XIII RISA Convention: Intercultural Communication Section

On October 15–16 the 13th Russian International Studies Association Convention took place in MGIMO, Moscow. The Department of Philosophy named after A. F. Shishkin and the editorial board of the journal Concept: Philosophy, Religion, Culture hosted the Intercultural Communication section with the great support of the organizers of the Convention. Researchers that took part in the Section represented many countries such as Abkhazia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Spain, Iran, Moldova, Serbia and the USA, and many Russian cities — Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Chita, Rostov-on-Don, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, and Irkutsk. Online streaming gathered a wide audience from all over the world from Russia to Uruguay and Japan. Specialists from various academic backgrounds in social and cultural studies discussed intercultural communication in several sessions. Philosophers, linguists, political and cultural reseactors, specialists in arts, media, and regional studies were engaged in active debates on the presented reports and talks. The exchange of viewpoints and perspectives is beneficial for both experts in their field and interdisciplinary research: it introduces inspiring ideas, impressive results, and new visions. Moreover, the dialogue itself was an example of intercultural communication with the academic community involved in a fruitful and engaging conversation on the most exciting topics in the field.

Environmental Law for Transitions to Sustainability

This book presents inspiring ideas about how law can support the fundamental transition processes to a sustainable future and how it can provide guidance on the pathways to sustainability.

On the Occasion of the Anniversary of Ivan I. Dedov

On February 12, 2021, endocrinologists of our country celebrate the anniversary of Ivan Ivanovich Dedov, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Endocrinology Research Centre, President of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists, chief freelance expert-endocrinologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia Ivan Ivanovich Dedov — a famous scientist who plays a key role in the organization and ideology of the country’s endocrinological service. The editorial board and editorial board of the journal «Clinical and Experimental Thyroidology» join the numerous congratulations addressed to Academician I.I. Dedov, wishing to continue to constantly implement his inspiring ideas and plans.

Communication and Messages in Mexican Electronic Art

Artists try to communicate precise ideas or concepts about certain social or political problems in order to change their context and surroundings. In this research the focus is on examples of Mexican Electronic artworks which specifically generate stages of communication. The methods applied to study these artifacts were observation, interview and analysis of certain art works and then selectively comparing different artists and their artistic works to understand, with the help of an adequate qualitative research approach, as to how the art communicated with human viewers. We concluded that communication of an abstract image could lead to different meanings. Interpretation depends on the cultural context of the viewer, age and nationality, among other important factors. Nonetheless all Mexican electronic artists studied in this research have a positive message for society, including justice and the preservation of environment and several related inspiring ideas.

FRÖBEL’S BOOK „THE EDUCATION OF MAN“ AND ITS PEDAGOGICAL LEGACY

The study deals with the persistent pedagogical legacy of the German classical peda-gogue Friedrich Fröbel, which was preserved in the form of a work entitled “The Edu-cation of Man”, representing the congruence of pedagogy and psychology for the strategic education of children. It assesses the anchoring of Fröbel’s principles orient-ed to education and their persisting form. It identifies gnomic ideas that are relevant to the preschool and elementary pedagogy and provide high-quality, valuable advice and suggestions for today’s effective, systematic, purposeful education and upbringing of children of preschool and early school-age. It documents the continuity of develop-ment of his inspiring ideas with which Fröbel stimulated the professional public and thus contributed to the development of modern pedagogical and psychological think-ing.

Bibliolaboratory to educate librarians of the future

Bibliolaboratory is a learning conference for efficient librarians all over Russia and the near abroad countries. Its mission is to unite the young professionals for them to exchange new ideas, experience and inspiration. Every year, for three days, the Bibliolaboratory provides the site to discuss acute problems, get participants acquainted with the latest library projects, and to find inspiring ideas and partners for further development.

The Oral History Interview – A Relationship and Space of Trust

The oral history interview is a “multi-layered communicative event”. It is a unique, active event, reflective of a specific culture and of a particular time and space. Interviews, more precisely biographical interviews, are the tool I have been using for decades. The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee is, therefore, an essential question for me. I interview people to find out what happened to them, how they felt about it, how they recall it and what wider public memory they draw upon. Focused on the biographical narratives, as well as in-depth and repeated interviews, I have constantly faced ethical and moral questions in accordance with my role as a listener, and as a partner in the interview, but also as a scholar with the goal of using the interview in my scientific work. In my text, I would like to develop Hourig Attarian’s inspiring ideas on self-reflexivity, which brings to light the grey zones that we encounter in our work. This is often a difficult and fragile process. It is central to the connections that I create with the interviewees in my projects. These people always affect the course of my work, but also me personally. This balancing act is an exercise. I try to understand my own limits, I try to push my own boundaries, and assess how each of these circumstances impacts my research.

The Challenge of Postsecularism

Since September 11 attacks on World Trade Center, the word “postsecularism” became a kind of key to explain the existing tension between the secular and “indifferent toward religion” Western world, and the growing religious fundamentalism. However, the existence of conflict between secular and religious worldviews and the attempts to overcome it are not new. The aim of my paper is to present a few examples of successful endeavors of worldviews exchanges between believers and nonbelievers. But, first, a definition of postsecularism will be suggested together with some critical reflection on the concept of religion. I will also discuss some inspiring ideas and theories of postsecularism from the last decade. I would like to suggest a comprehension of postsecularism as a kind of pluralism.