The international scientific-practical conference "RUSSIA AND APRICAN
COUNTRIES: DIALOGUE OF CULTURES (TRADITIONS AND MODERNITY)" dedicated to the
relationship between Russia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region was
held at Baikal State University.
For eleven years, the International Department of BSU has organized the
conference. In 2024 students attended the conference from Irkutsk universities
such as: BSU, International Institute of Economics and Linguistics, many regions
of Russia and four foreign countries - China, Mongolia, Togo and Chile. The
participants were divided into five sections. The reports of the participants
reflected the topics of media communications, problems and prospects of
international education, intercultural relations between Russia and China.
Oleg Gribunov, first vice-rector - vice-rector for scientific work of BSU,
Mikhail Kuz’min, vice-rector for international relations, and Anna Litovkina,
dean of the international faculty opened the conference.
"Our conference is a platform where students discuss strategic important
issues. We are very pleased that the student scientific society - young
scientists pay attention to such topical issues of international relations,"
said Oleg Gribunov, the first vice-rector - vice-rector for scientific work of
BSU.
Mikhail Kuz’min, Vice-Rector for International Relations of BSU, noted during
his speech that intercultural communication in the current rapidly changing
world environment is of particular importance, as understanding the
peculiarities of another country's culture is the basis for successful
diplomatic interaction. It is even more important that knowledge of the
language, culture and philosophy of other nations allows building mutually
beneficial friendly relations at the interpersonal, interregional and interstate
levels.
The plenary session included a series of reports on topical topics concerning
educational contacts between Russia and China after the pandemic, the
international image of the two countries, and the educational discourse of
domestic and foreign bloggers.