Studenthood is the time when young people leave their parents' home. Often they go to neighboring regions or even other countries to get an education. This is where interethnic relations arise. Students find themselves in a different environment that may or may not accept them. Mikhail Kuzmin, Vice-Rector for International Activities of Baikal State University, told us about the role of interethnic relations in the student environment.
1. Has the current political situation affected the development of interethnic relations in universities? What is the current situation in terms of interaction with other nations?
First of all, it is necessary to separate the concepts of interstate and interethnic relations. Undoubtedly, the current geopolitical situation has limited the range of countries for the development of interstate cooperation. However, the development of interethnic relations has never stopped and will not stop, it can only take a different form. Speaking of interstate cooperation, it is important to note that despite the policy of countries unfriendly to Russia, the development of international relations with friendly countries has increased manifold. Such countries include, first of all, China, countries of South-East and Central Asia, countries of Africa and countries of Latin America. All this applies to the university environment, where the number of students from these countries is increasing every year.
2. What opportunities does our university present for the development of interethnic relations?
Baikal State University has a clear understanding of what constitutes a multicultural educational space. It is connected both with the great experience of international activities in our university and with the peculiarities of our region, where representatives of more than 150 nationalities live.
Our students are actively involved in cultural events and educational processes, during which they represent their country, demonstrate its culture, life and traditions. In the course of education and adaptation of foreigners the national peculiarities of each student are taken into account.
University events of interethnic character include such events as Russian Tea; Festival of Songs in a Foreign Language; Festive Concert dedicated to the Eastern New Year; conferences devoted to intercultural dialog, as well as regular trips to nature and visits to historical sights.
3. What contribution do higher education institutions make to strengthening interethnic relations?
Socialization is one of the most important goals of any educational organization. Along with the provision of knowledge, the university develops in students’ intelligence, mutual respect, purposefulness, communication skills, social activity and orientation towards professional success. This is the basis for strengthening friendly interethnic relations both at the university level and in subsequent professional activities.
4. What work does the HEI staff do to strengthen relations with other countries and nations?
The primary task of the university is to form a culture of perception of differences in mentalities among students.
For this purpose, a number of activities aimed at strengthening relations with other countries and nations are implemented: meetings / round tables / forums with the participation of representatives of consular organizations, national diasporas, representatives of different confessional groups and carriers of other cultures.
5. What prospects for the development of interethnic relations do you see nowadays?
The multinational composition of Russia's population dictates the need for a well-considered national policy aimed at settling interethnic relations: nation-building, combating manifestations of nationalism, resolving interethnic conflicts peacefully, developing the cultural identity of peoples while preserving the integrity of the state. It is necessary to further develop multicultural educational space at the university level.
6. Is it possible to unite many ethnic communities while preserving the authenticity of each of them?
Of course, it is possible. At the organizational level, the modern university is an excellent example of such unification. This is because the unification of nations and cultures is based on common interests, aspirations and goals. At the state level, the creation of a unified multinational space requires the formation of common values, ideals and worldview, i.e. ideology. The best example of this is the Soviet Union and modern Russia.