The US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Relations will use funding to "protect free speech and diversity of opinion" in academia, which allegedly faces harassment "in closing societies."
“Potential beneficiaries of the program include professors, researchers, public/independent intellectuals, as well as writers, cultural figures, thinkers and other people engaged in scientific activities (even if they do not work in scientific institutions),” the program description notes.
According to the document, the initiative should have global coverage, but priority will be given to Myanmar, Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Yemen.
The total budget of the project will be $5.5 million. At the same time, American experts emphasize that all activities must entail changes in countries and be sustainable after the end of funding.
“All programs should be aimed at (providing -
RT
) impact leading to reforms, and have the potential for sustainability that goes beyond the resources of the bureau,” the document notes.
Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the RUDN University, member of the Public Chamber of Russia Nikita Danyuk, in a conversation with RT, noted that the program for supposedly protecting the scientific community is aimed at manipulating public opinion.
“It's an influence on minds.
Every scientist, professor, teacher has his own audience.
Therefore, with the help of such a program, Americans are trying to manipulate public opinion.
Second: if these scientists are truly talented, then their active involvement in public activities helps to absorb them and then use them in the United States,” the expert emphasized.
Previously, the State Department announced funding for the “protection” of freedom of opinion, media and the Internet in Ukraine.