EAST LANSING, Mich. — Countries bordering the Arctic Circle continue to wage a territorial battle over the icy tundra’s natural resources. But United States’ support of Russian exploration there could yield new economic opportunities for both countries, according to a Michigan State University senior who has been named Michigan’s first Kremlin Fellow.
Fully funded by the Russian Federal Agency on Youth Affairs, Christopher Schotten, from Livonia, will spend Nov. 13-20 in Moscow meeting with senior Russian officials from all branches of power, as well as Russian students and academics, think tanks and corporations. The mission: To arm the next generation of American leaders with a better understanding of the global importance of Russia.
With such knowledge, they can tackle issues such as Arctic ownership, Schotten said. The 22-year-old political theory major, in MSU’s James Madison College, is immediate past president of Associated Students of Michigan State University.
“I’m definitely well connected and well-grounded in issues that affect U.S. youth, so I can offer quite a bit in discussions, especially with Russian youth,” Schotten said. “This program offers an opportunity for young leaders to break down cultural and political barriers and grow the knowledge base between the two countries.”
In addition to his role with ASMSU, Schotten participated in MSU’s judicial program, was instrumental in reforming students’ academic freedom report and assisted in the creation of some new student programs.
Schotten will join 15 other student government leaders from around the country. The Russian government started the program in November 2010 to empower young, leadership-minded Americans to dismantle Cold War stereotypes.
After the original cohort returned to the United States, some of them formed the Center for American-Russian Engagement of Emerging Leaders to sustain a network of American and Russian leadership. As an example, CAREEL helps current and past fellows implement academic exchange programs.
When Schotten returns, he hopes to focus his efforts on a hard-science partnership between MSU and Russian universities.
“U.S.-Russian relations are in an interesting phase, as the Russian political leadership seems to be making initiatives to engage a wide range of potential partners constructively, welcoming again foreign direct investment in key sectors,” said Norm Graham, director of MSU’s Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Schotten added that his knowledge of post-Cold War Russia comes only from his coursework at MSU. Due to a lack of proper education, people often don’t understand the current state of U.S.-Russian affairs, he said, but Kremlin Fellows can help change that.
“In a world that gets smaller every day, one in which our nation’s fate depends on events around the globe, it’s more important than ever to reach out to other nations, to learn about their culture, heritage, politics and people,” said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. “I’m sure Christopher’s experience will change his life, and the experience and knowledge he brings back will make our nation stronger.”
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