VI All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference "International Humanitarian Cooperation: New Challenges and Opportunities

The theme of international humanitarian relations brings together the staff of diplomats and researchers of international relations, figures of science, culture and education, representatives of artistic milieu and public organizations. For the Institute of National Culture and Intercultural Communication at Mari State University, which trains international relations experts, cultural workers and specialists in the field of Mari language and Finno-Ugric philology, this theme is truly uniting. That is why each conference is a new, unique scientific dialogue.

In his greeting Rector of Mari State University Mikhail Shvetsov pointed out the extreme importance of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation in the conditions of severe external sanctions our country is facing. It is extremely important for Russia today to build on the experience of past generations and the landmark events in the world history of the twentieth century - including the revolution of 1917 and the victory over Nazism in 1945. It was these events that to a large extent shaped the image of the Soviet Union, and subsequently the modern Russian Federation as the successor state to the USSR, that appealed to millions of people around the world. Relying on just principles of the world order must become the core of Russia's foreign policy, including cultural and humanitarian cooperation, in today's renewed world order.

Tatiana Shlychkova, Deputy Director of the Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed to the futility of efforts by the West to "abolish" Russia, everything Russian and Russian because of its rejection of Russian policy. It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our country to the treasury of world culture, but the task of the Russian Foreign Ministry at the new stage is to rethink the priorities, content and tools of Russian "soft power", which should soon be reflected in the new doctrinal documents of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The conference was addressed by Igor Khalevinsky, Chairman of the Association of Russian Diplomats. His public lecture for Mari State University students on April 21 was devoted to support to public diplomacy initiatives as well as to the difficult work of diplomatic representatives abroad.

First Secretary of the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Kazan Azizbek Razzakov was the guest of honour at the conference. He welcomed the successful development of cooperation in education, science and culture between Uzbekistan and Russia, which includes ties at the regional level. In confirmation of these words, books were exchanged: publications on the Republic of Mari El and Mari culture were donated to the Silk Road International Tourism University in Samarkand. (Samarkand), and the Mari State University received as a souvenir the album "New Uzbekistan".

The plenary speech of the Russian Foreign Ministry representative in Yoshkar-Ola Larisa Polushina highlighted topical issues of international humanitarian cooperation of the Russian Federation. The theme was continued by a presentation by Anna Velikaya, lecturer of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, which analysed international and Russian experience of humanitarian diplomacy, from humanitarian aid and development assistance programmes to cultural and public diplomacy initiatives. Albert Beloglazov, Associate Professor of International Relations, World Politics and Diplomacy Department at the Institute of International Relations of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, in his presentation analysed Russia's efforts to develop educational ties and support branches of Russian universities in Central Asian states.

Two thematic sections were organised during the first day of the conference.

The section 'Current Problems of International Law and International Security. Political Conflicts of the Modern Times" spoke scholars A.G. Bolshakov (Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University), E.A. Arutyunov (Council on Regional Development of the Russian Association of Political Science, Solnechnogorsk), E.V. Karpova, E.V. Suslov (Mari State University). The best student reports were presented by Anna Taratkina (4th year, Journalism) and Timofey Dinin (4th year, International Relations).

The section "Non-Political Aspects of Contemporary International Relations. "Soft power", public and cultural diplomacy of Russia and foreign countries" also united scientists from Yoshkar-Ola and other university centres of Russia. Presentations were made by R.R. Khussamov (Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow), A.R. Garaeva (Higher School of Economics, Moscow), A.V. Lyamzin, K.M. Tabarintseva-Romanova (Ural Federal University), U.O. Abyzova (Irkutsk State University), A.E. Fominykh (Mari State University). Elena Ishalina and Elena Bakhtina (INKiMK, 4th year, International Relations) were recognised as best student speakers.

The tradition of holding the conference "International Humanitarian Cooperation: New Challenges and Opportunities" continues and covers more cities and universities!