Millions of the Soviet Union citizens had membership cards of the All-Union Society “Znanie”, and they were proud of it.
200 million of residents of the entire country in cities and villages, in workshops and at construction sites had an opportunity to
join to Knowledge. The mystery of universe, religion, politics, health – these are only some of topics from a wide range of them.
“Knowledge to the masses!” was not a motto, but real practice. One should treat this with respect, as his/her own history.
Nowadays, “Znanie” is a special brand. International association “Znanie” has General Consultative status with the UN Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Department of Public Information (DPI).
After the collapse of the Soviet Union this brand as well as philosophy of adult education could depart this life. Buildings,
publishing houses, printing offices, health centers, boarding houses and holiday centers in Russia and abroad, ice-breaker
“Krasin” – all the property of the society, gained over decades, has been taken away.
Fortunately, brand “Znanie” was not only kept, but made popular and recognizable worldwide.
The most important is to breathe new life into process of adult education, to create new modern mechanisms of dissemination
and renewal of knowledge, to add the UN authority, to enter into the programs and the UN Agenda for the XXI Century.
|
