Experts called the Final Document of the International Forum in Belgorod a Fundamentally Developed Platform for Ascetic Activity and a Universal Roadmap for Public Diplomacy at the Present Stage

The Belgorod Manifesto, a document that followed the III International Forum “Truth and Morality - a Strategic Resource of Public Diplomacy,” received a wide public response. The Forum was held on October 10-12, 2023 in Belgorod and brought together representatives from more than 40 countries of Eurasia, Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

The initiators and organizers of the international dialogue platform were: the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in the United Arab Emirates and the Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shukhov. The forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, as well as the A. M. Gorchakov Foundation for the Support of Public Diplomacy and the Association of Arab Universities.

One of the main motives voiced at the International Forum - the formation of new imperatives of the strategic agenda is primarily related to the understanding of morality and truth as a strategic resource for making the right decisions regarding the establishment of a sustainable and secure multipolar world. Public diplomacy can and should play a special role in this process.

Chairman of the Council of the Association of Russian Diplomats (Russia), Member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly Igor Khalevinsky gave his assessment of the final document of the international forum in Belgorod:

“In the context of tectonic changes in the international situation, when the West is collapsing everything possible: the UN Charter, generally accepted norms of behavior in interstate relations, the main message of the Manifesto about the synergy of public diplomacy, which will lead to the restoration of common sense, the determining role of law, the exposure of falsehood and disinformation “is of strategic importance,” noted Igor Vasilievich, “The current West is a society living according to the ominous canons described by George Orwell in the novel “1984.” A very correct emphasis on working with young people. The role of education, science, culture and information is highlighted as the main tracks of activity of non-governmental organizations and the expert community. The manifesto is the result of an interested discussion at a very representative Forum in Belgorod. This is a cluster of ideas from messengers from all continents. The manifesto is a fundamentally developed platform for ascetic activity and a universal “road map” of public diplomacy at the present stage.”