Russia and China: A New Cooperation Trajectory Developed at HSE University

International Forum ‘SPROUTS: Russia and China–Mutually Beneficial Cooperation’

Photo courtesy of the forum

A unique approach to measuring human well-being has been developed at HSE University, opening up new opportunities for international collaboration. Russia and China, both of which have significantly reduced poverty in recent years, demonstrate a unique potential for joint efforts in this area. At an international forum in Kazan titled ‘SPROUTS: Russia and China–Mutually Beneficial Cooperation,’ HSE University representatives, including Vice Rector and initiator of the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Centre Lilia Ovcharova, and Deputy Vice Rector Maria Nagernyak, emphasised the importance of integrating the efforts of the two countries.

Speaking at the session ‘Best Practices in Poverty Reduction,’ organised as part of the forum by the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan, HSE University representatives noted changes in Russia’s official approach to poverty measurement in 2021. Russia introduced two poverty lines: one for monitoring and the other for determining eligibility for social benefits.

‘Russia and China are two countries that have significantly reduced poverty over the last decade. Poverty is a relative concept in time and space. Criteria used to define poverty 20 years ago may no longer be relevant today. Since 2021, Russia has applied two poverty lines: one for monitoring and another for social benefit payments. Researchers also assess subjective poverty and deprivation poverty, and the groups identified under these concepts often do not overlap,’ Lilia Ovcharova explained.

Currently, both science and policy are undergoing a conceptual shift from measuring and evaluating poverty to focusing on well-being. Russia and China are two countries that have substantially reduced poverty over the last ten years, which is why their bilateral cooperation in enhancing well-being is seen as particularly promising.

‘We are witnessing a change in how the quality and standard of living are studied, shifting from poverty assessment to well-being evaluation. Both we and our Chinese colleagues are moving in this direction, which offers great potential for cooperation and joint scientific research and events,’ Maria Nagernyak concluded.

HSE University has already achieved notable results in studying human well-being. This includes developing an expanded definition of well-being, identifying key policy priorities for improving well-being and reducing poverty by 2030, and establishing new material well-being standards for families with two and three children in Russia.

Additionally, representatives from the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Centre highlighted strategic measures Russia is implementing to improve population well-being, which could form the basis for bilateral cooperation:

• income: raising the minimum wage, accelerating median wage growth, and introducing targeted benefits for families with children
• housing and living conditions: implementing maternity capital and family mortgages
• support for birth rates: increasing minimum wages, accelerating median wage growth, and introducing targeted benefits for families with children
• active longevity: increasing life expectancy to 78 years by 2030 and to 81 years by 2036

At the session’s conclusion, Elmira Zaripova, Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan, thanked the forum participants and noted the evident prospects for cooperation between Russia and China, particularly between HSE University and Beijing Normal University.

‘Thanks to our esteemed colleagues, HSE University scholars Lilia Ovcharova and Maria Nagernyak, the session presented scientific findings on poverty analysis in Russia and the transition from the concept of poverty to well-being. A similar approach is supported by Zhang Qi, Director of the China Institute of Poverty Reduction at Beijing Normal University. Studying effective practices for raising incomes is a promising area of scientific and practical activity for both Russia and China, as well as for research institutions and practitioners working in the regions,’ Elmira Zaripova stated.