Institute of Humanities of AltSU became an international platform for discussing integration processes in the Eurasian space for several days
On the eve of the celebration of Russia Day, the Institute of Humanities of Altai State University, sociologists from the Department of Social and Youth Policy under the leadership of Head of the Department, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor Svetlana Maksimova held the IV International Scientific Forum “Integration Processes in the Ethnocultural Sphere” on the platform of the university, which brought together two scientific events: the XI International Scientific Conference “Social Integration and Development of Ethnic Cultures in the Eurasian Space” and the I International Scientific and Practical Conference “The Siberian Frontier as a Space of Integration: Ethnocultural Codes and Practices.”
The forum held at the Institute of Social Sciences of Altai State University brought together scientists, government and municipal officials, leaders of public associations from regions of Russia, near and far abroad in order to discuss issues related to the social integration of citizens, the development of value and sociocultural foundations of civil unity, the preservation of linguistic and ethnocultural heritage, interethnic cooperation on issues of ethnocultural development of countries and regions of the Eurasian continent.
“The topic of integration processes in the ethnocultural sphere is today one of the most relevant in society. Today, certain forces are trying to drive a wedge between our peoples, who have lived for centuries in peace and harmony, and the fact that today’s forum has gathered a significant number of participants speaks of a healthy force in our society that understands that it is necessary to maintain cooperation and unity in order to form a joint creative future,” noted Sergei Bocharov, Rector of AltSU, in his welcoming speech. “Altai State University annually organizes all kinds of international forums, conferences and meetings, which become platforms for discussing important processes of interaction in various spheres of life. And the interest of foreign colleagues in the topics we propose suggests that we have common issues, which by solving them together, we can get an effective result for each of us.”
According to Chairman of the Altai Regional Legislative Assembly Alexander Romanenko, it is no coincidence that Altai Krai has again become a platform for scientific discussion of the development of ethnic cultures and cross-border cooperation in the Eurasian space. It has a unique geographical and even geopolitical location, where all directions of the world, Slavic and Turkic peoples converge.
“Time has proven that the Eurasian direction of cooperation for our country is the most promising and reliable. And our region, which is located at the intersection of transport corridors from Russia to many Asian countries, should become one of the engines for the development of Eurasian integration. The regional authorities have always developed cooperation with neighboring territories both with the CIS countries and foreign countries. We encourage not only economic partnership, but also humanitarian communication, including support to our compatriots in neighboring countries, help to develop Russian-language education,” emphasized the Chairman of the Altai Regional Legislative Assembly.
“Currently, over 132 large and small nations and nationalities live in Altai Krai, which develop their traditions, maintain their culture, invite relatives and friends not only from other regions of the country and neighboring states, but literally from all corners of the world. And literally each of them finds application in our region. I would like to note that Altai State University is doing a lot of serious work in this direction, organizing regular events similar to today’s, which bring together representatives from many countries. Within their framework, scientists from AltSU organize completely understandable scientific discussions with a practical focus, constantly updating the agenda of the topics discussed, making a lot of coordination efforts to work together with leading universities in Asia, within the framework of which many promising innovative projects are being implemented. All this suggests that today Altai State University is one of the flagships of international scientific work in the entire Asian part of our country,” Vitaly Snesar, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Altai Krai, Head of the Administration of the Governor and Government of Altai Krai, especially noted in his welcoming speech.
On behalf of the 4,000 audience of students and the multinational team of teachers and staff of the Institute of Humanities of Altai State University, the forum participants were greeted by its Director Larisa Nekhvyadovich, who noted that the opening of the forum is the beginning of a new stage in its history, which defines new goals and objectives for the near future. However, in this endeavor we should not forget about traditions, which are the foundation of everything new.
“In recent years, we have been constantly called upon to innovate. This is one of the main trends of modern society. But current events in the world remind us that there should be a balance between innovation and tradition. Speaking about innovation, scientists argue that “a model of civil society based only on individual identity is unacceptable,” where the uniqueness of each person comes to the fore, which, unfortunately, does not bring people closer to each other, but rather sets them apart. And here it is precisely for balance that the traditions that unite us are needed. And this is one of the problems that our multinational team will discuss, among others, within the framework of two conferences,” summed up Larisa Nekhvyadovich.
The participants in the opening ceremony of the forum were also greeted by the Metropolitan of Barnaul and Altai, Head of the Altai Metropolis, His Eminence Sergius, Chairman of the Barnaul City Duma Galina Buevich, Chairman of the Altai regional public organization “Union of Armenians of Altai Krai”, a member of the Commission on Education, Science and Culture of the Public Chamber of Altai Krai Garik Gevorgyan.
Forum moderator Svetlana Maksimova, Head of the Department of Social and Youth Policy at AltSU, Chairman of the board of the Altai Regional Public Organization "Positive Development", clarified that the conference program also included: a strategic session "Ethno-confessional and cultural dialogue as a resource for social integration and the development of ethnic cultures in Altai Krai"; research session “Ethnosocial processes and the formation of civic identity in multicultural societies: challenges, trajectories, and opportunities”; research session “The Siberian frontier in the focus of ethnographic, pedagogical, linguistic and social research.”
Forum events are planned for several days; they will be held both at the sites of the Institute of Humanities of AltSU and as part of the visiting session on Russia Day at the Turquoise Katun.
The forum was organized by the Government of Altai Krai, the Council for the Implementation of State National Policy of Altai Krai, Altai State University, Institute of Humanities, Asian Expert and Analytical Center for Ethnology and International Educational Cooperation of AltSU, Regional Autonomous Institution “House of Peoples of Altai Krai”, Resource Center for Development of civil initiatives and promotion of integration of peoples and cultures in Altai Krai, Altai regional public organization of psychological and social support and health care “Positive Development”.