| Publication |
2010.
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| Summary/Abstract |
THE NEW CHALLENGES at the start of the new century and the challenging tasks in the realm of international relations in conditions of globalization make Russia's cultural ties increasingly important. Clearly global competition is getting a culture-and-civilization dimension. Globalization processes entail more than interpenetrating and mutually enriching cultures, and they also often endanger the cultural uniqueness of some countries and peoples. The threat of fault lines developing between civilizations calls for collective efforts to start cultural dialogues. Of ever greater importance in this context is to preserve cultural heritage and make greater use of cultural resources in the foreign policy arena.
When he addressed a conference of Russia's ambassadors and permanent representatives to international organizations, President Dmitry Medvedev stressed that "with all the sharp differences in the world arena, there is a clear desire to harmonize relations, establish dialogue and reduce conflicts."1 We should note in this connection that humanitarian cooperation is one of the most effective means to establish dialogue between civilizations, reach accord and understanding among nations, and to end confrontation in the world. It is culture and humanitarian aspects that are increasingly influencing, in the final analysis, the shaping of a modern-day multi-center system of global management and giving it a sense of direction.
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