View from St. Petersburg to the development of intercultural dialogue in the modern world

The chairman of the St. Petersburg Association for International Cooperation Margarita Mudrak highlighted the significance of such an important event for Saint-Petersburg. Multiculturalism became the main theme of discussion. This theme was chosen not at once, because European politicians have acknowledged the failure of the policy of multiculturalism. "At first this idea raised doubts, however, we must consider multiculturalism not only as a policy, but also as a process which has not ceased to exist", - said the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Professor of St. Petersburg State University Vladimir Fokin. According to the participant of the event, the head of the Institute of Finland in St. Petersburg Ms. Elina Kahla, politicians and researchers now prefer to avoid the concept of multiculturalism, but an alternative still has not been invented.

The theme of cultural diversity addressed the guests of honor of the conference: Consul on Science and Technology of China's Consulate General in St. Petersburg Mr. Mao Yuan and Consul General of India in St. Petersburg Mr. Arun Kumar Sharma.

Multiculturalism is a complex process that is not limited to the preservation of cultural diversity in the world, it is directly linked with all aspects of immigrants assimilation.

"In the US, there is an amount of opportunities to preserve the culture of  immigrants: newspapers in foreign languages, social networks. Earlier the concept of "melting pot" was very popular, but today ​​American culture is considered as a "salad". This statement makes sense because national cultures of immigrants are saved, but slightly modified, e.g., Italian or Chinese cuisine in the United States still differ from the Italian or Chinese dishes in Italy and China", - said Consul for Cultural Affairs and Press of the US Consulate General in St. Petersburg Ms. Susan Boden.

At the same time the director of the Danish Institute in St. Petersburg Finn Andersen paid attention to the migration crisis in Europe and the issue of receiving refugees.

Key factors of the creation of a common cultural space of the Commonwealth of Independent States at the conference highlighted the Secretary of the Permanent Commission on Culture, Information, Tourism of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Konstantin Pshenko: "a lot of work has been done, but the development of the dialogue may suffer from the ignorance of the achievements of each other. To tell the truth, the Internet, which is considered as the mean of communication, may, in turn, reinforce existing stereotypes."

On the second day the conference continued its work within the framework of three sections. Presentations were made by young researchers and professors of St. Petersburg State University. Migration policy and the preservation of cultural heritage, foreign cultural policy and public diplomacy, sport and health care, as well as the development of tourism in Russia were key topics of the sections.

The moderators of the sections were Professor Vladimir Fokin, Associate professor Natalia Bogolyubova, Associate professor Yulia Nikolaeva.