Kaluga, Russia—Russia’s myriad nationalities and relations among them were the focus of a conference organized by UPF-Russia.
The conference "Friendship of Peoples: Experience of Russia" was held at the ETNOMIR Cultural Center of India with support of the international charity foundation Dialogue of Cultures—United World and the Federal Agency for Nationalities.
The main goal of the October 28, 2016, event was to share positive experiences as well as to present and discuss reports on matters of international relations.
At the opening ceremony, Ruslan F. Bayramov, the president of Dialogue of Cultures—United World and founder of ETNOMIR, gave the welcoming speech and gave a presentation about ETNOMIR’s present activities and future plans.
Andrey V. Mezhenko, the deputy head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities, told the guests about the priorities of his agency: "The work we're doing aims to make our country strong and cohesive, as national diversity is our strength. We must not forget to work with youth. Character education of young people is very important, since they will stand at the head of the state and the non-governmental organizations."
Alexey V. Nikitenko, the deputy governor of the Kaluga Region, welcomed the participants. He spoke about the importance of this conference, which, he said, "will help to build interstate relations. This conference can be the beginning of the development of national policies, beginning with our state."
Hazrat Ali Hasanov of the Council of Muftis of Russia and Anastasia B. Zmetnaya of the Moscow House of Nationalities Directorate also gave welcoming remarks.
The first session was related to the subject of international relations, methods of interaction, and design ideas.
The session was opened by Irina Fedorova, the deputy minister, head of the Internal Department of Policy and Mass Communications of the Kaluga Region, with the report on "Implementation of the State Policy in the Kaluga Region."
"Now the Kaluga Region is home to over 100 ethnic groups: Russians, Ukrainians, Armenians, Tajiks, Belarusians and people of other nationalities,” she said. “Our main objective is interaction with national associations."
The speakers of the first session were:
- Vladimir S. Lesovoi, a poet, novelist and essayist of the association Ukrainians of Russia, who gave a report on "Friendship of Peoples: From the Great Conquest of the Soviet Union to the Disappointing Realities of Today's Russia"
- Yury V. Moscoski, director of projects at the "Neighborhood” foundation for development of international relations and chair of the Commission at the Council of Nationalities under the Government of Moscow, who gave a report on "Migration in Moscow and Russia and Possible Solutions to a Number of Related Issues"
- Moses Kim, advisor to the chair of the All-Russia Union of Koreans, who spoke on "The Value of Ethnic Media in the Harmonization of Interethnic Relations"
- Dmitry V. Samko, the secretary general of UPF-Moscow, who reported on "Project Approach in the Field of Peacemaking and International Dialogue: From Theory to Practice”
The second session covered completed projects in the sphere of international relations, their results and effects.
The speakers of the second session were:
- Anatoly A. Toporkov, deputy director of the Institute for Social and Ethno-Cultural Studies, who spoke about his institute
- Olga V. Rodionova, a candidate of cultural studies and an associate professor at Moscow State Linguistic University, Department of World Cultures, who gave a report on "Student Mobility Undergraduates MSLU as a Factor of Intercultural Dialogue"
- Valery V. Kubarev, the president of the "Knyazhesky" foundation for promoting national and religious harmony, who gave a presentation on his foundation’s international activities
- Vyacheslav A. Tikhonov, president of the "Bright City" cultural foundation, who gave a report on "All-Russia Action ‘Parade of Russian Peoples’ Friendship’"
- Olga Vakulinskaya, the president of the Women’s Federation for World Peace, an organization that is affiliated with UPF, who reported on "Interethnic Cooperation in the Promotion of Peace and Moral Values"
- Alice V. Shabaeva, chair of the board of the all-Russia public movement "Young Russia," who reported on her organization’s regional projects dealing with interethnic relations
- Nuraddin Ramil oglu Ismayilov, director of the Development Center of the Azerbaijani-Russian Culture and Solidarity, who reported on "The All-Russia Youth Contest ‘I Know Azerbaijan’ and ‘I Am Learning Russian’"
- Elena Knyazeva, the director of the autonomous nonprofit organization “Mr. and Miss University,” who spoke about that talent and beauty competition
- Maria G. Gordon, the deputy director for scientific and methodical work of Gymnasium No. 7, who reported on "The Experience of Including Children of Other Cultures in the Educational Organization"
- Xenia N. Fomina, a public relations professional at the non-profit organization Diaspora Center of Afghanistan, who reported on "Experience of Establishing Intercultural Dialogues"
- Marina A. Filimonova, head of the project "Youth Social Movement for Traditional Folk Culture," who spoke on "Traditional Culture among Young People as a Means of Creating a Cross-Cultural Dialogue at the Example of the Project ‘Folk Youth"
- Galib S. Agayev, the chair of the regional national-cultural autonomy of Azerbaijanis of the Moscow Region and a candidate of political sciences, who reported on "Friendship of Peoples as the Key to the Future of a Strong Russia"
Thereafter, all the speakers received diplomas testifying to their participation in the conference.
The event allowed representatives of government agencies, educational and research institutions as well as civil society institutions to discuss important issues and aspects of international relations and share professional experiences and best practices in this area.
Thus, the foundation "Dialogue of Cultures—United World" is developing a 10-year program titled "Development and Implementation of Measures Aimed at Strengthening Friendship between the Nations of the World in the Framework of the International Partnership.” The foundation is providing experts who are interested in dialogue among cultures with the opportunity to exchange views and experience. Having gained invaluable experience in international relations, many speakers exchanged contacts for further cooperation.