Monday, June 10, 2013

Round Table in Russian National Library: Red Cross Red Crescent for peace without violence and intercultural dialogue


7 June 2013, Round Table session: “Intercultural dialogue and forming peace without violence: global and regional perspectives” took place in Russian National Library.
Event was organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Russian Red Cross jointly with Department of International law of Russian People’s Friendship University. 
During opening speeches Ms. Raisa Lukuttsova, President of Russian Red Cross, Dr. Davron Mukhamadiev, Head of IFRC Regional Representation in Russia and Professor Aslan Abashidze, Head of Department of International law of RUDN, Vice-chairman of UN Committee on economic, social and cultural rights underlined high importance of intercultural relations in the context of human rights and in the framework of global and regional challenges and threats. 
Presentations about Red Cross Red Crescent activities in different countries of the world took place significant place in the round table. Proffessor Aslan Abashidze in his presentation: «Role of International Committee of Red Cross in development of human rights” underlined valuable contribution of this organization in development and current condition of international humanitarian law and international law in general. 
Participants of round table had an opportunity to introduce with few interesting speeches on different aspects of International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, made by students and postgraduates of Department of International Law:
· Red Cross Red Crescent activity in Burundi. Jean –Baptist Bukuru, student of International Law;
· Humanitarian cooperation with Red Cross in Serbia, Petkovich Ivana, student of International Law;
· International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in Africa: challenges and barriers, Ava Samake postgraduate of International law
· International aspects of conflicts and non – tolerance on migration and ways of solution at global level. Alexandra Pavlova, postgraduate of International Law.
Special attention during discussion was paid to the specific aspects of intercultural dialogue in CIS environment: Davron Mukhamadiev in his speech reflected close historical cultural and language relations of population in CIS “ «people and cultures of this states has long –time neighboring history as well as joint development within one common state. Common social cultural realities became possible upon results of permanent interrelations and development of close and fare cultures”. 
In general, topics of round table and presented reports attracted high interest of participants – reresentatvies of different international agencies, state and academic institutions: UNHCR, Diplomatic Academy of Russian Foreign Ministry, Embassies, Afghan diaspora, .
For example, representative of Diplomatic Academy Mr. V.Polyakov, underlined importance of intercultural dialogue and role of Russian Red Cross in development of young generations of Russia, advisor of Tajik Embassy S.Rashidov mentioned about necessity of correct reflection of migration problems and intercultural relations in mass media, President of Afghan Diaspora Dr. Yaftali Makhmud Naman said about migration amnesty to normalize migration processes in Russia, Chairman of “Neighborliness” Foundation, executive secretary of public council of Federal Migration Service of Moscow city, Mr. Y.Moscowski, based on historical analysis of mentioned that migration processes in Russia currently in the stage of development and correct accents in this important issue well have important role in positive interrelations between different nations. 
In the framework of this round table, permanent Information Desk of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent was opened. Currently, Russian National Library received from IFRC more than 100 types of publications in English and Russian languages. All publications available for readers of the library. 
Prepared by: Regional Representation of International Federation of Red Cross and red Crescent Societies in Russia.