The Rise of Pro-family Policy in Russia and the World Congress of Families

The Paper investigates the international activities of the Orthodox inspired Russian pro-family movement, its origins, self-perceptions, perceptions of foreign vis-à-vis this movement, motives and developments from the beginning till the current situation. It focuses on a complex case study of the Russian participation in the US- based, Christian international organisation, World Congress of Families (WCF): why and how did Russian participation start, how has it been evolving; what are the self-understanding and motives of the Russian participants; as well as what are the impacts on the pro-life movement in Russia. The Paper is based on official WCF documents, participant observation, and qualitative interviews with actors.