unesco

27 June 2019

International Scientific Conference ‘Religious World of St.Petersburg’ (26 June, 2019, St.Petersburg, Russia)

International Scientific Conference ‘Religious World of St.Petersburg’ took place on June 26, 2019, at the historical hall of the Taurian Palace in St.Petersburg, Russia.

The conference was organized by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the City of St.Petersburg and the North-Western Federal District of Russia, and by the Administration of St.Petersburg. UNESCO Chair in Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Interreligious Dialogue, which works basing on the facilities of D.S.Likhachev Russian Scientific Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage (Moscow, Russian Federation) served as co-organizer of the conference.

The leaders of practically all the major Muslim communities of Russia, including Tatarstan and, Chechen Republic were present, as well as a number of prominent experts in the interfaith dialogue, and representatives of the Christian, Lamaist, and Jewish communities of St.Petersburg.

Dimitri Spivak presented an invited plenary talk, dedicated to Interfaith Dialogue in the Cultural Strategy of UNESCO. Two basic documents, relevant for this purpose, were analysed, i.e. Medium-term Strategy 2014-2021 (37 C/4), and Action Plan of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013-2022. Another focal point was formed by the general shift from the communicative aspect of dialogue to the cognitive one, which forms part of the research conducted in the framework of the UNESCO chair.In addition, D.Spivak briefly analyzed peculiarities of the strategy of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), which acts as a keynote partner of the Decade, and presented essential features of a new flagship project of UNESCO, entitled ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’.
24 May 2019

Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue and its place within UNESCO’s Cultural Strategy

In his capacity as UNESCO Chair in Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Inter-religious Dialogue and Director of the Saint-Petersberg Branch of the Russian Institute for Cultural Research Dr Dimitri Spivak was invited to speak at the Papal University of John Paul II on 6 May 2019.

Dr Spivak’s talk, which had as its main focus intercultural and interfaith dialogue and its place within UNESCO’s Cultural Strategy, reflected on actual tendencies within the theory of intercultural dialogue, especially the general shift from its communicative aspect to the cognitive one.

Pragmatic issues were examined — based on the analysis of UNESCO’s Strategic Objectives 6 and 7 of the Medium-Term Strategy 2014-2021 37 C/4. In the former case, intercultural dialogue was regarded as an essential part of the sustainability science and in the latter case it was presented as an integral component of the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage, especially the shared / cross-border one.

Actual trends in development of interfaith dialogue formed another focal point of Dr Spivak’s talk. The trends outlined were based upon the UN General Assembly Resolutions: (59/23 (2004) “Promotion of interreligious dialogue”; (60/10 (2005) “Promotion of interreligious dialogue and cooperation for peace”; (60/11 (2005) “Promotion of religious and cultural understanding, harmony and cooperation”; (60/150 (2005) “Combating defamation of religions”; (66/226 (2011) “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”; and the Action Plan of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013-2022. In conclusion, Dr Spivak looked at the key issues and prospects of the International Network of Interfaith Dialogue for Intercultural Understanding.
3 May 2019

Third Academic Forum of UNESCO Chairs/Unitwin Network On Intercultural And Interreligious Dialogue

Scientific secretary of the chair Michail Stepanov took part inThird Academic Forum of UNESCO Chairs/Unitwin Network On Intercultural And Interreligious Dialogue which took placeon May 1, 2019 in Baku (Azerbaijan). He presented report ‘Islamic education in multi-ethnic region: experience of the North Caucasus affiliation of the UNESCO Chair on Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Interreligious Dialogue’ (with the participation of Gulchohra Seyidova). Summary Report
30 April 2019

Notre Dame de Paris: The Cathedral’s Place in European History

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (“Our Lady of Paris”), part of the “Paris Banks of the Seine” UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffered a devastating fire on 15 April 2019.

Professor Dimitri Spivak, UNESCO Chair in Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Inter-religious Dialogue, provided expert commentary on Channel 5 (Russian Federal TV channel), discussing the cultural and religious significance of the Cathedral within Western culture. To watch, click HERE. (Commentary provided in Russian).
26 March 2019

The participation of the UNESCO Chair in the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network in the framework of the Jubilee X St. Petersburg International Educational Forum

March 26, 2019, the head of the UNESCO Chair for comparative studies of spiritual traditions, the specifics cultures and interreligious dialogue, operating at the Institute of Heritage, D. L. Spivak, deputy head A. V. Venkova and academic secretary M. A. Stepanov took part in the special venue “65 years of the network of UNESCO Associated Schools: history, experience, new thematic areas of activity” at the Jubilee X St. Petersburg International Educational Forum.
The event, which was attended by more than 300 people from different regions of Russia, was dedicated to the anniversary of the network of UNESCO associated schools in Russia and included a large-scale press conference with the participation of representatives of all UNESCO departments in the North-West Region, the Education Committee of St. Petersburg, the Committee for state control, use and protection of historical and cultural monuments of the Government of St. Petersburg.
The participants were greeted by the Executive Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, G. E. Ordzhonikidze, the national coordinator of the UNESCO Associated Schools project in the Russian Federation, the rector of TISBI Management University N. M. Pruss, the regional coordinator of the network of UNESCO Associated Schools in the region “Baltic-North” T.V. Vlasova. The conference discussed the protection and promotion of cultural heritage among students and young people, the development and consolidation of “best practices” and strategies for harmonizing intercultural and interreligious dialogue in UNESCO strategies, especially the work with objects of intangible cultural heritage.
As part of the event, the UNESCO Chair organized and conducted a master class “Work with objects of cultural heritage in UNESCO strategies”.
12 March 2019

The 4th National Congress of UNESCO chairs in the Russian Federation

The 4^th National Congress of UNESCO chairs in the Russian Federation took place on March 6-7, 2019, in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia), basing on the facilities of the Tisbi University, Kazan.

The Congress took place in presence of UNESCO Director General, Ms. A.Azoulay, and under general coordination of G.Ordzhonikidze (National Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO), and V.Egorov (Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs in Russia).Problems and prospects of about 60 UNESCO chairs, being active in Russia, in the fields of science, education, and culture, were presented and discussed.

At the meeting of the Coordination Committee, its four-year report (2015-2019) was presented, and its fellows for the next four-year period were elected. Applications of four major Russian universities for the initiation of new UNESCO chairs were discussed as well. Dimitri Spivak took part in the works of the Congress as head of one of the most respected chairs, working in the realm of culture, in Russia, and as a full member of the Coordination Committee. Problems of Culture and Dialogue were regarded in his plenary report, which was concentrated upon basic insights of the cultural strategy of UNESCO, including the paradigmatic shift from the concept of intercultural dialogue – to the rapprochement of cultures, as well as problems and prospects of interfaith dialogue on the vast territory of Russia, especially between Orthodox Christianity, Northern (Lamaist) Buddhism, and Islam, both Suni and Shi’a; and upon basic issues in the work of our UNESCO/UNITWIN Network of Interfaith Dialogue.
1 March 2019

Interdisciplinary Study of the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaidjan

In 2018, our Chair initiated a large-scale international project, aimed at interdisciplinary study of the cultural heritage of Azerbaidjan, including religious monuments and sacred sites of this ancient country, acting in close cooperation with the Caucasus History Centre, led by a prominent local scientist, Dr. R.Huseynov, as well the Central Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaidjan. An international working group was created, comprising keynote scientists from Azerbaidjan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Turkey. In April 2018, the Group gathered in Baku, Azerbaidjan, in order to launch the project as a whole, and to define its major outline and perspectives, in line with the lofty ideals of UNESCO, and its cultural strategy.
1 March 2019
27 February 2019
Events
- Fifth International Symposium: West/East In the Chronotope of Cultural Memory, 7 September, 2019, Saint-Petersburg. Russia. Co-organised by the UNESCO Chair on Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Interreligious Dialogue, the Fifth International Symposium: West/East In the Chronotope of Cultural Memory explored intercultural dialogue, with a primary focus on the Buddhist world. A number of prominent speakers from China, Korea, Mongolia and Russia were in attendance. To view the symposium program, click here.
- The Sixth International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Vajrayana Buddhism in Russia: topical issues of history and socio-cultural analytics‘, 19-22 October, 2018, Saint-Petersburg. Russia.
- International Summer School ‘Complex Development of Territories with Unique Natural, Historical and Cultural Heritage, basing on the Example of the Solovki Archipelago’, 17-25August2018, Solovki, Russia (in cooperation with the National Research University ‘High School of Economics’, and M.V.Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University).
- Photo competition ‘St.Petersburg as an Object of World Heritage’. Co-organizers: Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO; Youth Council, Moscow District, St.Petersburg; Youth Activity House ‘Pulkovets’. St.Petersburg, Russia, 2017.
- City competition ‘Visiting St.Petersburg together with UNESCO’. Co-organizers: National Coordination Committee of UNESCO Associated Schools of the Russian Federation; Committee for State control, Usage and Protection of Objects of History and Culture, Administration of St.Petersburg; Secondary school No.639, 15 December 2017, St.Petersburg, Russia.
- 4^thInternational Interdisciplinary Symposium ‘West-East in Cross-Cultural Studies’, Institute of Philosophy, St.Petersburg State University, 21 October 2017, Russia (in cooperation with Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies, South Korea).
- 1^stNational Conference of Secondary School Students ‘Role of Young People in Forming Sustainable Development: Ecology, New Technologies, Innovative Approaches’, 16 March 2017, St.Petersburg, Russia (in cooperation with Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs in the Russian Federation, et al.)
- International Summer School ‘Complex Development of Territories with Unique Natural, Historical and Cultural Heritage‘, basing on the Example of the Solovki Archipelago’, 14-22 August 2017, Solovki, Russia (in cooperation with the National Research University ‘High School of Economics’, and M.V.Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University).
- 4th Scientific conference ‘Psychotechniques and Altered States of Consciousness’, 8-10 December 2016, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
- Round Table ‘Culture, Dialogue and Globalization’, conducted as part of the program of the 20th International Congress in Aesthetics, 24-29 July 2016, Seoul, S. Korea.
- The 3^rd Russian Congress of UNESCO Chairs 14-15 December 2015, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation.
- The 3rd International Conference ‘Psychotechniques and Altered States of Consciousness’, which was co-organized by our Chair, 19-21 March 2015, Russian Federation.
- International Conference ‘Derbent – City of Three Religions’, 25 March 2015, Derbent, Russian Federation.
- The fourth international research and practice conference ‘Vajrayana Buddhism in Russia: traditions and innovations’, 10-13 October 2014, Astrakhan, Russian Federation.
- 4^thRussian Congress in Cultural Studies with International Participation ‘Personality in the Space of Culture’, St.Petersburg, Russia, 29-31 October 2013.
- International Conference ‘Russia and Mongolia: Cultural Contacts and Specificity of Cultures’, Russia, 25-28 June 2013.
- International Conference ‘Culture of the Mongolian-speaking nations in the Globalized Realm’, Elista, Kalmyk Republic, Russia, 24-27 October 2012.
- The 3^rdInternational Congress ‘Russia and Poland: Memories of Empires / Empires of Memory’, 26 – 28 April 2012, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
- International Expert Meeting in the framework of the Project on conducting interdisciplinary studies and publication of the collective international monograph «World religions in the context of contemporary culture: new perspectives of dialogue and mutual understanding» 26 – 27 April 2011, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
- UNESCO Chairs’ workshop“Christianity and Islam in the Context of Contemporary Culture” took place in St. Petersburg, June 2–3, 2009.
- The 3rd Russian Congress with international participation for Cultural Research “Creativity in the Space of Tradition and Innovation”, October 27 to 29, in St.Petersburg, Russia.
- The Second Russian Congress in Cultural Research “Cultural Diversity: from the Past to the Future” took place in St. Petersburg in partnership with the UNESCO Moscow Office on 25–29 November 2008.
- Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary international congress ‘New Dynamics of Plurality Paradigms of Coexistense and Recognition’ was held (June 22 — 25, 2006, UNESCO, Paris)
- The First Russian Congress in Cultural Research was held (August 25–29, 2006, St. Petersburg)
- The Eighth International Congress in Philosophy and Culture ‘Unity and Diversity in Religion and Culture’ was prepared and conducted (January 27 – 30, 2005, Seattle, USA).
- A workshop «Serfdom in Russia and its abolition: history and present-day issues» was prepared and conducted (December 17, 2004 St. Petersburg).
- The Seventh International Congress in Philosophy and Culture ‘Dynamics of Values in Contemporary Culture: Reflections on Extreme & Optimal Conditions for Cultural Development’ was prepared and conducted (August 27 – 31, 2004, St. Petersburg).
- The Sixth International Congress in Philosophy and Culture ‘Differentiation and Integration of Worldviews: Dynamics of Dialogue between Cultures in the 21st Century’ was prepared and conducted (October 29– November 2, 2003, St. Petersburg).
- A cycle of philosophical-religious talks ‘Ontology of Dialogue’ was held (June 16 – 21, 2001, St. Petersburg).
- The Fifth International Congress in Philosophy and Culture ‘Creation, Creativity, Reproductions: Wisdom of Creator, Reason of Dedalus and the Cunning of the Hacker’ was prepared and conducted (September 7-12, 2002, St. Petersburg).
- The Eighth International Philosophical and Cultural Symposium ‘Intellect, Imagination, Intuition: Reflections on the Horizons of Consciousness‘ was prepared and conducted (September 17-21, 2000, St. Petersburg).
22 February 2019
Dimitri L. SPIVAK
Chair

Ph.D., Dr.Sc. (linguistics, psychology)

Head, Center of Basic Studies in the Realm of Culture, Russian Scientific Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage, Moscow, Russia.
Principal Expert, Human Brain Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St.Petersburg, Russia. Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Cultural Research, St.Petersburg, Russia.

Basic areas of research:
Basic issues in culture, basic issues in tthe cultural strategy of UNESCO.

Basic publications:
- Dialogue and heritage in the cultural strategy of UNESCO // Culture and Dialogue (The Netherlands – USA), 2017, Vol.5, No.2, p.242-252;
- Christianity and Islam in the Context of Contemporary Culture: Perspectives of Interfaith Dialogue from Russia and the Middle East/ Eds. D.Spivak, N.Tabbara. – St.Petersburg / Beirut, 2009. – 287 p.;
- Metaphysics of St.Petersburg. Vol.1-3. – St.Petersburg: Aletheia, 2003-2005. – 1456 p. (in Russian);
- Altered States of Consciousness: Psychology and Linguistics. – St.Petersburg: Juventa Publishers; State University of St.Petersburg, 2000. – 296 p. (in Russian);
- Fundamental problems of cultural research / Ed. D.Spivak. Vol. 1–7. – Moscow-St.Petersburg: Novy chronograph, Eidos, Aletheia, 2008-2009. – 2990 p. (in Russian).

Chair