Federation. In 2016, Community forums were expected to be held in all federal districts. During the year, 3492 people took part in regional Community forums and 3500 people in the final Community forum held in Moscow on November 4 (National Unity Day). Forums are open for participation. There are no official invitations either for authorities or for members of Russian Civic Chamber and regional civic chambers, NGOs, society leaders and activists. All those willing to take part in the Forum are invited to apply online. In most regions local authorities demonstrated their willingness to hold a dialogue with civic activists. Forums were also attended by federal and regional experts and practitioners in a variety of fields: public oversight, society-business-government interaction, fundraising, volunteerism and charity, informal communities, citizens' engagement, etc. Involvement of experts and society leaders enabled to provoke serious, at times heated discussions. Community forums are both search for opinion leaders and access to social mobility for civic activists and representatives of NGOs. International activities The Civic Chamber promotes active cooperation with international community. Since 2005, over 25 memorandums and agreements on cooperation with civil society institutions of different countries have been signed. Besides, in 2006 the Civic Chamber of Russia became member of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS). AICESIS was established in 1999. It is a unique organisation incorporating civil society institutions of 74 countries spanning four continents – Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Members of the Association are tripartite economic and social councils (government officials, employers and organised labor), civic chambers/councils and similar institutions operating at national level and empowered by a national constitutions, law or any other official act confirming their right to represent civil society and protect national economic and social security. In 2013 the Civic Chamber was elected President of the Association for a two-year term, which was recognition of maturity of Russian civil society. The main topic of Russian Chamber’s presidency was ‘National human capital and new sources of national competitiveness’. Interaction of the Civic Chamber with civil society institutions of different countries is based on the following principles: joint efforts to promote relations and mutual understanding between peoples; support of generally accepted principles and norms of international law to maintain international peace and security; promotion of economic relations; promotion of cultural and educational exchanges. In 2012 within the Civic Chamber there was established Russian Public Council