Yeltsin and Other Dignitaries Celebrate Moscow Children’s Computer Club Ten-Year Anniversary; Children’s Club Nurtured Computing At Dawn Of Glasnost
MOSCOW — June 6, 1996 — The Moscow Children's Computer Club (MCCC), formed during the first days of Glasnost to educate Russia's children in computing, celebrated its tenth anniversary today. The club, founded by Stepan Pachikov, CEO of ParaGraph International, Gary Kasparov, World Chess Champion, academician Abel Aganbegyan, advisor to Michael Gorbachev and academician Evgeniy Velihov, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has introduced over 2000 children to modern computing and served as a meeting place for Western computing pioneers exploring the Eastern market. As Soviet society proceeded through its wrenching transition from informational totalitarianism to informational freedom, MCCC provided a haven for an emerging group of computing professionals who became a core around which Russia's burgeoning software industry developed.
A gift by Kasparov of more than 50 modern computers started the Club. Kasparov, whose international chess winnings were regularly appropriated by the government, successfully petitioned the state to return a portion in the form of computers "for the children." MCCC then opened its doors to children interested in computing and to adults willing to act as mentors. In the first year, the Club attracted 300 children and 25 mentors from all levels of Russian computing. Many Western and Russian companies, including Apple Computer, Acer, Demos, IBM, IBS, Intel, ISF, El Camino Resources, Ltd., Lamport, Microsoft, Association Relarn, Wacom, Wang and others, supported the club with computers and equipment.
As Glasnost advanced, MCCC became a common meeting place for Western computer industry leaders exploring the Soviet Union. Early visitors included Esther Dyson of EDventure Holdings, described by the Washington Post as "an impresario of the high-tech world salon," Jerry Pournelle of BYTE, John Scully former CEO of Apple, Philippe Kahn, founder of Borland, Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, Fred Langa, Editor in Chief of Windows Magazine, Seymour Papert, MIT Professor and Chairman of Logo Computer Systems, among many others. These contacts took on a new importance during the Soviet Coup in 1991, when the Club utilized its advanced communications, which were Internet based and bypassed the State's telecommunications disruption, to keep these and other Western dignitaries informed of unfolding events.
During the 10th anniversary celebrations held in Moscow, many of MCCC's longtime supporters and friends sent in their greetings and reflected on the Club's impact throughout the years.
"Your wonderful club has reached ten years," said Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation in his greeting to the Club. "During this time, it opened a path into the world of computing to over 2000 of the third millennium's specialists and engineers. They will contribute innovations in a multitude of technologies, and will be worthy to represent Russia in the world's information community."
The Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, added, "The Club brought together people that care about their future. You nurtured and educated Muscovites of the 21st century. And the manner in which you accomplished this substantiates our mutual conviction that Moscow will remain one of the world's leading capital cities into the 21st century."
"The ten years of the Club's existence corresponded with an unbelievable period in Russia's history," said Gary Kasparov, world chess champion. "It's difficult to imagine that any of the Club's founders could have envisioned the impact that the creation of the small community, ten years ago, would ultimately have. The incredible fact is that during all its years, the velocity of the Club's evolution and the growth of its associated circle always outpaced the onrushing events surrounding it."
Esther Dyson, a regular visitor to MCCC, reflected on her experiences saying, "Over the years, the Club has grown and prospered. So have its members; both kids growing up and business people building business. I am thrilled to celebrate the Club's 10th anniversary."
Fred Langa, Chief Editor of Windows Magazine, said, "The Children's Club is an amazing project — especially when you recall what the Soviet Union was like 10 years ago. Stepan and his co-workers have labored against tremendous odds to create something really good; something that has benefited children for years. And whatever benefits children benefits us all."
Patrick McGovern, Chairman of International Data Group, the world's leading computer publisher added, "I have visited 80 countries so far to observe how young people are being introduced to the use of computers. The Moscow Children's Computer Club (MCCC) is an outstanding example of giving children a stimulating computer learning experience and thereby liberating their creativity. The MCCC shows what can be achieved when such initiatives are undertaken by dedicated individuals unfettered by bureaucracy."
Jerry Pournelle, senior contributing Editor for BYTE magazine, in a message to club members and celebration participants, wrote, "I wish I could join you in celebrating this important event. I remember when the Club was formed, and you have my best wishes!"
Stepan Pachikov, CEO/Chairman of ParaGraph International Inc. and MCCC President during its first five years, said, "For all of us in ParaGraph, the MCCC is our Alma Mater. I seriously doubt that ParaGraph would exist if the Club had not been started in 1986. I always believed that Perestroyka started in Silicon Valley in 1971, when the first microprocessor was invented. MCCC is the Silicon Valley's Moscow branch."
Presently, MCCC has several hundred members and actively continues to pursue its mission to educate children in modern computing. Ongoing MCCC projects include maintenance of an Internet Web site which includes cutting edge 3D VR components, and the publication of a historical CD ROM, "Troya," which was selected as "Russia's Best Macintosh CD ROM" in 1996. The president of MCCC is George Pachikov, a co-founder of ParaGraph International and the project leader of AlterEgo, ParaGraph's ambitious project with the objective to let people travel and live in history. MCCC's director for education is Vladimir Chernyak, Ph.D., a widely renowned evangelist for educating children in science and mathematics. A recent extension to MCCC is an affiliated Programmers Club, which comprises Russian computing industry leaders, press, and other dignitaries. MCCC's Web site can be viewed at the URL, http://www.child.org.
ParaGraph International Inc.
ParaGraph, started in 1989 by the founders of MCCC, has been a major Club sponsor from the company's first days. ParaGraph contributes mentors, equipment and time to the Club, and gives Club members the opportunity to experience high technology's cutting edge firsthand through internships. ParaGraph's corporate mission is to be the leading provider of Internet VRML tools, combining leading-edge technologies in 3D rendering, behavior languages, compression and recognition to enable users to build exciting Internet spaces and visit and communicate with each other. ParaGraph's Virtual Home Space Builder is the simplest VRML authoring software available. ParaGraph is working together with MCCC on a project, Virtual Children's Club, which will use ParaGraph's 3D VR and Pen technologies to extend of MCCC into immersive Cyberspace.
For more information on ParaGraph International and its products,
NOTE: All products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. ParaGraph is the registered trademark of ParaGraph International, Inc.
CONTACT:
John Poluektov of ParaGraph International, 408-364-7740, or e-mail, [email protected];
or
Jonathan Hirshon of Horizon PR, 408-982-2555, or e-mail, [email protected]