"Public diplomacy — the way to world peace"

As part of the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Сooperation Organization, the SCO center for people's diplomacy in Uzbekistan held an essay contest among students on the theme: "Public diplomacy — the way to world peace".

The competition also provided a unique opportunity for students of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and other educational institutions of the republic to reflect more widely on the essence of people's diplomacy, issues of improving relations, mutually beneficial cooperation between peoples, as well as to become more familiar with the culture, traditions, religion and lifestyle of the peoples of the SCO countries. The event is aimed at creating conditions for the display of talents, supporting independent, free-thinking and identifying gifted, talented representatives of the Republic's youth, and in general at revealing the creative personality and developing social activity of the young generation.

On June 30, this year, on Youth Day, the Committee on interethnic relations and friendly relations with foreign countries held an award ceremony for the winners of the competition. The winner was awarded diplomas and valuable gifts from the organizers

Head of the SCO people's diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan Kabuljon Sabirov, thanking the contest participants, noted that the main goal of the contest is to encourage talented students to work, increase their interest in the culture, history, traditions and values of the SCO countries, as well as to understand the essence of people's diplomacy, reflect on the issues of establishing good-neighborliness, interethnic and interfaith harmony, and in General, the development of inter-civilizational dialogue between peoples.

The Chairman of the jury, the head of the creative group of the сenter, candidate of philological sciences, Zukhriddin Isomiddinov noted that all the received works were carefully considered, the best of which were presented for the award. When selecting essays, originality, artistic skill and disclosure of the topic were taken into account.

According to a member of the jury, professor, doctor of political science at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy E.Sultanova, people's diplomacy is primarily informal contacts of ordinary people or public organizations that contribute to improving relationships, mutually beneficial cooperation, a better understanding of the culture, traditions and features of life of citizens of different countries. We can say that any citizen of Uzbekistan who attends various international forums, symposiums, conferences, and congresses, especially if they informally discuss topical issues of modern life with representatives of other countries, is an unofficial messenger of our civil society, representing our country in the international arena.

Also, at the event were the Deputy Dean of the faculty "International relations" of UWED, S.Tilyaxodjayeva she emphasized that today's people's diplomacy is one of the most important concepts of political communication. People's diplomacy includes state programs in the field of culture, science, and education that are used to promote the country's national interests by informing and influencing foreign audiences. Also, S.Tilyaxodjayeva told about the work carried out between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the SCO center for people's diplomacy of Uzbekistan.

The winner, who took the honorary First place, was a 1st-year student of the faculty of International relations Djamalov Fazliddin Oybek ugli. Third place went to Ilmiddinova Madinahon Abdulhamidovna, 1st year student of the faculty "International relations".

Certificates of appreciation were also awarded to the jury members and students who scored excellent marks on the 100-point system, but were not included in the list of winners of the competition.

As you know, people's diplomacy within the SCO can serve as a good basis for understanding the mentality of the world's countries, contributing to the further strengthening of relations of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation. There is no doubt that the development of intercultural dialogue in the interests of the peoples living in the SCO space, the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity, and cooperation in the study of the cultural and natural heritage of the region contribute to the further development of contacts between people.