International Scientific and Practical Conference “Cultural Diplomacy: The Word of Politics and Dialogue”

On October 18, 2024, the Faculty of International Relations hosted the international conference “Cultural Diplomacy: The Word of Politics and Dialogue,” organized in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty and the Embassy of Italy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Scholars, experts, and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions participated in the event.

At the plenary session of the conference, welcoming speeches were delivered by Member of the Board of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Zhamila Nurmatovna Aytzhanova, and the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Zhuldyz Talgatovna Sairambaeva. One of the key speakers was the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Marco Alberti, who delivered a speech on the significance of cultural diplomacy in today’s world. At the end of his speech, the Ambassador requested the screening of a video filmed at Charyn Canyon featuring a young Italian pianist, intending to showcase the beauty of Kazakhstan’s nature through his music in honor of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Kazakhstan.

Among the distinguished guests and speakers were the Head of the Political Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Almasha Arystanovna Arenova, and the Representative of the UN Department of Global Communications, Vlastimil Samek. They shared their views on the role of diplomacy in promoting intercultural interaction. The Cultural Attaché of the Italian Embassy to Republic of Kazakhstan, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty, Edoardo Crisafulli, also delivered an engaging report.

After the plenary session, the conference continued in sections. The moderator, Head of the Department of International Relations and World Economy, Gulnara Baikushikova, presented the speakers’ reports, which focused on the soft power of cultural diplomacy in the context of the global economy, national aspects of language education, and music as an element of cultural diplomacy. Special attention was given to the speech by Lucia Beltrami, Director of the Italian Language Center “Di più,” who emphasized the importance of individuals in promoting cultural diplomacy.

Participants recognized the importance of cultural diplomacy in conditions of global interdependence and highlighted the need for intercultural dialogue to overcome international barriers. The conference concluded with recommendations for the development of cultural diplomacy and international cooperation. The organizers expressed their gratitude to the participants and partners for their active involvement, particularly noting the support of the Italian Institute of Culture and the Embassy of Italy in Kazakhstan.