The role of science in the development of public diplomacy

The SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan hosted a video conference entitled "The Role of Science in the Development of Public Diplomacy in the 21st Century." It was timed to coincide with the significant date of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, which has been celebrated by UNESCO since 2002. Famous scientists, political scientists, historians, philologists, teachers, specialists in international relations and intercultural civilization were the participants of this forum. Head of the Science and Education Department of the SCO Public Diplomacy Center in the republic F.M. Otbasarov spoke about the importance of science in the modern world, in the development and strengthening of international and intercultural cooperation. The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Approval of the Concept of Development of Science until 2030" (dated October 29, 2010) identifies priority areas for reforming science, training highly qualified personnel and raising the scientific sphere to a qualitatively new level. All this, Fakhriddin Otbasarov said, obliges us to carry out constant and great work on introducing innovations in research activities.

At this event, UWED scientists Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor E.S. Sultanova and Doctor of Philology, Professor F.I. Muminova made their reports.

Professor Sultanova drew attention to the fact that the peoples of Central Asia have accumulated a great experience of scientific mutual cooperation. During the period of Amir Timur and Timurids, during the reign of Mirzo Ulubek, Alisher Navoi and the Jadids, scientific knowledge, enlightenment, art and literature were widely disseminated. At that time, schools, centers were created, scientific and literary competitions, discussions, conversations were organized. Teaching, the transfer of knowledge according to the Ustoz-shogird system was also very famous. The speaker pointed out the need to deeply study and promote among young people the experience of the great scientists of the East in conducting scientific research. Prof. F.I. Muminova presented a report on the topic “Media platform of public diplomacy”.

Interesting were the speeches of representatives of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan - director of the Institute of Botany K. Sh. Tojibaev, head of the department of the Center for Contemporary History M. A. Rakhimov, chief specialist of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan R.T. Khaidarova, candidate of philological sciences, translator Z.N. Isomiddinov, heads of departments of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies K.S. Nikolaeva and U. U. Mukhibova and others.

During the videoconference, during the discussion, was noted the importance of preparing and publishing a number of scientific, educational and translated literature, the authors of which were scientists, orientalists, philologists, historians of Uzbekistan and the SCO countries.

Fatima Muminova,
professor, editor of the publishing department of UWED