International experts highly appreciated Ugra's experience in preserving the traditional culture of indigenous peoples

In April 2024 in Khanty-Mansiysk on the margins of the V All-Russian Forum of National Unity under the auspices of the International Organization of Northern Regions “Northern Forum” an international teleconference “Traditional Knowledge: Acquisition, Transmission and Protection” was held, during which the participants exchanged practices of preserving the culture and life of indigenous peoples.

The teleconference brought together representatives of indigenous peoples of the North, the Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples of the Russian Federation, the Northern Forum, the international community from Mexico, Indonesia, Romania, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Moldova, Syria, Egypt, representatives of the Russian Center for Science and Culture “Russian House” in Budapest, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and federal experts. The participants exchanged experience and talked about the best practices related to the support of indigenous peoples of the North and the world.

The moderators of the International Teleconference were Tatyana Dyatlova, member of the Presidium of the Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples of the Russian Federation, and Natalia Zabolotskikh, Director General of the autonomous non-commercial organization “Eurasian Center for Project Initiatives.”

Tatiana Dyatlova noted that Ugra's experience in supporting the indigenous peoples of the North was of interest to international experts from among the indigenous peoples of the world. Projects on the development of green economy in the places where indigenous peoples live, projects “Green IT Camp,” “Camp-school-garden” were presented at the 32nd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. From April 15 to 21, 2024, Tatyana Alexandrovna took part in the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York as a member of the Russian delegation, presented projects on the development of green economy in the places where indigenous peoples live, projects “Green IT Camp,” “Camp-school-garden.”

Vladimir Vasiliev, executive director of the Northern Forum, addressed the participants from Tomsk, where the Second Forum of Associations and Consortiums of Northern Territories was held. “In cooperation with the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of Russia, this year we are planning a number of events at the venues of the Eastern Economic Forum and the Northern Forum on Sustainable Development. The resumption of the Arctic Council activities gives us hope for the continuation of cooperation on the digitalization of indigenous culture and heritage,” he said.

The Ugra experience in implementing projects to preserve the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples was highly appreciated by the experts from foreign countries who participated in the teleconference. They expressed their desire to continue cooperation with the district beyond the forum platform, and also presented their practices of preserving the linguistic environment and creativity of original authors of indigenous peoples.

The invited experts shared their own experience of existing cooperation with Ugra and noted that the Ugra practices presented during the teleconference could be scaled both in Russia and abroad.

Director of the SCO Center for Public Diplomacy in Uzbekistan Kabuljon Sabirov noted the value of the existing relationship with the autonomous district and offered new prospects for cooperation with the Public Diplomacy Foundation “Eurasian Association of Women Regional Leaders,” with which a cooperation agreement was signed in April 2022.

Vahan Sahakyan, People's Diplomat from Armenia, received the Ugra delegation in Yerevan during the cultural and educational mission, during which agreements were reached on cooperation on the platform of the international project “North for Victory. Everyone for the Cause of Peace” international project. Vladislav Dumanov from Moldova, president of the historical and cultural organization “Kantemir,” noted that it is important for the peoples to preserve historical memory. “We support the media expedition “Victory in our hearts.” We hope that our patriotic projects will be connected with Khanty-Mansiysk through people's diplomacy and will be able to develop and scale with the support of the government of the autonomous district,” he said.

In her address, Natalia Zabolotskikh called public diplomacy the tool of “soft power” that brings our meanings to the outer contours and helps to look for interesting creators. “It is very important to create such platforms for dialog, where there is an opportunity to present specific projects and practices, to share experience and mechanisms to preserve culture and traditions. It is important to preserve them, because this is what preserves our integrity and orderliness of life,” Natalia Viktorovna stated.

At the end of the meeting, Natalia Zabolotskikh announced that the International competition “Leader of People's Diplomacy” will be held in Ugra in 2024.