University of Helsinki
Yesterday in Oodi library a panel discussion on environmental activism in Russia “Citizens, authorities, and waste management in Russia” was held. The event was organised by Suomi-Venäjä Seura and was conducted in Russian and Finnish languages. The seminar addressed current environmental issues related to waste management from the perspective of activists and researchers. Pavel Andreev, chief editor of the 7×7 online media outlet, PhD candidate Elena Gorbacheva, and Professor Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen participated In the discussion, chaired by Satu Hassi, Finnish MP from the Green Party.
The speakers highlighted the Shies protests – since summer 2018, people in Arkhangelsk region and Komi Republic are actively protesting against the landfill construction for Moscow waste in their area. The protesters formed “Stop-Shies” coalition, and now they organise people’s primaries and aim to select one candidate, “People’s governor”, which they will actively promote and hope to see as the new governor of Arkhangelsk region.
The video recording of the event is available below: