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Presentation of Swiss Research Partnership Projects

Swiss Universities for Applied Sciences and Swisscontact
A development promotion program backed by SDC

Agriculture as an instrument of social rehabilitation in Russia – Phase 2
Thomas Reber, Swiss College of Agriculture, University of Applied Sciences Berne

The overall goal of this project was to show how agriculture can be used as an effective instrument for social rehabilitation in Russia, using the example of the rehabilitation centre “Wasraschdenje”. The Swiss College of Agriculture, together with its main project partner, “The Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care” of Kaluga County, designed models to develop appropriate agricultural methods in the context of social rehabilitation. The effect of these models and their influence on the success of rehabilitation has been analysed during this project.

During the second phase of the project the main focus was on the following:

The continuation of the conception, adaptation and further development of agricultural activities which facilitate the provision of the centre’s own food supply, increase financial independence and positively affect the therapeutic programmes of the centre.
The editing and printing of a brochure, discussing the experiences gained. It is intended that this brochure will be distributed to interested individuals and institutions.
The dissemination of the findings of the project with respect to the rehabilitation work of the centre “Wasraschdenje”. An audio-visual documentary with numerous interviews has been produced. It is targeted at other rehabilitation centre leaders, members of humanitarian foundations, church leaders, politicians, social workers, medics, teachers, farmers, drug and alcohol addicts, etc.
The exposure of the centre to some practices, experience and knowledge gained outside Russia. To this end, a Swiss trainee moved to and lived in Russia for two years. He made his technical knowledge in agriculture and processing as well as his experience in social work available. It is planned to give Russian social workers the opportunity to do the same in Swiss rehabilitation centres.
The deepening of existing contacts and the establishment of new and valuable relations and networks. This was achieved during the two working/study weeks in Switzerland and Russia. Very constructive and fruitful knowledge transfer took place with practical application in Kaluga and at different places in the Ural area.

Due to the observations made during the study week in Switzerland, a pre-rehabilitation centre in the city of Kaluga was set up. This was an encouraging example of how knowledge transfer can bring concrete results. The wide scope and diversity of the interdisciplinary work undertaken, allowed for the development of interesting new approaches and techniques.
Out of the experiences gained during the two phases and the evaluation of needs, the following steps should be undertaken:

Further distribution of brochures and audio-visual documentaries
Dissemination of experience and knowledge by consultancy and coaching
Organisation of further conferences and seminaries
More trainees sent on exchange programmes between the two countries
The organisation of a study week in Switzerland with specialists and politicians.

The issue of fundraising to support further innovative rehabilitation initiatives and to finance subsequent steps has not yet being resolved.
Alcoholism and drug addiction are increasing all over the world and are becoming serious problems for society. During the field analysis before the start of the project, we realised that alcohol and drug dependency in Russia are true challenges for both the State and the population. In the regions of Central Russia effective treatment programmes for alcoholism and drug addiction exist, but there is little valuable experience in follow-up programmes regarding social reintegration and rehabilitation.
On the whole, this four-year project can be regarded as having been a very successful venture in developing and promoting sustainable ways of rehabilitation and social reintegration using agriculture. All partners involved gained significantly valuable specialized knowledge and their horizons were considerably broadened.
We are convinced that this venture is a valuable investment in the future of Russian rehabilitation work and offers a long-term contribution to the improvement of the social situation in that country.

This success challenges us to go ahead on the good foundation laid during the four years of international collaboration and to allow even more drug and alcohol specialists to make statements similar to that of a project partner doctor:

“…at the beginning of the project my primary question was; what was to be done to make solutions to the problem of drug and alcohol addiction more effective and sustainable?
Due to this project I now know what to do and the focus is now on the question of how we can put this new knowledge into practice in the Russian context!”

English summary of the final report Phase 1: Agriculture as an instrument of social rehabilitation in Russia
English summary of the final report

Alcoholism and drug addiction are increasing all over the world and are becoming serious problems for society. In Russia alcohol and drug dependency are true challenges for both the state and population. In the regions of Central Russia effective initial stages for curing alcoholism and drug addiction exist, but there is little valuable experience for social reintegration and rehabilitation.

In the rehabilitation centre, “Wasraschdenje”, as the first and only centre combining rehabilitation and agriculture in central Russia and with our main project partner, “The Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care” of Kaluga County, we have developed appropriate ways to show how agriculture works as an instrument for social rehabilitation. We have also analysed its influence over the rehabilitation success.

The main focus was on the conception of agricultural activities which facilitate their own food supply, increases the financial independence of the rehabilitation centre and has a positive effect on the therapy.

110 hectares of arable land could be recultivated for vegetables, potato, meadow and pasture. Small green houses were constructed by the rehabilitants to extend the vegetation period and to produce their own seedlings. We have increased animal production with mother cows for meat production to valorise the natural resources the best way according to the local food market demands. Food processing and conservation has been enlarged mainly for the auto consumption. An initial survey gave the necessary basic information to elaborate a sophisticated questionnaire paying attention to the local situation and the cultural context.

20 probates of “Wasraschdenje” were interviewed at the entrance of the therapy and again after practising a few months agricultural activities. Most of them were alcohol or drug addicts and suffered from numerous other obsessions such as tobacco, pornography, gambling, kleptomania, etc. Most of them entered “Wasraschdenje” on their own initiative or were admitted by friends, family, churches or social care institutions. Before entering the centre they had lived up to 60 months (in the average 22) without regular income. None of them still lived with their family. Staying with friends or even on the street they earned necessary money by daily work, dealing or other illegal incomes. More than half of them had been sent to prison up to 7 times.

85% of the questioned were in contact with agriculture in former time. 70% expect a positive or even very positive impact of agriculture for their personal rehabilitation progress at the beginning of the therapy. 13 state that they gather new agricultural know-how and experiences. 8 had experienced some special feeling of success. The main mentioned challenges for the rehabilitants are the lack of agricultural knowledge, shortage of means of production, pressure through weather, physical strain, lack of infrastructure, working with animals or working in a team. Many valuable suggestions to improve and extend the agricultural work, were given through the interviews.

The existing contacts have been deepened and new precious connections have been set-up during the two working weeks in Switzerland and Russia. A very constructive and fruitful knowledge transfer took place with practical application in Kaluga.

We are challenged to go ahead on the chosen path to allow many further ex-addicts to give such statements as this young rehabilitant:

“…now I work with cows, this work strengthens my nervous system, I’m calmer, more attentive and more integrated”

Contacts
Thomas Reber, Swiss College of Agriculture, University of Applied Sciences Berne,
Länggasse 85, CH-3250 Zollikofen, Switzerland
Tel: 031 / 914 12 77 - 031 / 910 21 58, E-mail: torech@gmx.ch

Maria Petrovna Lasowskaja, Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care of Kaluga County, Ul. Schachterov 5, 248 025 Kaluga, Russia
Tel: 007 0842 52 61 91

Alexander Schevjakov, Rehabilitation Centre “Wasraschdenje”, Humanitarian foundation for external help, Ul. Nikitina 82-11, 248 003 Kaluga, Russia
Tel: 007 0842 76 95 91


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		Home > Projects > Suas

		Presentation of Swiss Research Partnership Projects Swiss Universities for Applied Sciences and Swisscontact A development promotion program backed by SDC Agriculture as an instrument of social rehabilitation in Russia – Phase 2 Thomas Reber, Swiss College of Agriculture, University of Applied Sciences Berne The overall goal of this project was to show how agriculture can be used as an effective instrument for social rehabilitation in Russia, using the example of the rehabilitation centre “Wasraschdenje”. The Swiss College of Agriculture, together with its main project partner, “The Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care” of Kaluga County, designed models to develop appropriate agricultural methods in the context of social rehabilitation. The effect of these models and their influence on the success of rehabilitation has been analysed during this project. During the second phase of the project the main focus was on the following: The continuation of the conception, adaptation and further development of agricultural activities which facilitate the provision of the centre’s own food supply, increase financial independence and positively affect the therapeutic programmes of the centre. The editing and printing of a brochure, discussing the experiences gained. It is intended that this brochure will be distributed to interested individuals and institutions. The dissemination of the findings of the project with respect to the rehabilitation work of the centre “Wasraschdenje”. An audio-visual documentary with numerous interviews has been produced. It is targeted at other rehabilitation centre leaders, members of humanitarian foundations, church leaders, politicians, social workers, medics, teachers, farmers, drug and alcohol addicts, etc. The exposure of the centre to some practices, experience and knowledge gained outside Russia. To this end, a Swiss trainee moved to and lived in Russia for two years. He made his technical knowledge in agriculture and processing as well as his experience in social work available. It is planned to give Russian social workers the opportunity to do the same in Swiss rehabilitation centres. The deepening of existing contacts and the establishment of new and valuable relations and networks. This was achieved during the two working/study weeks in Switzerland and Russia. Very constructive and fruitful knowledge transfer took place with practical application in Kaluga and at different places in the Ural area. Due to the observations made during the study week in Switzerland, a pre-rehabilitation centre in the city of Kaluga was set up. This was an encouraging example of how knowledge transfer can bring concrete results. The wide scope and diversity of the interdisciplinary work undertaken, allowed for the development of interesting new approaches and techniques. Out of the experiences gained during the two phases and the evaluation of needs, the following steps should be undertaken: Further distribution of brochures and audio-visual documentaries Dissemination of experience and knowledge by consultancy and coaching Organisation of further conferences and seminaries More trainees sent on exchange programmes between the two countries The organisation of a study week in Switzerland with specialists and politicians. The issue of fundraising to support further innovative rehabilitation initiatives and to finance subsequent steps has not yet being resolved. Alcoholism and drug addiction are increasing all over the world and are becoming serious problems for society. During the field analysis before the start of the project, we realised that alcohol and drug dependency in Russia are true challenges for both the State and the population. In the regions of Central Russia effective treatment programmes for alcoholism and drug addiction exist, but there is little valuable experience in follow-up programmes regarding social reintegration and rehabilitation. On the whole, this four-year project can be regarded as having been a very successful venture in developing and promoting sustainable ways of rehabilitation and social reintegration using agriculture. All partners involved gained significantly valuable specialized knowledge and their horizons were considerably broadened. We are convinced that this venture is a valuable investment in the future of Russian rehabilitation work and offers a long-term contribution to the improvement of the social situation in that country. This success challenges us to go ahead on the good foundation laid during the four years of international collaboration and to allow even more drug and alcohol specialists to make statements similar to that of a project partner doctor: *“…at the beginning of the project my primary question was; what was to be done to make solutions to the problem of drug and alcohol addiction more effective and sustainable?* *Due to this project I now know what to do and the focus is now on the question of how we can put this new knowledge into practice in the Russian context!”* English summary of the final report Phase 1: Agriculture as an instrument of social rehabilitation in Russia English summary of the final report Alcoholism and drug addiction are increasing all over the world and are becoming serious problems for society. In Russia alcohol and drug dependency are true challenges for both the state and population. In the regions of Central Russia effective initial stages for curing alcoholism and drug addiction exist, but there is little valuable experience for social reintegration and rehabilitation. In the rehabilitation centre, “Wasraschdenje”, as the first and only centre combining rehabilitation and agriculture in central Russia and with our main project partner, “The Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care” of Kaluga County, we have developed appropriate ways to show how agriculture works as an instrument for social rehabilitation. We have also analysed its influence over the rehabilitation success. The main focus was on the conception of agricultural activities which facilitate their own food supply, increases the financial independence of the rehabilitation centre and has a positive effect on the therapy. 110 hectares of arable land could be recultivated for vegetables, potato, meadow and pasture. Small green houses were constructed by the rehabilitants to extend the vegetation period and to produce their own seedlings. We have increased animal production with mother cows for meat production to valorise the natural resources the best way according to the local food market demands. Food processing and conservation has been enlarged mainly for the auto consumption. An initial survey gave the necessary basic information to elaborate a sophisticated questionnaire paying attention to the local situation and the cultural context. 20 probates of “Wasraschdenje” were interviewed at the entrance of the therapy and again after practising a few months agricultural activities. Most of them were alcohol or drug addicts and suffered from numerous other obsessions such as tobacco, pornography, gambling, kleptomania, etc. Most of them entered “Wasraschdenje” on their own initiative or were admitted by friends, family, churches or social care institutions. Before entering the centre they had lived up to 60 months (in the average 22) without regular income. None of them still lived with their family. Staying with friends or even on the street they earned necessary money by daily work, dealing or other illegal incomes. More than half of them had been sent to prison up to 7 times. 85% of the questioned were in contact with agriculture in former time. 70% expect a positive or even very positive impact of agriculture for their personal rehabilitation progress at the beginning of the therapy. 13 state that they gather new agricultural know-how and experiences. 8 had experienced some special feeling of success. The main mentioned challenges for the rehabilitants are the lack of agricultural knowledge, shortage of means of production, pressure through weather, physical strain, lack of infrastructure, working with animals or working in a team. Many valuable suggestions to improve and extend the agricultural work, were given through the interviews. The existing contacts have been deepened and new precious connections have been set-up during the two working weeks in Switzerland and Russia. A very constructive and fruitful knowledge transfer took place with practical application in Kaluga. We are challenged to go ahead on the chosen path to allow many further ex-addicts to give such statements as this young rehabilitant: “…now I work with cows, this work strengthens my nervous system, I’m calmer, more attentive and more integrated” Contacts Thomas Reber, Swiss College of Agriculture, University of Applied Sciences Berne, Länggasse 85, CH-3250 Zollikofen, Switzerland Tel: 031 / 914 12 77 - 031 / 910 21 58, E-mail: torech@gmx.ch Maria Petrovna Lasowskaja, Federal Narcotics Institute of Preventative Medical Care of Kaluga County, Ul. Schachterov 5, 248 025 Kaluga, Russia Tel: 007 0842 52 61 91 Alexander Schevjakov, Rehabilitation Centre “Wasraschdenje”, Humanitarian foundation for external help, Ul. Nikitina 82-11, 248 003 Kaluga, Russia Tel: 007 0842 76 95 91