outstanding social and political figure, the first female cosmonaut. The association was led at different times by Mitrofanova Eleonora Valentinovna, Mukhametshin Farit Mubarakshevich, Muradov Georgy Lvovich, Stepashin Sergey Vadimovich.

In September 2015, RAMS was headed by prof. Sergey Vyacheslavovich Kalashnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship

HISTORY RAIC