International Scientific and Practical Conference «The main directions of the implementation of the action program for the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures»

On 15 November 2018 in Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, as part of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the university, the International Scientific and Practical Conference «The main directions of the implementation of the action program for the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures» was held.

The purpose of the conference is to equip the present and future generation with appropriate knowledge, new competencies, skills and means necessary for exchanges, communication and cooperation in various aspects and the whole breadth of their diversity - in interpersonal communication, between public communities, scientific and creative teams, in the field art and literature, cinematography, between nations and states of the world in the name of the progressive development of all mankind, building its worthy future.

Scientists, researchers, teaching staff, undergraduates, university doctoral students, as well as all those interested in discussing these problems attended the conference.

Addressing the participants of the conference, First Vice-Rector Maktagali Bektemesov, in his greeting, said: «Today Abai KazNPU is a platform for intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation for peace. Realizing the initiatives of Kazakhstan on the «Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures», a «Sector for the Rapprochement of Cultures» was created at the UNESCO Chair of Abai KazNPU. This sector carries out work in all areas of scientific and pedagogical activity».

The university for the educational process is developing an educational and methodical complex of the special course «Actual issues of convergence of cultures», including all the necessary programs». Maktagali Bektemesov noted the special significance of the meeting, spoke about the goals of the Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures, about the implementation of plans for their implementation through a number of planned activities.
The action plans for the Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures have four main directions and, accordingly, four main themes: promoting mutual understanding and mutual familiarity with cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity; laying the foundation for rooting common values; the dissemination of the principles and tools of intercultural dialogue through quality education and the media; promoting dialogue for sustainable development and its ethical, social and cultural aspects.

The honored guest and participant of the conference is a well-known public figure, People`s Writer of Kazakhstan, Hero of Labor, UNESCO representative Olzhas Suleimenov said that the history of the dialogue of cultures is deeply rooted in historical relationships and interpenetration of culture and languages at all levels: «... writers of the Soviet Union visited abroad and made a great contribution to the development of Soviet culture and literature. It is gratifying, he said, that the idea of celebrating the 10th anniversary of the rapprochement of cultures was initiated in Kazakhstan, and it is supported by the United Nations».

The main areas of work of the conference are connected with the study of the problems of ensuring the quality of higher education and the integration of educational systems.

The conference discussed issues of the program of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures in the Field of Cultural Heritage: psychological and pedagogical bases of the implementation of innovative technologies in modern education; information society and culture in the conditions of the 4th industrial modernization; sport as a cultural heritage of modern society; intangible cultural heritage as a means of educating young people in conditions of the development of public consciousness; problems of intercultural dialogue.

Department of Public Relations