UNESCO – Кафедра юнеско по компаративным исследованиям духовных традицый, специфики их культур и межрелигиозного диалога

UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme in 1991 as an international action plan for academic solidarity to strengthen inter-university co-operation with particular emphasis on support to higher education in the developing countries.
The programme works towards establishing and reinforcing strong and durable linkages amongst higher education and scientific institutions worldwide and at facilitating the transfer of knowledge while combating the brain drain. Special attention is paid to providing assistance through inter-regional and (sub)regional linkages.
The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme encompasses a broad spectrum of activities requiring very flexible modes of action. It is based on genuine, equal partnership among the higher education institutions which initiate various projects within its framework.
Two types of closely interrelated and interdependent activities have emerged as the base for the major strategies for implementing the Programme: inter-university networks and international UNESCO Chairs. While individual chairs responding to specific needs are possible, the programme endeavours to create the proper conditions to allow each chair to be a focal point of a network or to be a part of a network.

The UNITWIN network on Interreligious studies

News

9 February 2026

International Conference ‘Anthropological Turn in Policultural Education: Values, Identities, Educational Strategies’

On February 6, 2026, International Conference ‘Anthropological Turn in Policultural Education: Values, Identities, Educational Strategies’ was conducted at A.I. Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University in St.Petersburg, Russia. It was an extremely frosty and sunny day. About a hundred researchers and educationers gathered at the majestic Coat of Arms Hall of the University. Our Chair took part in the preparatory work, a representative of ours served as a member of the Program Committee of the Conference. Dimitri Spivak gave an invited plenary talk, entitled ‘Intercultural Dialogue in UNESCO Educational Strategy’. The talk was focused upon contents and implications of such strategic documents as UNESCO Constitution (1945) and its Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2029), as well as Vision Statement of the UNO Secretary-General A. Guterrez on Transforming Education (2022), Fortaleza Declaration of the Global Education Meeting organized by UNESCO (2024), and Santiago Consensus adopted at World Summit of Teachers, sponsored by UNESCO. (2025). Alina Venkova gave an invited talk dedicated to ‘Anthropological Challenges of Digital Space: Mechanisms of Inheritance and Outlooks of Creativity’.

Attachment: Program (in Russian)

Photo by A.I. Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University
1 December 2025

Round Table on Present-day Approaches to Preservation of Urban Historical Environment

On November 25, 2025, a Round Table dedicated to 35th anniversary of inclusion of the city of St. Petersburg into World Heritage List of UNESCO was conducted in St. Petersburg, basing at the premises of the local State University of Aerocosmic Equipment.
The Round Table was organized jointly by all UNESCO Chairs actively functioning in this city, i.e. Chairs basing at: State University of Aerocosmic Equipment, A.I. Herzen National State Pedagogical University, Peter the Great Polytechnic University, and, the last but not the least, our Chair. The Round Table took place under the auspices of Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, and of Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs of this country.
Present-day approaches to preservation and promotion of urban historical environment served as the focal topic, regarded from various angles by a number of speakers who represented both state authorities, and the academic world, as well a number of prominent educationers, especially those actively working in the framework of UNESCO Associated Schools. Our Chair, Mr. D. Spivak, and Academic Secretary, Mr. M. Stepanov took part in the meeting, acting as representatives of our Chair. M. Stepanov also gave an invited talk dedicated to basic approaches to Urban Environment: from Intercultural Dialogue to Dialogue of Heritages.

Attachment: Program (in Russian).
9 October 2025

UNESCO Chairs Seminar “Education in Multicultural Society at Current Stage”

On October 7, 2025, a seminar with the participation of representatives of UNESCO Chairs was held at the A.I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia in St. Petersburg. Development of education in the face of new cultural and civilizational challenges was discussed at the seminar. Deputy Head of our UNESCO gave a plenary talk on ’Educational Practices as Object of Intangible Cultural Heritage”. As a result of the seminar, a decision was made to integrate UNESCO chairs of St. Petersburg more closely, in order to implement interdisciplinary projects, hold joint events, and share best practices that reflect UNESCO’s current strategies.

Program (in Russian)

Photos: Russian State Pedagogical University
6 October 2025

Inter-religious Conference in Bolgar

On September 22. 2025, Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Input of Inter-religious Dialogue into Patriotic Education of Young People’ took place in the holy town of Bolgar, Republic of Tararstan, Russian Federation. The conference was organized and conducted under the auspices of Bolgar Islamic Academy, which is the leading university providing Islamic education in Russia and neighboring countries. Participants represented both Islamic leaders and scholars from different places in Russia, as well as societal activists and academics belonging to other religions,all of them being dedicated to interfaith dialogue. Our professor, G. Seidova, took active part in the rally, serving as co-moderator of three of its Sections, and giving an invited talk, dedicated to ‘Universalization of Traditional Values as Means of Conflict Moderation by Young People’.

Attachment: Program (in Russian)
6 October 2025

3rd international Buddhist Forum

The 3rd international Buddhist Forum ‘Buddhist World in the New Millennium’ recently took place in the city of Elista, capital of the Kalmyk Republic, Russian Federation. Mr. A. Alekseiev-Apraksin, who is a professor of our Chair, served as the moderator of a special Section, dedicated to ‘Buddhist Culture: Literature, Art, Architecture’, which took place on September 26, 2025. The section was co-organized by Kalmyk State University, Foundation for Buddhist Educvation and Studies, Government of Republic of Kalmykia, and other organizations. The Section comprised reports of prominent researchers of Buddhist culture from Russia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, presentation of cultural projects, and initiation of systematic collaboration between Russian universities and University of Granada (Spain), Confucius Institute (China), University of Delhi (India), to name but a few.Program of the Forum: https://buddha.forum/programs (in Russian)
10 June 2025

General Meeting of our International Network

General Meeting of UNESCO / UNITWIN Chair Network for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Intercultural Understanding took place on June 10, 2025. The Network comprises at present 31 Chair from 27 countries and forms an important institution elaborating and coordinating UNESCO activities focused upon educational, scientific and cultural aspects of intercultural and interfaith communication and rapprochement. The Meeting was presided by Mr. F. Mansouri, who serves as the Convenor of our Network, and as professor at Deakin University, Australia. Our Chair was represented by D.Spivak. The meeting which took place online, was dedicated to both current problems and prospects of our Network, and to strategic issues in UNESCO policies, such as digitization, migration, intercultural dialogue, and social cohesion.

Photo by D.Spivak
5 June 2025

International Symposium ‘W(est)-E(ast) Identity in Space of Metaculture’

8th International Symposium ‘W(est)-E(ast) Identity in Space of Metaculture’ took place in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 24, 2025, basing at the facilities of Sociological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. The Symposium was co-organized be Sociological Institute; Chair of Russian Philosophy and Culture, State University of St. Petersburg; Kyongbuk National University, Republic of Korea; Institute of Philosophy, Mongolia, and, the last but not the least, our UNESCO Chair. Program of the Synposium consisted of 20 reports, dedicated to various aspects of Eastern cultures and spiritualities, mostly Chinese. Japanese, and Mongolian. Mr. A. Alekseev-Apraksin, who is a professor of our Chair, served as Chairman of the Organisation Committee, and gave the initial talk, entitled ‘Metaculture: New Outlooks on Identification Practices’.

Appendix: Program (in Russian)

Photo by A. Alekseev-Apraksin
21 May 2025

5th Congress of Russian UNESCO Chairs

5th Congress of UNESCO Chairs in the Russian Federation was conducted on May 20, 2025, in Moscow, basing at the facilities of G.V. Plekhanov National Economic University. Representatives of about 60 Chairs took part in the meeting, which takes place every four years. The Сongress was chaired by Mr. V. Egorov, Head of Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs in Russia, and by Ms. K. Gaverdovskaia, who represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. UNESCO HQ was represented by a bright talk given by Mr. Sobhi Tawil, who spoke online. Representatives of about 20 UNESCO Chairs gave brief talks dedicated to problems and prospects in their manifold activities. Elections of members of the Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs in Russia for the next 4-year term took place. A new version of the Charter of the Committee was discussed and approved. Mr. D. Spivak, who represented our Chair, gave a talk dedicated to focal points in our works. He was elected to serve as a permanent member of the Coordination Committee for the next term.

Attachment: Program of the Congress (in Russian)

Photo by D.Spivak
28 April 2025

12th Toksovo Readings

12th Toksovo Readings took place in the town of Toksovo, nr. St.Petersburg, on April 25, 2025. The Readings are conducted annually, basing at the facilities of the local Education Centre (director – Ms. N. Nikandrova). They gather each time large numbers of scientists, educationers, societal activists and local dwellers of all ages. Proveedings are published as a yearly almanach. This time the Readings were dedicated to geological and biological heritage of the Karelian peninsula, situated between the Baltic sea and the Ladoga Lake, living cultures of this vast region, as well as ways of preserving geo- and biodiversity, enhancing knowledge for climate action, reducing disaster risk and promoting resilience. As usual the meeting was led by a famous local writer and activist, Mr. V.Kudriavtsev. D.Spivak represented our Chair as member of the Organizing Committee, and gave a brief talk dedicated to ecological strategy of UNESCO.

Attachment: Program of the 12th Toksovo Readings (in Russian)

Photo by D.Spivak
21 April 2025

Conference at Pontifical Gregorian University

12th International Conference ‘Christianity in Azerbaijan: History and Modernity’ took place on April 10, 2025 at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Azerbaijan is a country, neighboring Russia in the Southern Caucasus. Its population speaks a Turkic language and belongs mostly to Shiite Islam. Christianity came to Azerbaijan in the 4th century A.D. from the Byzantine Empire and formed a special structure, called Church of Caucasian Albania. Christian faith has formed since those ancient times an important part of the religious landscape of Southern Caucasus. The conference gathered a number of scholars and experts in interfaith contacts from Azerbaijan, EU and the Russian Federation, the USA and Canada, Great Britain and Turkey, to name but a few. Our Chair was represented by Ms. G. Seidova, who gave a talk dedicated to the Role of City of Chora (Derbent) in History of Caucasian Albania and its Church.

Attachment: Program of the conference (in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian)

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