Moscow, June 29, 2022
Photo: sinfo-mp.ru
On June 28, 2022, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church-Society and Media Relations, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, Professor of Mosow State Institute for National Relations, Vladimir Legoida took part in the international conference entitled, “Russia and Donbas: Prospects for Cooperation and Integration”. During the conference, he made a presentation on the topic, “The place and role of science, education and culture in the cooperation and integration of Russia and Donbass", reports Patriarchia.ru .
Legoida in particular discussed the role of culture and education in these communications.
“We are talking about integration at a time when there is a tendency in the world to aggravate contradictions between peoples. One of the first signals of this is the new ideology of ‘cancel culture’.”
Legoida pointed out that integration means searching for what we have in common, what unites the two peoples. And this can guarantee unity in the future: “timeless, extending beyond political and other conjecture. Integration is connected with the awareness of identity.” Russian culture, Russian education, and Russian science have a special meaning for Donbas in this context.”
“Of course, it is necessary to have plans for the restoration of cities, infrastructure, communications, trade, etc. However, along with economic integration there should be the integration of education and culture—simultaneously, in parallel with each other, and not sequentially.”
Legoida also spoke about the state of education in general.
“As a teacher who has devoted more than a quarter of a century to work in higher education, I note that education is in crisis not only in Russia, but all over the world. What is a ‘standard education’? What is higher education? What is it for? No one gives clear answers to these seemingly simple questions today. Now in the educational space of Russia, these issues have received a new voice thanks to the withdrawal of our country from the Bologna system and the discussion of what should become the basis of education in the future.”
He also talked about education and science as “strategic”.
“It is education that unites nations, unites generations… The same can be said about the popularization of culture and science. It is known that cooperation between Russian and Donetsk universities has developed before, but this year new opportunities have opened up," he continued.
At the end of his speech, the Chairman of the Department for Church-Society Relations and the Media emphasized the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in rebuilding unity among peoples and cultures, organizing dialogue and harmonizing relationships.
“The Church considers it its indispensable duty to take care of and support people, not only spiritual caring for them, but also providing charitable assistance to all those in need. With the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, donations, food and clothing are regularly collected in the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church to be given as humanitarian aid to all those affected by these difficult events. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly spoken about the current situation in Ukraine,” Legoida said.
"I am sure that such a positive experience of the Church’s mission in the field of charity should be extended to cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. Our synodal institutions and theological schools remain open to such interaction," concluded Church spokesman Legoida.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
