Eleanor Mitrofanova: “The Dialogue on the Volga Forum is becoming a landmark international platform for public diplomacy”
The 6th International Forum of Public Diplomacy “Dialogue on the Volga: Peace and Mutual Understanding in the 21st Century” was inaugurated in Volgograd.
The forum brought together representatives of almost 40 countries, including politicians, businessmen, public figures. Representatives of the Council of the Federation of the Russian Federation, the State Duma, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and the diplomatic buildings of various countries speak at the forum. Foreign delegations arrived in Volgograd to discuss the most relevant topics for the modern world.
This year, the Dialogue on the Volga is supported by Rossotrudnichestvo. In a welcoming speech, the head of the Agency, Eleanor Mitrofanova, noted: “The Forum is a landmark international platform for public diplomacy, with which you can achieve a lot. In the Volgograd region, much attention is paid to the movement of twin cities. For this I am grateful to the leadership of the region. "
In turn, the vice-governor of the Volgograd region Yevgeny Harichkin noted: “Volgograd is hosting the representatives of business circles, the international community, diplomats, politicians, entrepreneurs, and experts on our heroic land for the sixth time. The region continues to reaffirm the status of the center of public diplomacy, which we have been proudly holding for 75 years - since when, together with the English city of Coventry, they launched the movement of twin cities. We hope that within the framework of the forum events we will continue cooperation in the field of public diplomacy, humanitarian, cultural and tourist interaction, development of entrepreneurship and mutually beneficial partnership. ”
“This is an absolutely remarkable event, the significance of which goes beyond the boundaries of the region and, I am sure, will eventually become a global phenomenon,” said Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Federation Council. - Here, on this earth, after the terrible war, people again extended a helping hand to each other, support, solidarity, interaction and cooperation. The twinning that arose here continues to live, gaining momentum, turning Volgograd into a center of public diplomacy. I sincerely support your undertaking, to be the center of public diplomacy in Volgograd. ”
A round table held by Rossotrudnichestvo “The role of twin cities in the development of international humanitarian cooperation” is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the signing of an agreement between Stalingrad and Coventry. Among the participants were Lord Mayor Coventry Linda Bigham, Belgian Ambassador to Russia Jean-Arthur Rezhibo, Nigerian Ambassador to Russia Steve Davis Ugba, Argentinean Ambassador to Russia Ricardo Ernesto Lagorio, Consul of Turkmenistan Atadurdy Bayramov, Secretary General of the China International Friendship Association of cities Ching Bomin, Deputy Mayor of Izmir Mustafa Yozuslu and others.
This year, for the first time, young people from around the world, the delegates of the New Generation program, whose implementation is coordinated by Rossotrudnichestvo, became participants in the Dialogue on the Volga forum. “This is a unique tool for promoting our country abroad. Today we brought 50 young people from different countries to Volgograd. In the days of the forum, foreign youth have to get to know Russia, establish useful contacts, form their unbiased point of view about our country, ”said Eleanor Mitrofanova.
The Dialogue on the Volga Forum has been held in Volgograd since 2014 with the goal of strengthening international cooperation and finding effective solutions to contemporary problems of world politics. The event includes discussions and round tables on international partnerships, the role of twin cities, and the search for diplomatic answers to incoming challenges.