Programme

A new multipolar world is emerging today as a world of common unity, at the core of which are people upholding unshakable spiritual and moral values common to all humankind. Bridges of understanding and trust can be more easily built using the language of people’s diplomacy and relying on deep roots and national traditions. It is people’s diplomacy that is called upon to humanize international relations: the multi-faceted interaction between civil societies and cultures lies at the core of diplomatic relations and friendship between peoples. People’s diplomacy requires common international efforts to bring together modern leaders, experts, representatives of the business community and the cultural and humanitarian sphere, and all those who care about the fate of the world. In this vein, ever more attention is being paid to youth diplomacy which, in the context of the formation of a new world order, is fundamental to our future. Right now, it is vital that we identify the correct approach to cooperation, based on common meanings and values. A solid foundation for building the future together is possible if we strengthen international youth cooperation, support youth initiatives and create reliable communications.

Moderators
Natalia Zabolotskikh, Сoordinator of the International Competition "Leader of Public Diplomacy"
Roman Chukov, Chairman of the Board, Russian Center for the Promotion of International Initiatives

Roman Chukov

Chairman of the Board, Russian Center for the Promotion of International Initiatives

Panellists
Denis Ashirov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)
Zheng Wei, Secretary General, SCO China Committee for Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation (online)
Alexey Dzermant, Head, Center for the Study and Development of Continental Integration "Northern Eurasia" (online)
Maria Zakharova, Director, Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Stanislav Korolev, Director, The SCO National Center for Public Diplomacy
Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (online)
Yury Palamarchuk, Deputy Secretary General, Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly; President, Council for Interethnic Cooperation of the Leningrad Region
Dmitry Polikanov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)
Christina Romanenko (Louati), President, Tunisian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Winner of the International Competition "Leader of Public Diplomacy"
Sabirov Kabuljon, Director, SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan
Svetlana Smirnova, Chairman of the Council, All-Russian Public Organization "Assembly of the Peoples of Russia"
Sameep Shastri, President, Thr Confederation of Youth Leaders; Vice Chairman, BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (online)

Denis Ashirov

Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)

Maria Zakharova

Director, Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Born December 24, 1975, in Moscow
Graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1998 in the field of international journalism. Has the diplomatic rank of Envoy extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the first class.
Joined the Russian Foreign Ministry after graduation. Worked as an editor of the monthly magazine “Diplomatic bulletin”. Acted as the head of the Media operational monitoring department of the Information and Press Department. Worked as Head of the press service of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN in New York from 2005 to 2008. Held various positions in the Central Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2011. Worked as Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2015.
Appointed Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2015.
Candidate of Historical Sciences.
Member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy of Russia, a member of the Board of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaks English and Chinese fluently.

Stanislav Korolev

Director, The SCO National Center for Public Diplomacy

Konstantin Kosachev

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Dmitry Polikanov

Deputy Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)

Education
In 1998 graduated the Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO). One year later he defended his PhD in political science there.
Professional background
In 2003-2006, he was Director for Public and International Relations at the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM). In 2007-2012, he was at the leading positions in the United Russia party. In 2012-2013, he was First Deputy Executive Director of the Russian Geographical Society. In 2014 he helped to set up and headed the Con-nection charity foundation, the goal of which is to establish the sustainable system of assistance to the deafblind people in the Russian regions.
Member of the Expert Council at the Russian Government, Public Council of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Council on Charity in Social Sphere at the Russian Government, a number of ministerial and inter-agency working groups. Since 2017 Dr. Polikanov presides the Executive Board of the Donors’ Forum. Member of the board of a number of NGOs, including the Board of Trustees of the “Lake Baikal” charity.
Dr Polikanov is the author of over 100 publications on international and European security issues, Russian foreign and domestic policy. He was also a top manager at the PIR Center, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Federal Social Security Fund of the Russian Federation.
Hobby
Exotic travels in Russia and abroad.