In June 22-23, 2001, the international scientific-practical conference Federalism: Russian and Swiss Perspectives took place in Kazan. The Conference was financially and organizationally supported by the State Council of the Republic Tatarstan, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, the Embassy of Switzerland in the Russian Federation, Institute of Federalism in Fribourg (Switzerland), the Institute of History of the TAS (Russia), International Public Foundation for Survival and Development of Humanity (Russia) and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.